Page 2 of Marrying the Wrong Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 2)

Copyright © 2017 by Callie Hutton. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Scandalous is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Erin Molta

Cover design by Erin Dameron-Hill

Cover art from RomanceNovelCovers.com

ISBN 978-1-63375-947-3

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition April 2017

To all those who love their fur babies more than anything else.

Chapter One

London, England, April 1820

Lady Arabella Danvers stared in horror as the Earl of Pembroke groaned and slid his vast body off the settee, landing with a thump onto one knee. He took her hand in his fleshy, sweaty one. “My lady—”

She sucked in a breath. “No, please, my lord. Do rise. Sit alongside me.” She patted the settee, frantic to keep him from proposing. She’d known for some time what his intentions were but had hoped her lack of interest would have dissuaded him. Of course, she’d been well trained in how to word a refusal-of-marriage offer, but each time she’d had to do it, she’d suffered for days afterward seeing the pain of rejection in the gentleman’s eyes.

“I must say this, Lady Arabella. I have admired you for some time now. You must know of my interest—”

“Perhaps I should send for more tea…” She attempted to tug her hand loose from his grip, to no avail. Her mother had left the room several minutes ago, leaving her not properly chaperoned, so apparently, Pembroke’s fumbling attempt at a proposal was not a surprise to Mother.

“I hold you in a great deal of esteem.” He continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “I would like at this time to ask you—”

“My lady?” Arabella breathed a sigh of relief as the butler, Tavers, entered the drawing room. “Lady Elizabeth and Miss Caroline Davis have come to call.”

She smiled brightly at Lord Pembroke. “Perhaps you should rise, my lord.”

He glowered at the butler then gave Arabella a wan smile. “Yes, yes, of course. I will continue this another time.” He awkwardly shifted his girth to stand but instead fell halfway, practically landing on her.

“Lady Arabella, how wonderful to see you.” Lady Elizabeth and her cousin, Miss Caroline Davis, glided into the room. Pembroke rearranged himself, red faced and puffing, attempting to regain his dignity. Arabella hopped up to greet her guests. The three kissed the air next to each other’s cheeks, exclaiming over gowns and bonnets. No one seemed to notice Lord Pembroke, who gave a soft cough.

“Oh dear, my lord, I did not see you there.” Lady Elizabeth gave him a slight curtsy, as did Miss Caroline, who murmured, “My lord.”

“Good afternoon, ladies.” He turned to Arabella. “I will leave you now to visit with your friends. May I have the pleasure of escorting you on a drive tomorrow afternoon?”

Lady Elizabeth and Miss Caroline both turned to Arabella with raised eyebrows.

“Yes, indeed. Lady Arabella would love a ride tomorrow afternoon, wouldn’t you, dear?” Arabella’s missing mother, Lady Melrose, hurried into the room, all sunshine and happiness.

“Actually, Mother, I had planned to…” She halted, unable to think fast enough.