The Scandalous Proposal of Lord Bennett by Raven McAllan

Author:Raven McAllan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Eligible Bachelor, Engagement, Fiction, Romance, Attraction, Proposal, Unforgotten, Lord Bennett, Advances, London Society, Regency, Unwanted, Adult, Marriage Of Convenience, Surrender, 19th Century, Forever Love, Predicament, Seduction, Society Ball, Notorious Rake, Historical, Beguiling, England, Debutante, Forbidden, Scandalous, Past, Britain, Trust
ISBN: 9781474045018
Publisher: Carina
Published: 2015-09-22T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Ben circumvented the kitchen, where he could hear Mrs Titchmarsh singing – quite tunefully – as she made breakfast. He knew she would then put the food into chafing dishes for them, leave a simple picnic lunch, and only return a few hours later to tidy the bedroom and sitting room. He’d arranged it that way, thinking a nice stroll or ride, a lunch outside and some alfresco lovemaking would be the perfect way to while away the few hours she would need. How far he would get he had no idea. His wife and the weather had put paid to that.

Once in the yard, he cursed the fact he’d forgotten footwear, and even though it had stopped raining it was wet underfoot and his toes curled up in protest. Ben put the dog down on to the damp slabs, and shifted from one foot to the other while the puppy sniffed the ground and wandered off into a corner to do her business. He’d have to remember to come and remove the evidence before someone slid on it and cursed him and animals to high heaven.

Brodie was soon back. Evidently she disliked the fine mizzle that now coated them as much as Ben did. She whined. Ben stared at her.

‘You can walk.’

Brodie yipped.

‘Oh yes, you can. Don’t look at me with those big puppy dog eyes. I’m not falling for that pitiful woe is me look.’ Ben stopped speaking and shook his head. Why was he arguing with a dog? ‘Now she has me as cracked-brained as her. In now.’ He pointed towards the open door.

Brodie sat on Ben’s foot.

‘Dammit, dog, your arse is cold.’

Brodie woofed. In agreement? Ben stared at the puppy. Hard. He tried to move his foot. Brodie yawned.

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake.’ Ben scooped the dog under his arm and turned on his heel. He kicked the door shut behind him, and the pain shot from his toes to his groin. ‘Dammit to hell, that hurt. You are a liability. If you don’t want to be horsemeat you’d best learn some manners.’ Brodie licked his hand. ‘Enough. Yes, all right, you’re sorry and it wasn’t your fault. Now listen well. This carrying lark will not become the norm, do you understand? I’m not conveying you around everywhere. You have four legs to my two. You need to use them.’

‘I beg your pardon, my lord?’

The soft country accent made him look up. ‘Ah, sorry Mrs T.’ Dammit all. He was in his banyan, barefoot and carrying a puppy under his arm. And talking to it. What on earth would the woman think of her employer? ‘I was chastising the dog.’ He cringed inwardly. That sounded even worse. Luckily Mrs T didn’t seem to notice.

‘Bless it. When did you become a dog owner then?’ She ignored Ben’s state of dress and chucked Brodie under the chin. ‘Aren’t you a beauty? Where did you get a whippet from, my lord? I don’t know of anyone with one around here.

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