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Unacceptable.
“Tell me how you obtained such an item, and perhaps I’ll return it.” The strength it took to keep a flirtatious note from entering his voice almost brought him tohisknees.
Where the hell was her chaperone? Surely, her parents didn’t allow her to gallivant about London alone. Because Miss Netherfield obviously required a firm hand of discipline judging by her reading material.
“No.”
One word and the sight of her pretty lips forming the refusal caused his palm to itch. Never in his life had Hugh been interested in spanking a woman. Or tying her up in a show of ownership. But this young chit seemed to bring out the barbarian in him.
A warning, to be sure.
“Father, give it back. She’s not your daughter. You can’t dictate the rules of her lifeasyou do ours,” Mary interjected, her arms crossing over her chest.
“True, but I doubt her parents would approve of my returning such athing, so it will be staying in my possession. Shall I escort you out, Miss Netherfield?”
A pause ballooned between them before daggers of ice pierced his skin as she glared at him in defeat.“That won’t be necessary, my lord.”
Hugh supposed he should be grateful she didn’t cause more of a scene like he’d half-hoped,half-feared. He couldn’t exactly turn her over his knee in front of his daughters, no matter how delicious he imagined Miss Netherfield’s plump arsewould look with his palm reddening the round cheeks.
What the devil?
Where did that thought come from?
Dropping into a perfunctory curtsy, grayskirtswishing with the movement, she dipped her head in a semblance of deference for his title. “Good day, my lord.” Sparingonelast glance at his daughters,Miss Netherfieldswept out of the room like a regal queen leaving court, and Hugh felt like he could finally breathe again—praying oxygen would set his mind to rights.
“How could you be so rude?” Sarah scolded once the three of them were alone. “It’s only a book. Nothing to elicit such a dramatic reaction as forcingClarato go.”
“A bookfull of the pictures and words between these pages does not belong in my home and certainly not in front of my daughters. I’m afraid your friend will no longer be welcome atCovingtonHall, and I’d prefer it if you avoided her company in the future.”
A silver lining, herealized.
Separating hisdaughtersfrom Miss Netherfield would also serve as a barrier between him and the delectable young lady. His mind and body clearly couldn’t be trusted to behave around her. Alreadyfilthythoughts of recreating some of the acts inHer Dark Earlflitted through his mind, and an odd jealousy spurred in his gut. If she wanted to learn from a wicked earl, he was readily available.
No, you’re not, you damned fool.
“You’re insufferable!” Sarah huffed, foot stamping on the Aubusson carpet. “Do you want me to be at the mercy of Sir Michael? Without even an inkling of what to expect on our wedding night?”
“Your betrothed is a good man. He’ll see to your comfort. But if you really want instruction, I’ll ask your Aunt Ida to visit. She can elaborate on your—” Hugh coughed, uncomfortable with the subject, “—wifely duties.”
If only Louisa hadn’t died before the girls came of age, then they wouldn’t have this issue. Now their mother’s sister would have to serve as an adequate substitute because he sure as hell wasn’t going to explain what happened on a couple’s wedding night.
“Aunt Ida?”Both girls wore varying degrees of acceptance on their elfin faces before Mary pulled her sister towards the door, loudly lamenting the fates for giving them a father such as he, effectively dismissing him.
Running a hand through his hair, Hugh dropped into his favorite stuffed chair and eyed the shelves of books lining the room. All of these choices, yet they chose rubbish.
Because of her.
Curvy,delectableher.
Damnation.
A call on Mrs. Havers was in order if a young virgin like Miss Netherfield kept piquing his interest. A quick fuck with the neighboring widow and these sexual urges would be satisfied—with someone altogether more appropriate than his daughters’ friend.
***
How dare he kick her out of Covington Hall!
Hugh Covington may be an earl, with every right to dictate who stayed in his home, but it galled Clara that he’d reacted so abhorrently to discoveringHer Dark Earl. Men held all the power when it came to society's rules and expectations, while women—especially young, unmarried ladies like herself—were forced to abide by them or be shunned.
