Earls Just Want to Have Fun by Shana Galen Page A

person—”
    Marlowe jumped to her feet. “Why, you bloody cockchafer! How dare—”
    Dane pulled her toward him and covered her mouth. “Ow!” He was bitten for his pains, but at least he stopped the curses. Susanna blinked owlishly at them from across the table.
    â€œOh my,” she said, her face turning red.
    â€œI’m trying to help”—he moved his foot to avoid having his toe smashed and struggled to keep her in his grip—“the girl, but she doesn’t think she’s really Lady Elizabeth.”
    â€œBut Brook does?” Susanna asked over the girl’s howling.
    â€œYes. God knows why. I’m putting my money on the spawn of Satan. Ow!” He thrust her away before she could claw him again. He looked down at the scratches on his hand. “I think you drew blood.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œThat’s it!” He grabbed for her, but she jumped out of his reach, and his fist closed on air. “I have endured enough,” he said, stalking after her. But she was quick, darting around chairs and even under the table to escape him.
    â€œDane,” Susanna cried. “Dane!” She caught his coat and shook him. “Step away before you do something you will regret.”
    â€œThe only thing I regret is not having my hands about her throat right now.”
    â€œDane.” Susanna pushed him back, and he allowed himself to be thrust against the windows. How he wished he could escape through one of them, but he couldn’t leave Marlowe with his sister. He needed Brook to take the little hellion away. Then everything could return to the way it had been.
    Dull and tedious—no! Civil. Dignified. Comfortable.
    â€œWill you give me leave to speak to her for a few minutes? Perhaps if we two chat alone—”
    â€œAbsolutely not. I will not leave you alone with her. She cannot be trusted.”
    Susanna sighed. “Very well, but you must promise not to interrupt.”
    He grunted. That was the best he could do. Susanna gave him a warning look and crossed to Marlowe, who was holding one of the chairs by the back and looking like she might use it as a weapon at the very first opportunity.
    â€œNow, Marlowe,” Susanna said, going around the table and approaching her. Susanna was dressed in a blue gown the color of sapphires. Her hair had been pinned up in a thick mass on the back of her head. She was taller than Marlowe, and though she was probably slightly younger, she looked quite a bit older when she stood beside the chit. She looked vastly more feminine and elegant. Susanna was a true lady, possessing beauty and poise and grace. Marlowe was…well, best not to think of what she was. Her boys’ clothing should have hidden those lush curves, but they seemed only to accentuate them. Dane turned and looked out the window at the carriages driving by and the flowers blooming in the spring sunshine. A brisk walk would be perfect right now, and he could be at his club in a quarter of an hour. That would be even more perfect.
    â€œDo sit, dear,” his sister said. “I promise I will not hurt you.”
    Dane chuckled. As though anyone would worry his sister might be a danger.
    â€œI’m not your dear,” Marlowe said. Dane turned with a warning look and noted she’d taken a seat in the chair she’d been clutching.
    â€œI’m sorry. You said your name was Miss Marlowe.”
    â€œI said Marlowe. No miss .”
    Susanna shook her head. “Oh, but I cannot call you Marlowe. That’s not proper, as we’ve only just met.”
    Marlowe raised a brow. “You think I care about what’s proper?”
    â€œI think you should, if you’re to meet Lord and Lady Lyndon soon. They are very nice people, but they are also proper people.”
    â€œI don’t want to meet them rich nobs. I want to go home.”
    Susanna cocked her head and said simply, “Where is