Read Online Secrets of a Wedding Night by Valerie Bowman - Free Book Online

refreshing company.
    Yes. Lord Medford was perfect in every particular, but those who knew him well, as Lily had come to, knew just how irreverent he could be. He was handsome, intelligent, and wealthy, but to Lily, Medford was just her stalwart companion. The only man she’d ever been able to trust. One upon whom she could always count. Her dear friend.
    Lily sighed. It was beyond unfair that she felt no romantic attraction to Medford. He was like the brother she’d never had. Everything would have been so much easier if that were not the case. Why, if she could love the viscount, and he could love her back, all her money problems would be quite conveniently resolved.
    But she didn’t love him. And she would never even consider entering into a marriage without love. Not again.
    Lily eyed the verbose Lady Foxdown. Apparently, she and her husband hadn’t heard the rumors that Lily and Medford were responsible for the first pamphlet. Or perhaps the lady was merely fishing for information. Either way, Lady Foxdown would be disappointed. Besides, the gossip was false. Lily had no intention of writing another pamphlet. She’d taken an enormous risk to her reputation by writing the first one.
    Lily rapidly fanned herself. The heat hadn’t been relieved one bit. Oh, why wasn’t she the kind of simpering twit who could fake an attack of the vapors? It would be the perfect excuse to remove herself from Lady Foxdown’s insipid company. But Lily just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
    A flutter by her arm caught her attention, just before a large, warm, masculine hand slid across the small of her back. Gooseflesh sprinkled along her spine. She instinctively knew. Colton was there.
    “Countess, you look as if you need some air. Allow me to escort you onto the veranda.” Colton’s voice. Deep, masculine, and tinged with arrogance as if he couldn’t conceive of her refusing him.
    Medford stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at Colton. “If Lady Merrill is in need of some air, I would be happy to—”
    “Three’s a crowd, Medford, or haven’t you heard?” Devon flashed a wicked grin, taking Lily by the arm. “You were always such a scholar at Cambridge, Medford, but it seems you missed a social lesson.”
    Medford’s teeth clenched and he gave Colton a dark look. He leaned down next to Lily’s ear. “Don’t go off with that blackguard,” he whispered fiercely.
    Lily pressed her lips together. She’d never heard such disapproval in Lord Medford’s voice before. “‘Blackguard’ is a bit harsh, don’t you think?” she whispered back.
    Medford straightened and gave her a stiff nod. “I await your decision, Lady Merrill.”
    Eager to avoid a scene, Lily hastened to reassure him. “Thank you, Lord Medford. I’ll be fine.” She gave him a pleading look and excused herself from the group.
    Devon smirked at Medford and whisked Lily across the ballroom toward a set of double doors. His palm on the small of her back made Lily’s breathing hitch, and thoughts of Medford quickly faded.
    Colton’s hand dropped away as they passed the refreshment table from which he plucked two glasses of champagne. Lily expelled her breath. Without him touching her she could breathe normally again. He nodded, ushering her through the open French doors.
    Lily moved to a spot on the balcony far away from the other couples outside, and spread both hands on the railing.
    It was truly a work of art, how Colton had so smoothly extricated her from the Foxdowns’ company, not to mention a disapproving Medford. Oh, yes, Devon Morgan plied his social skills like a master painter with a brush.
    Lily reveled in the cool night air. Ah, it was lovely to be free from the stifling ballroom. She sucked in a deep breath and turned to face Colton. He stood in the moonlight, his shoulder propped against the stone wall of the house, his booted feet crossed at the ankles. How did that man manage to make debonair look so effortless?
    She straightened her