Read Online A Chance Encounter by Gayle Buck - Free Book Online

controlled and smoothed away, and she wondered suddenly just how thoroughly she had misjudged the young viscount. She had taken for granted that he was as correct and as worthy as his parents, never having seen or heard anything to the contrary. But on the very evening that she had been reading that he was to wed a young lady chosen for him, he had come to her with an altogether different bride in tow.
    The unexpected occurrence had quite dispelled Lady Cassandra’s previous feeling of ennui. It quite made one wish to celebrate, she thought expansively.
    With the warm thought in mind, Lady Cassandra inclined her head in apology to her grandson. “Forgive me, Edward. You have caught me unaware, but of course I must hear you out. We shall speak of it over tea, I think.” Overlooking the stunned expression that crossed her grandson’s face at her uncharacteristic apology, she picked up the tiny silver bell on the occasional table and rang it vigorously.
    Carruthers came at once to inquire her ladyship’s wishes and bowed in understanding when she had delivered herself of several orders, which included not only the serving of tea but her request to see that bedchambers should be made ready for her unexpected guests and other provisions for their comfort. He left again, the door closing softly behind him.
    Lady Cassandra turned back to her companions. She was amused to note that the viscount’s eyes had become wary in expression. “Well, Edward? I am waiting for enlightenment.”
    Lord Humphrey rather reluctantly realized the moment of truth had come. His black brows knit as he thought how best to proceed, and he said slowly, “It is not a tale that reflects well upon myself.”
    “Nor upon me, I fear,” said the viscountess swiftly. She colored when Lady Cassandra turned arching brows and a politely inquiring look upon her.
    “You are entirely blameless, Joan,” the viscount said, swiftly.
    “No, I allowed myself to be seduced by-”
    “Seduced! My dear, you shock me profoundly,” said Lady Cassandra.
    Realizing her mistake, Joan flushed fiery red, then turned pale. Her dark eyes were huge in her face. “No, no! I did not mean seduced in that sense, my lady.”
    “What other sense is there?” asked Lady Cassandra, shrugging carelessly. “Unless, of course, you meant that you did the seducing. I must tell you that in most circles that does indeed reflect very badly upon you, my dear.” She did not voice that her own attitudes were more liberal, given that those same beliefs had been molded by a somewhat lurid period of her own past.
    The viscount was out of his chair in an instant and planted himself beside his obviously discomfited wife. He laid his hand reassuringly upon her shoulder. Lady Cassandra was astonished by her grandson’s protectiveness, but even more so when the girl’s hand stole up to meet the comfort of his fingers. The unconscious gesture was most telling, she reflected thoughtfully, and she wondered how long the relationship had been in existence. She felt a sneaking admiration for her grandson, who had apparently learned virtue of discretion very well indeed, for there had not even been a whisper of what had so obviously been in the wind.
    Lord Humphrey’s gray eyes glittered like cut glass. “You deliberately misunderstand, Lady Cassandra. There has been no seduction. I persuaded my lady to marry me through unfair means, which she believes that she should have resisted. That’s all.”
    “And these... persuasions, Edward? What were they?” asked Lady Cassandra silkily. Her eyes had become oddly cold, mirroring her sudden suspicions. She would not have dishonor in the family. If her grandson had done aught to coerce the girl, she would instantly establish herself the girl’s protectoress.
    “I was drunk. I abducted Miss Chadwick, with the intention of carrying her off to Gretna Green,” he said brutally.
    His grandmother was rather taken aback. It was not quite the distressing