Read Online An Unlikely Countess by Jo Beverley - Free Book Online

Two months ago, during the fateful visit, Jeb had always accompanied Cate on his long morning rides, relaxing into first names and informality.
    “Sir!” Jeb swallowed. Yes, the news was bad. And then he said, “Milord . . .”
    Cate stared, wanting to say all sorts of idiotic things about silly mistakes, its not being true, or even that Jeb was speaking wicked lies, but he knew. If Jeb had addressed him as “my lord,” his brother was dead.
    At only thirty-two, Roe was dead—leaving three daughters and no sons.
    Which meant that Cate was Earl of Malzard, owner of all the earldom contained.
    Including Keynings . . .
    “Sit down.” A hard hand on his arm pushed him into a seat and he heard Perry call for brandy.
    Cate managed one word. “How?”
    “Not exactly sure, sir . . . milord. Sent me off immediately, they did, to ride ’ere with all speed. But as I heard it, the earl just collapsed and died.”
    A glass in his hand.
    He drank and the spirits broke the shock a little.
    “When?” he asked hoarsely, and took another drink.
    Jeb rubbed his head as if needing to think. “Sunday it was, so . . .”
    “Four days ago, and I didn’t know.”
    “I rode as fast as I could, sir.”
    “I’m sure you did. Horses can’t fly.” Cate drained the glass, trying to think. One thing was clear. “I must set off immediately. I’ll be too late for the funeral, but I must make all speed.”
    “I’ll order a chaise,” Perry said. He topped up Cate’s glass and left.
    Cate turned back to Jeb, trying to make sense of the unbelievable. “He just collapsed? How could he just collapse?”
    “I dunno, sir. His lordship did say as he’d ’ad ’eadaches. When he came to the stables that very morning he said something about cursed ’eadaches and perhaps riding’d cure them.”
    Cate surged to his feet. “No one dies of headaches !” He reined himself in. “I’m sorry. I won’t take it out on the messenger. How much sleep have you had?”
    “I had to stop for a few hours every night, sir.”
    “I’m sure you did. Get a good rest now.”
    Cate took out some coins. They were most of what he had to hand. Except now he was rich. Very, very rich. Unless Artemis was with child . . . Damnable that the thought caused a sense of loss.
    “Go to the Star,” he said, giving Jeb the money. “It’s just around the corner and a decent place. Rest well; then take a coach home.”
    “I’d rather travel with you, sir. I mean . . . begging your pardon, sir, but you shouldn’t travel alone.”
    “You think me incapable?” Cate asked angrily.
    “No, milord. But—”
    “Don’t use that title. It’s not settled yet.”
    Jeb stared at him.
    “It’s possible my brother’s wife might be with child.”
    Perry had returned. “I’ll accompany him north. Take your rest, man. You’ve earned it.”
    Jeb left and Cate turned on Perry. “Travel to Yorkshire with me? Don’t be foolish.”
    “You won’t dissuade me, so don’t try.”
    Cate wanted to, but his mind felt misty.
    “Eat.”
    He looked at the object presented. “A jam tart?”
    “My cook insists sweets are better for shock than brandy. Eat it.”
    Cate obeyed, and the mist did seem to clear a little.
    He sat again, sinking his head into his hands. “I can’t believe it. I didn’t just dream that?” He flinched at his words and looked up. “I didn’t want this. You know that, don’t you?”
    “Of course I do. It’s a damned shame. But—”
    “Artemis could be with child.”
    “Yes, that’s possible. Whatever the situation, your family needs you.”
    “I wonder.”
    “Don’t be a damned fool.”
    It wasn’t something to be spoken, not even to Perry, but Cate was sure his family—his mother and sister-in-law in particular—were appalled at the thought of him in control of the earldom. They were probably right to worry. What did he know of the business?
    He’d always been carefree—or careless, depending on one’s point of view. Impulsive.