Read Online Once Upon an Accident 01 - The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schroeder - Free Book Online Page A

“Yes, yes, he was irritated with you on that one.”
    “Mother.” He waited for her to turn. “What are the two of you doing here?”
    “Well, we sent word to you about Albert, but we never heard back. It’s been so long since we’ve seen you.”
    He had left over six months ago. Usually happy to pursue town interests, Sebastian had an overwhelming surge of restlessness fill his blood during the last year. After a brief stint through continental Europe, he’d traveled to Freddy Crammer’s house for a party. Just two days before his mishap, he had made arrangements to return to town. Although not very eager to resume his old life, he had missed his mother and sister.
    “I know, Mother. I missed you and Anna. That was why I was coming home last week. Now, what is this about Albert?”
    “Your uncle had the accident, then…” She sighed, her cool tone melting in a wave of sadness Sebastian could feel in his soul. “…then, Gilbert. We never expected it to happen to both of them so close together.”
    “Both of them?” Dread settled in his stomach. “What happened, Mother?”
    Tears gathered in her eyes. “They are dead, Sebastian. You are the new Earl of Penwyth.”
     
    *
     
    “I’m so very excited to have you as a sister.”
    Colleen sighed as she lifted the tea tray. She knew Anna was excited about having her as a sister. She had told Colleen the same thing at least five times in fifteen minutes. Used to her solitary house with only Gerty with whom to visit, Colleen was not comfortable with someone so talkative.
    Sebastian’s sister prattled nonstop about the most inane things. From the snow, to being happy she had a sister, to London, she talked, taking nary a breath. It was little wonder why Sebastian was so quiet. There was no way a person could get a word in edgewise with Lady Anna.
    “Oh, and we will have so much fun shopping once we reach London. With your red hair and those eyes, you would look wonderful in green. It’s been five months since Albert’s death, three weeks since Gilbert’s, so you should be able to wear the darker shades and not cause a scandal. But,” she said, her brow furrowing as she studied Colleen, “I think you would look marvelous in black or something like amethyst.”
    Anna followed Colleen and continued to blabber about everything they would do in London. Colleen didn’t have the heart to tell the young woman she would not be going with them. Although her incessant chatter was driving Colleen insane, there was a warmth about Anna, something totally accepting and loving that caused Colleen to hold her tongue.
    After Anna opened the door, Colleen hurried forward, hoping to end this uncomfortable meeting. She knew his mother was not happy he married a no one from the wilds of York any more than Colleen was happy to have them in her drawing room.
    Sebastian stood by the window, his mother in his arms as she wept.
    “Ah, here’s Colleen and Anna with the tea. I’m sure she talked Colleen’s ear off.”
    Colleen set the tea tray on the table.
    “That is not nice to say, Sebastian. You haven’t seen me in months and now you complain.” Anna’s voice belied her comments, telling Colleen that the siblings enjoyed a warm relationship. She pushed away the pang of loss and jealousy she felt. Deidre and she had never shared a close relationship, at least not since their adolescence.
    “Hush, brat. Even though you just proved my point.”
    Anna smiled at her brother and wandered to a chair. After she was settled, he moved his attention back to his mother. “Now then, Mother, let’s take some tea.”
    He escorted her to her chair while Colleen poured the tea. She turned to sit on the sofa and bumped into Sebastian. He took her arm, a smile twitching his lips. The heat of his hand warmed her through her sleeve. She shivered. He seated her and then sat beside her. For several moments, they drank tea in silence. It was almost unbearable. She knew his mother wanted to