Read Online The Countess Intrigue by Wendy May Andrews - Free Book Online
Authors: Wendy May Andrews
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satisfaction at the other woman’s gasp. “I can assure you I meant no harm my dear Lady Elizabeth. Please do not take my little jest as an insult to his lordship.”
Glancing over at the earl, Elizabeth hoped he had not heard her words. She did not want him thinking she was defending him. She did not trust the man and was shivering in fear over her future, but she would not allow the likes of Lady Emmaline to speak ill of anyone connected with her. Elizabeth doubted if she was being at all reasonable. She couldn’t help a small smile that touched her lips at the ridiculousness of it all. Again she worried that hysteria was going to overtake her as her eyes clashed with the warm, blue gaze of her new fiancé.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur as the scores of people at the ball heard the news of her betrothal and came to congratulate them. Elizabeth could feel the speculative curiosity of the assembled guests and was grateful that etiquette prevented most from giving voice to their true thoughts. Until the elderly Lady Meriwether approached her.
“Are you daft, m’lady?” she asked loudly.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Meriwether?” Elizabeth had a bad feeling about the direction this conversation was going to take.
“How could you get yourself in a fix with the likes of Lord Sinclair, girl?” the lady persisted. “Have you not heard the rumours about him?”
Elizabeth felt a wave of dizziness swamp her. Of course she was afraid, she wanted to yell at the aging busybody. She was swept with profound relief as she felt a warm hand take her arm and heard the deep rumble of the earl’s voice.
“Thank you so much for offering your concern for our future, Lady Meriwether. We shall be sure to take your advice to heart.”
Elizabeth actually felt her lips twitch with amusement over the look of confusion covering Lady Meriwether’s face. She leaned on the earl’s arm gratefully and wondered how much longer she would have to face the rabid curiosity of the wellborn crowd.
As the older lady turned away from them, Elizabeth was alone with the earl for the first time. The reprieve was momentary, she knew, as the crowds continued to press around them. “You ought to head home. You are beginning to wilt under this heat.” Elizabeth did not take offense at his words, recognizing them for the concern they were meant to be. She did not want to be warmed by anything the man did. Her resentment warred with attraction as she gazed at him in silence. Innate politeness won out.
“Thank you for stepping in to deal with her. I was at a loss as to what to say.”
“I do believe it is part of the position as fiancé,” he answered her with a dimpled smile cast her way. Elizabeth refused to be charmed.
“I guess you would know,” she replied, waspishly hinting at his previous betrothal. Despite her fears she knew such a comment was beneath her and flushed with mortification at her show of ill-bred pique. “I’m sorry, my lord, you were right, it is time for me to leave. I most definitely need some sleep. Tomorrow will be soon enough to sort out this mess.”
She didn’t bother saying anything more to him as he escorted her and her mother to their carriage. It had been a trying day.
Chapter 4
P ansy was beside herself with excitement as she tugged her mistress’ curls into submission. “The entire household is buzzing with the news, my lady. How could you not have told me?” her question was reproachful.
“It all happened very suddenly, Pansy. There wasn’t anything to tell you as recently as yesterday. It’s really a very complicated story,” Elizabeth excused and sighed.
“Aren’t you happy about it, m’lady? He is a handsome fellow to be sure, with all that hair and his broad shoulders. I took a peek at him yesterday when he came to take you for a drive. One of the most handsome men who has called on you, m’lady. And I’ve heard he’s terribly rich. You shan’t have to pinch your pin money
Glancing over at the earl, Elizabeth hoped he had not heard her words. She did not want him thinking she was defending him. She did not trust the man and was shivering in fear over her future, but she would not allow the likes of Lady Emmaline to speak ill of anyone connected with her. Elizabeth doubted if she was being at all reasonable. She couldn’t help a small smile that touched her lips at the ridiculousness of it all. Again she worried that hysteria was going to overtake her as her eyes clashed with the warm, blue gaze of her new fiancé.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur as the scores of people at the ball heard the news of her betrothal and came to congratulate them. Elizabeth could feel the speculative curiosity of the assembled guests and was grateful that etiquette prevented most from giving voice to their true thoughts. Until the elderly Lady Meriwether approached her.
“Are you daft, m’lady?” she asked loudly.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Meriwether?” Elizabeth had a bad feeling about the direction this conversation was going to take.
“How could you get yourself in a fix with the likes of Lord Sinclair, girl?” the lady persisted. “Have you not heard the rumours about him?”
Elizabeth felt a wave of dizziness swamp her. Of course she was afraid, she wanted to yell at the aging busybody. She was swept with profound relief as she felt a warm hand take her arm and heard the deep rumble of the earl’s voice.
“Thank you so much for offering your concern for our future, Lady Meriwether. We shall be sure to take your advice to heart.”
Elizabeth actually felt her lips twitch with amusement over the look of confusion covering Lady Meriwether’s face. She leaned on the earl’s arm gratefully and wondered how much longer she would have to face the rabid curiosity of the wellborn crowd.
As the older lady turned away from them, Elizabeth was alone with the earl for the first time. The reprieve was momentary, she knew, as the crowds continued to press around them. “You ought to head home. You are beginning to wilt under this heat.” Elizabeth did not take offense at his words, recognizing them for the concern they were meant to be. She did not want to be warmed by anything the man did. Her resentment warred with attraction as she gazed at him in silence. Innate politeness won out.
“Thank you for stepping in to deal with her. I was at a loss as to what to say.”
“I do believe it is part of the position as fiancé,” he answered her with a dimpled smile cast her way. Elizabeth refused to be charmed.
“I guess you would know,” she replied, waspishly hinting at his previous betrothal. Despite her fears she knew such a comment was beneath her and flushed with mortification at her show of ill-bred pique. “I’m sorry, my lord, you were right, it is time for me to leave. I most definitely need some sleep. Tomorrow will be soon enough to sort out this mess.”
She didn’t bother saying anything more to him as he escorted her and her mother to their carriage. It had been a trying day.
Chapter 4
P ansy was beside herself with excitement as she tugged her mistress’ curls into submission. “The entire household is buzzing with the news, my lady. How could you not have told me?” her question was reproachful.
“It all happened very suddenly, Pansy. There wasn’t anything to tell you as recently as yesterday. It’s really a very complicated story,” Elizabeth excused and sighed.
“Aren’t you happy about it, m’lady? He is a handsome fellow to be sure, with all that hair and his broad shoulders. I took a peek at him yesterday when he came to take you for a drive. One of the most handsome men who has called on you, m’lady. And I’ve heard he’s terribly rich. You shan’t have to pinch your pin money
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