Read Online The Perfect Scandal by Delilah Marvelle - Free Book Online Page B

sir?”
    She bit back a grin. “There is no need for that, my lord. If he and the footman don’t retire within the next few minutes, then you may proceed to break however many legs you want.”
    Watkins cleared his throat and stepped back.“Please ring if I may be of any further assistance.” He offered a curt bow and scurried down the corridor.
    Mr. Lawrence lingered before stoically providing, in an amiable tone, “As it appears you are already well acquainted with the gentleman, Countess, I will permit an hour, despite his visit being unapproved. I hope you will consider my offer generous, as I am going against orders.”
    She set her chin. “That is very generous of you, Mr. Lawrence. Now, see to Lord Moreland’s hat.”
    â€œOf course.” The butler turned and extended his gloved hand toward him.
    Lord Moreland shifted away. “I will not be staying long, thank you.”
    The butler hesitated, then awkwardly rounded them, veering out of sight.
    Hopefully, His Majesty would hear all about her blatant defiance in accepting an unapproved gentleman caller. Maybe it would enrage the fat fellow enough to make him ride out from Windsor. She had a few Polish words for the man regarding the manner in which he was going about finding her a husband. She only needed one husband. Not four hundred.
    Lord Moreland turned fully toward her and assessed her with the wry coolness she’d encountered the first night they had met.
    Her heart raced, knowing he now stood only a few crutch lengths away. No more silly overtures from thewindow or a passing carriage. The next hour would define whether or not an alliance between them was even plausible. Attraction and banter was one thing. Getting him to understand her cause and genuinely support it, was quite another.
    She drew in a shaky breath and let it out, trying to appear regal and confident. “Did you come to talk? Or did you come to stare?”
    â€œBoth, actually.” His smooth jaw tightened as he closed the respectable distance a man usually offered a woman. He paused and towered directly before her, the tantalizing scent of cardamom faintly drifting toward her from the heat of his body.
    She flicked her gaze past the buttons on his gun-metal waistcoat, up toward his face. Tilting her chin upward, she boldly met his gaze. “I do hope you are not overly disappointed to find me supported by a pair of crutches.”
    â€œOnly all the more intrigued, I assure you.” He shifted closer, his leather boots almost touching the hem of her gown. “Who are you? And how is it you know my name, considering we were never formally introduced? Who have you been talking to?”
    The man was standing much too close, causing the weight of her amputated limb to weaken the one leg and ankle she did have for support. She actually fought to remain indifferent. “A lady ought never to disclose her sources. That is gossip. All you needknow is that I pride myself on knowing everything about anyone I choose to get involved with.”
    He leaned toward her. “I already have a woman like that in my life. I don’t need another one.”
    â€œOh, is that so?” she tossed up at him, cheering herself on to be bold, bold, bold . “Are you referring to your mistress?”
    The edges of his masculine mouth crinkled. It wasn’t a smile, but it wasn’t an uncivil snarl, either. “I was referring to my grandmother, who, much like you, revels in violating other people’s right to privacy.”
    She winced. So much for being bold, bold, bold. “I meant no disrespect to you or your privacy, Lord Moreland. I merely sought to know more about you.”
    â€œDid you?” He hesitated and lowered his gaze to her mouth without bothering to conceal his apparent interest in it. “What is your name?”
    She wet her lips, conscious of the attention her mouth was receiving, and set her shoulders more firmly