Read Online Vexing the Viscount by Christie Kelley - Free Book Online Page A

you weren’t a virgin when you married him?”
    Tears shimmered in her eyes as she nodded. “When he discovered the truth, I admitted what happened, but I lied and told him I knew I wasn’t with child. He must have assumed that my incident occurred a few months before I had met him.”
    â€œHe must have been angry.”
    Emily nodded quickly. “He was. I think that is why he returned to his mistress so quickly.”
    Tia now understood why Emily had befriended her so fast. If there was a hint of scandal to her name, she probably had no friends in town. With an insensitive lout of a husband, Emily had no one in which to confide. “Do you love him?”
    Staring at the window, she shrugged. “No.”
    â€œYou have to tell him about the baby, Emily.”
    â€œI will tonight,” she whispered, then sat up on the bed. “And then tomorrow, we shall go to the party and all the men will fall at your feet.”
    â€œAs you wish,” Tia said. “Take your nap. You and the baby need some sleep.”
    â€œI know, but I enjoy your company. Aren’t you glad that you decided to take my advice and leave Middleton’s home?”
    She wanted to agree, but every day she’d thought of him. Had his arm healed well? Had it become infected or poisoned his blood?
    â€œYou’re not, are you?” Emily whispered.
    Tia shrugged. “He was injured before I left, so I worry about him.”
    â€œThere is more to that look than simple worry.”
    â€œI hardly think so. I barely know the man.”
    â€œHmm,” Emily said. “It doesn’t take long to know if you’re attracted to a man.”
    â€œGo to sleep, Emily. I am not interested in Middleton in any manner, except his well-being.”
    â€œIf you say so.”
    Tia wandered the house for a while before slipping into a chair in the salon with a book. After a few hours, a footman came to announce dinner. She entered the dining room to see only one place set. “Where are the earl and countess?”
    A footman smothered a grin. “They have elected to have dinner sent up to their bedchamber.”
    Bedchamber? This was an interesting turn of events. Perhaps Emily had decided to seduce her husband and then inform him of his impending fatherhood. Tia certainly hoped that was the case. After a lonely dinner, she returned to the salon and her book until the earl walked into the room and closed the door behind him.
    â€œMiss Featherstone, I would like a word with you.”
    Hearing the commanding tone of his voice, she closed her book without bookmarking the page and then sat up straight. “How can I help you, my lord?”
    â€œMy wife informed me that she is with child. Is this true?”
    â€œYes, my lord.”
    â€œAnd that is one of the reasons she asked you to stay with her, is it not?”
    â€œYes, my lord. I am a healer and midwife,” Tia replied.
    The earl started to walk the length of the room. “How far along is she?”
    Tia kept a sigh from escaping her lips. The man must suspect his wife of carrying another man’s child. “I am not certain, my lord. I would say between two and three months.”
    â€œIs it two or three?” he asked roughly.
    â€œIt is hard to tell. She is not that far along. I will know more in a few months as the baby grows.”
    He turned to face her with his cold blue eyes. “She must have told you how many of her monthlies she’d missed.”
    â€œYes, she did, my lord. She told me she’d missed two. However, since I don’t know if it was unusual for her to miss a monthly as it is for some women, I can’t say for certain exactly how far along she is right now.”
    He sent her a sardonic grin. “I believe you can, but you are being a good friend to my wife. You might not believe this, but I appreciate that, Miss Featherstone.”
    â€œWhy did you allow me to stay with your