A Countess by Chance Read Online Free PDF Page A

perfection. Indeed, it clung to her like a length of wet linen that he itched to peel away. He would taste her then. Every smooth, creamy inch of her, every peak and valley, every dip and curve. With his tongue, he’d torment her, bring her to the brink of oblivion, and then back again, until she was writhing, begging for more.
    James appeared beside him, pressed a glass of wine into his hand, then took a sip of his own. “Well, how did your little experiment go?”
    Adam continued to stare at Olivia, watching idly as she danced with Wood. “Remind me never to listen to you again.”
    She hadn’t reacted to the word “curricle” at all, but what did that prove? Only that he was an idiot for taking James’s advice.
    “It went that well?” James’s gaze traveled to Olivia. “She looks like she’s enjoying herself.”
    “Regrettably,” Adam said.
    It took every fleck of self-control, but he managed to stay firmly rooted to the spot, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. He scowled.
    “Well, there is one other way to tell if she is indeed a virgin…”
    Adam glanced at James sharply. “My aim is to torment her, not to ruin her—in the stricter sense, at least.”
    James shrugged. “She’s ruined anyway, old man. You might as well give her something to remember. It’s a kindness, really.”
    Adam tensed. “Scandal sheets cannot be relied upon for the truth, James, and you well know it.”
    She was still a virgin. He would bet his entire fortune on it.
    At that moment, the song ended and the dancing couples parted. Adam watched as Wood led Olivia across the room, to the French doors that opened out into the garden. He waited for her to pull away, for her to make some excuse. She didn’t. Instead, she flashed the idiot a dazzling smile and curled her hand around his proffered arm.
    Stiffly, he excused himself and stormed out into the garden. The air was brisk, too cold for Olivia to be outside, and with a virtual stranger, no less.
    Hundreds of lanterns were lit, dangling from the trees, illuminating the garden in a warm amber glow. Gravel paths veered in every direction, cutting between neatly trimmed shrubberies, forming a sort of maze—the perfect setting for a seduction. He darted to the right, then to the left, always coming up against yet another gravel path.
    Then he heard it. Her laughter.
    It floated on the breeze, light and musical. Every protective instinct in him clawed to the surface. She was alone with Wood, and he’d made her laugh. Christ . Adam usually considered himself a patient, reasonable man, but just now, he wanted nothing more than to shove his fist through Wood’s face.
    He followed the lilting tone of her laughter, and found them together, sitting side by side on a stone bench, half concealed by a tall, cone-shaped shrub. They glanced up in unison as Adam approached.
    Wood jumped to his feet instantly. “Huntington,” he said quickly. “I was just showing Miss Dewhurst the constellation Andromeda.”
    Adam looked down at Olivia, who didn’t even have the decency to look guilty. “Is that so?”
    Olivia smiled sweetly— too sweetly. She had a teasing glint in her eye. “Indeed. The subject is quite fascinating. Mr. Wood is very knowledgeable.”
    Adam glared at her. “Forgive my intrusion—” He turned to Wood, who seemed oblivious to the undercurrent of anger surrounding him. “Mr. Leventhorpe has been looking for you. It appears there is some debate about…” He searched his memory for a topic of significance. “…the legitimacy of Ceres as a planet. Perhaps you can settle the argument.”
    As anticipated, Wood’s interest was instantly aroused. He bowed, made his apologies, and darted toward the house, eager to impart his extensive knowledge on the subject, no doubt.
    “Well, that was uncalled for.” Olivia stood up with an indignant huff. “He was nearly ready to play me at a game of Whist. And lose dismally, I might add.”
    She was so enticing