Becoming Countess Dumont Read Online Free PDF Page B

thrilled I felt at having made Alexander cross with me. The man believes that, because he’s rich and powerful, he’ll always wield the upper hand. This afternoon, I showed him that he was sorely wrong in that thinking.
    Peering out the window, I catch a glimpse of the estate Jasper pointed at. The enormous home sits proudly on a hilltop, surrounded mostly by trees. It’s quite possibly one of the largest homes I’ve ever seen, and a ripple of excitement shudders through me as I realize that this will be my new home.
    When we climb out of the coach, I stretch my legs and inhale the countryside air. It reminds me a lot of home, and I prefer it here over London already.
    “I’m rather exhausted from our travels and wish to rest before supper,” Elisabeth murmurs to Jasper. That’s when I happen to gaze over at them and watch as he strokes her belly.
    “Lissa, are you pregnant?” I blurt out.
    Her green eyes lift to mine, and she lifts her chin in defiance, as if I’ll try to take this away from her too. “I am.”
    Happiness washes over at me, and before I know it, I’ve thrown my arms around her. “I’m going to be an aunt. This is wonderful news. Congratulations,” I babble out.
    She doesn’t hug me back as she mutters her thanks. I realize she must feel uneasy with me touching her, so I retreat. I’m once again reminded how I selfishly chose my own wants and desires over that of my younger sister. When I was supposed to look after her, I took from her instead. A bitter memory of what I took floods my mind.
    He pushes the door closed and prowls over to me with a look that normally brings me to my knees quite literally. However, tonight I am not interested. Last time we were together, I discovered a letter from Lissa that had fallen from his pocket. While he cleaned himself up from our sexual encounter, I read it without his knowing.
    And I was gutted.
    She missed him incredibly so. It was a moment of clarity for me. I was able to take a step back and actually witness what I was doing—how I was hurting her and she didn’t even know it. The revelation had nearly crippled me. It was so easy to live in the moment while we were at university but the reality was that he had my sister counting down the days until he came back to her. The desire to steal off back to the farm and confess everything to her was overwhelming. That evening, I decided it would happen no more.
    But when William came back into the bedroom, he gathered his things and left without a backwards glance. I hadn’t had the opportunity to tell him until now.
    “Good evening, William,” I greet brusquely. My arms are crossed over my breasts and I hold my chin up bravely.
    “I need you, Edith.” His voice is a growl that works its way through my body. Tonight I am strong though. I’m no longer the weak woman that I was from before. I’ll do this for her.
    “No more, William,” I tell him with a clip in my voice.
    He halts his step forward and places both hands on his hips. “Excuse me?”
    His tone is harsh even though his mouth is quirked into a lopsided grin. It’s apparent that he believes I am teasing him.
    “I’m done with you. What we did to Lissa was despicable. In fact, I’m going to tell her everything—”
    “You’ll do nothing of the sort!” he snarls, his smile long gone. “She mustn’t ever know. You will never tell her.”
    I gape at the man, who even though he’s pledged himself to my sister, still chooses to see me each weekend to find his release.
    “How I ever imagined I was in love with you is beyond me. You’re a bastard, William Benedict.”
    He roars with obnoxious, hateful laughter. “Love? You? You’re a foolish woman, Edith. Did I ever kiss you? No. That, dear girl, is because I could never love you. You have always been a way to fulfill a need, nothing more.”
    The tears well in my eyes and I bite my lip. “Please leave.”
    His demeanor changes and his shoulders relax. “Edith, I’m sorry. I