Never Miss a Chance Read Online Free PDF Page B

escorted to gave Lizzie the opportunity to
reflect upon the evening’s events.  Well, it would’ve been quiet if Sir John
hadn’t kept up a steady stream of conversation.
    “Lady Elizabeth, I have long been an admirer of your beauty,
your elegance and your horsemanship.”
    “My horsemanship?”
    “You have an admirable seat and I have no doubt that you
would take to country life as a great fat trout takes to a pond,” said Sir
John, who was growing increasingly excited, although it was unclear if it was
because of Lizzie or the great fat trout.  “Never before had I ever dreamed
that I might have a chance with you, but when I read your treatise, I realized
you have no use for society.  You care not a whit for tradition.  I know now
that a woman as singular as yourself would be my perfect helpmate, providing,
of course, that you refrain from speaking of your rather scandalous views in
front of my dear mama.  They would likely overset her, and I go to great
lengths to avoid upsetting her.  But I’m sure she would welcome you as the one
to marry her esteemed son and to oversee life on the farm.”
    Lizzie had received a number of proposals over the years,
yet this was the first to mention a farm, anyone’s mama or trout.  But the
young baronet was earnest and sweet, if a bit daft.  He deserved a gentle
refusal.
    “Sir John, I am most flattered that you would consider me to
be your wife and sincerely thank you for the honor.  Unfortunately, I do not
believe we would suit.”
    “Oh, but you’re wrong!” he said with the conviction of a
lunatic.  “We would suit admirably.  My ardor for you is such that you would
have no complaints.  Let me prove it to you.”
    Before Lizzie could react, she was the recipient of a most arduous
and soggy kiss.  She tried to extricate herself from his grasp, but life on the
farm had apparently given him great strength.  Oblivious to her disinterest, he
pressed her against the wall and grabbed hold of her cap sleeves.
    “Lady Elizabeth, you would make me the happiest man alive. 
And mama would be most pleased,” he said, before bringing his mouth down on hers
again.
    “Sir, you must release me,” she said as she tried to squirm
away from him.  She could feel the stone wall scraping her back.  “I insist you
do so at once!”
    Caught up in passion, he seemed not to hear.  Lizzie
wrenched away and to her horror, heard a large ripping sound. Both sleeves were
torn from her dress, sending her bodice plunging.
    That finally got the fool’s attention.
    “Lady Elizabeth!” he said, scandalized.  “Cover yourself! 
What if my mama were to hear of this!”
    Lizzie grasped her bodice, then looked around for cover. 
“Can you lend me your coat to cover myself?” she asked him.
    “This is highly irregular,” Sir John protested, while unable
to tear his gaze from her bared skin.
    “I know it’s irregular,” hissed Lizzie.  “But I can’t very
well walk around like this.”
    “I don’t know why not,” said a familiar female voice from not
far away.  “It’s obvious you’re doing everything you can to shock good society
and disgrace yourself in the eyes of the ton.”
    Lizzie turned to see Lady Gwendolyn Bossert, her mother Lady
Halliwell and Lady Tarlington staring at her. 
    “And who was your friend, the one you asked to disrobe?”
asked Lady Gwendolyn, moving aside to allow others to see the partially unclad
Lizzie.
    Lizzie turned to see that Sir John had disappeared.  With
his jacket.  She drew herself up with as much dignity as possible while still
clasping her bodice about her.
    “I’ve had a bit of an accident with my gown and would
appreciate any assistance you could offer.  Lady Tarlington, might you have a
wrap I could use?” 
    It took a moment for the words to register with Lady
Tarlington, but after an endless pause, she murmured something that sounded like
an affirmative, then scurried away, anxious to tell others what had