The Countess Intrigue Read Online Free PDF Page A

acknowledged his raised eyebrow. “Yes, you are probably right, it would appear that they are enjoying themselves immensely.” She allowed herself to relax for a moment, but didn’t allow her worries to stray too far from her mind.
    “Do you enjoy the activities of the Season, my lord?”
    “Certain aspects, my lady.” He didn’t go into detail, much to Elizabeth’s frustration. She realized that must have been how he felt over her own uninformative answers.
    With a soft sigh, she smiled and persisted. “Do you care to share which ones?”
    The smile he cast her way could only be described as roguish when he said, “I doubt your mother would consider some of them appropriate for me to discuss with you, but I will tell you that I enjoy the theatre and my club. When I am ensconced on my estate I do miss being able to swing around to White’s and see how the wind blows in certain quarters.”
    “Ah so you’re a Tory then, are you, my lord?” Elizabeth was proud of her small amount of knowledge of the political leanings of the gentlemen’s club.
    “Most of the time.”
    “Are you always so noncommittal?” Elizabeth was wondering if he was trying to annoy her intentionally or if it was just an unlucky happenstance. She was surprised when he laughed in response to her complaint.
    “Not usually,” he replied and then laughed again. “I apologize, my dear lady, I am not trying to be a nuisance. I had every intention of bringing you for a drive and turning you up sweet. It isn’t really working, though, is it?”
    “Why would you want to turn me up sweet?” Elizabeth was puzzled by this man. They had never exchanged words before last night and now here they were driving together in the park. While she would admit that they had exchanged a few glances and smiles over the weeks of the Little Season, she did not think there could be any reason for the earl to be wishing to gain her favour. Her suspicions grew and she did not regret the sharp tone she had used.
    Lord Sinclair sighed before turning to her with what could only be described as a very earnest expression upon his face. “I really need to know what you can tell me about Sir Broderick.” He didn’t elaborate at that moment causing Elizabeth to study his face closely. She was hoping for a clue as to his motivation but was frustrated by his impassive expression.
    “What would make you think I know anything about Sir Broderick?” Elizabeth wasn’t ready to tell the handsome nobleman anything. She knew her question was ridiculous after their conversation the previous evening, but she was stalling for time.
    “Well, you did ask me if I was in cahoots with him last night. This does lead me to think you must know something, otherwise you would not have asked such a question.”
    Elizabeth could feel heat rising in her cheeks and cursed her transparent complexion and expressive face. She made an effort to appear as impassive as he did, though she doubted if she was successful as she felt his scrutiny of her features. It flitted across her mind to wonder what he would do if she stuck her tongue out at him. Much to her own shock she suited her actions to her thoughts.
    He howled with laughter at her childish gesture bringing the curious stares of the other passers-by. Elizabeth was mortified and quickly told him to hush. Now it would be bandied about in every drawing room of the ton that she had been “carousing” with the notorious Earl of Heath. For the second time in as many days she wished the ground would open and swallow her.
    Of course, such wishes are never answered so she did the only thing possible — she glanced around at the watching crowd and smiled serenely as though she hadn’t a care in the world.
    “Perhaps the crowds of Hyde Park were not the best idea, my lady. Would you care to go farther afield?” He didn’t wait for her reply but steered his team toward the nearest exit. Elizabeth was startled to see he was heading down