The Countess Intrigue Read Online Free PDF

Knightsbridge Road.
    “I do not think Chelsea is an ideal destination, my lord. Perhaps you ought to return me home.” She could hear the worry in her own voice and couldn’t prevent the grimace that twisted her lips. He must have seen her expression and misinterpreted it.
    “There is nothing wrong with Chelsea, my lady,” he chided her.
    “It still doesn’t seem to me like you’re trying all that hard to turn me up sweet,” she countered making the earl chuckle again. Elizabeth was relieved that they were well away from the crowds by this point. They drove in silence for a moment as the earl had given his horses their head and they were happy to oblige.
    For a moment Elizabeth allowed herself to enjoy the ride as Town dropped away behind them. In this direction no one had yet decided to build up with townhouses like in busy Mayfair, and one could breathe deeply of the cleaner air. The pleasant sounds of the approaching countryside reached her ears, and she had to smile as she saw a farmer with his animals. I hadn’t realized that farmland reached so close to Town, she thought absently before returning her attention to her companion.
    He still hadn’t spoken since laughing at her last barb. She watched his strong hands handled the reins with expert precision as they took the next curve without slowing. The flutter in her breast, she strongly suspected, was an almost delicious combination of pleasure and panic. If I considered him a friend, this ride would be pure pleasure , she thought with slight desperation,but as her discomfort in his presence continued unabated, she could not enjoy the experience.
    They were quickly getting further away from Elizabeth’s familiar environs and she was starting to get a little more nervous in the man’s silent presence. “I really do think I ought to be heading home, my lord.” She remembered her friend laughingly saying that there would be nothing to fear from the notorious man until one was married to him, but she was beginning to doubt those words.
    She was eyeing the shoulder of the road, wondering how hurt she would get if she were to jump when she felt his firm, warm hand close over her arm. “Don’t do anything foolish, my lady. I have no intention of hurting you, and I apologize once again if I’m making you nervous. I will turn my horses around at the first opportunity and take you home.” Her face must have revealed how dubious she felt over his words as he quickly and softly vowed, “I promise.”

    * * *
    E lizabeth maintained a dignified silence as he brought his powerful horses to a slower pace and then executed a neat turn where the road widened slightly. Within moments they were tooling briskly back toward the familiar safety of Mayfair.
    “Why will you not speak with me?” Lord Sinclair pestered her, his tone revealing his frustration.
    “I have very little to say, my lord. I do not trust you and have no urge to confide anything to you. We have already discussed the fineness of the day and the beauty of your horses. Neither of us had much to add about the joys of the Season. That doesn’t leave much else to discuss. It seems to me as though silence would be preferable.” Elizabeth could not bring herself to look him in the eye as she spoke but then found herself fascinated with the dimple that appeared in his cheek when he smiled over her words.
    “Do you know, my lady, I cannot help liking you despite your refusal to cooperate with me. I wonder why that is.”
    “Because I’m a lovely, likeable lady,” she replied cheekily, amused despite her misgivings about him.
    Justice was enjoying his time with Lady Elizabeth even though he was frustrated with his lack of progress in learning what she knew about Sir Jason Broderick, the bounder. Any time he thought of the rotten scoundrel it turned his mood sour. It boggled his mind that the rotter was accepted in polite society and that the pretty lady at his side was keeping his secrets instead of helping