The Most to Lose Read Online Free PDF

have encouraged the good lady to create an opportunity to bridge the gap that has separated your brother and me for the last three years?”
    Celie considered what he suggested for a few minutes, then shook her head. “No, Lord Haywood. I doubt healing the hostility between you and my brother had anything to do with Lady Plimpton’s reason for inviting you. I think the reason is much more substantial.”
    “Do you?” Haywood smiled, then lifted his glass to take a sip of his drink.
    “Yes, and since you have just returned from the war, I think that something happened during the time you served that prompted her to take such a risk.”
    Haywood’s arm halted in midair.
    “Did you know Lady Plimpton’s nephew also returned from the war recently?” she asked. “Now that I think on it, I believe he arrived around the same time as you.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. He was injured quite severely. Lady Plimpton remarked that he survived only because of the heroic actions of his commanding officer.”
    The Earl of Haywood took a swallow from the glass he’d brought with him. When he lowered his hand, he was at a perfect angle to look directly into her eyes.
    “Do you know what I think?” she said more pointedly.
    He didn’t speak but simply held her gaze.
    “I think it’s possible that you and Lady Plimpton’s nephew served together. That you were, in fact, the commanding officer who saved Lady Plimpton’s nephew’s life.” She looked directly at him. “Would I be correct?”
    When he didn’t answer, she continued. “I think Lady Plimpton issued you an invitation to repay you for saving her nephew.” Celie took a deep breath as the magnitude of his sacrifice hit her. He could have been killed attempting to save another human being. A fellow soldier was alive because of his bravery.
    She swallowed hard. “Remind me to thank Lady Plimpton before I leave,” she said, surprised at how husky her voice sounded.
    The Earl of Haywood rested his hip against the cement balustrade and steadied his gaze on her.
    “What?” Celie asked when he continued to study her.
    “When we were young, I often thought Hadleigh underestimated you. Now I’m convinced of it. You are far more intelligent than he ever gave you credit for being.”
    “Does that frighten you?”
    “Frighten?”
    “Yes. I’ve been told my outspokenness frightens people.”
    A smile brightened his face. “I think a better term might be intimidation . I think your understanding intimidates people.”
    “Are you intimidated?”
    “No.” He took another swallow from his glass. “Actually, I’m impressed.”
    “Oh.”
    When she didn’t say more, he tilted his head slightly and frowned. “You’re thinking again, but holding your tongue because you’re not sure if you should express your thoughts.”
    Celie was startled by how adept he was at reading her. “Yes, I wanted to say how glad I was that Lady Plimpton risked inviting you. Even though it could have ended badly.”
    “But didn’t.”
    “No, thankfully, it didn’t.” Celie paused for a moment. “I don’t blame you for taking such a chance and coming tonight.”
    “You don’t?”
    “No. You are no longer a second son, but the Earl of Haywood. You need to take your rightful place in society. Lady Plimpton’s events are always well attended. Tonight will provide you the perfect opportunity.”
    Haywood smiled and sat back against the balustrade. “So, if Lady Plimpton’s events are known to be so well attended, why do I have the feeling you wish you weren’t here?”
    Celie tried to look surprised. “I don’t know what makes you think that.”
    “I think that because I believe I saw you ask your brother more than once if he was ready to leave.”
    Celie could hardly tell him the truth, but wasn’t comfortable telling a lie. “Would you believe me if I said I had a headache?”
    “No. But I would believe you if you said you weren’t enjoying yourself. If the truth were known,