To Catch a Countess Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t know whether his questions were rhetorical or not. She bent her head in a gesture of submissive remorse.
    Duke Magnus banged his fist on the desk, startling her. “Answer me when I speak to you.”
    Victoria had never seen the duke so angry. “I did not consider any of those things,” she said in a voice no louder than a whisper. “I was wrong to do what I did.”
    “Do you have even one ounce of common sense?”
    “I apologize for my foolishness.” Victoria hoped her words would placate him but did not understand the need to apologize for something that never happened. “My behavior was inexcusable.”
    “Your behavior would scandalize your parents if they were alive to see it.”
    Victoria felt her heart wrenching at the mention of her parents. She had known her mother for five years only, and for as long as she could remember, her father had been lost in drink. Unshed tears glistened in her eyes, and her bottom lip quivered with her effort to control her emotions.
    “I’ll speak to Stepan,” Rudolf said, looking at the earl. “I guarantee it will never happen again.”
    Victoria felt confused. Why was Rudolf reassuring Alexander?
    “Are you absolutely truthful when you say that nothing sexual has passed between Stepan and you?” Duke Magnus asked.
    “I never even kissed a man until today.” Victoria gave the earl a disgruntled look.
    “Lord Emerson wants to speak with you privately,” the duke told her. “Good God, Rudolf, I need a swig of your vodka.”
    The two men started for the door, intending to leave her alone with the earl. Alexander stood with his arms folded across his chest and the grim expression on his face had not eased.
    “Your Grace, I have other crimes to confess,” Victoria called, not wanting to be left alone with the earl.
    Duke Magnus turned around and stared at her. She flicked a glance at the prince, who appeared to be steeling himself for whatever she said.
    “I went into the woods and waded in the stream today.”
    Duke Magnus looked at her as if she had turned purple. Prince Rudolf was fighting a smile.
    Victoria wet her lips, and summoning self-righteous indignation, pointed at the earl. “That man is a rake,” she cried. “The earl accosted me at the stream. He kissed me and pushed his tongue into my mouth. And—and I believe he is plotting to ruin me before this weekend is over. You should call him out for trifling with me.”
    Prince Rudolf burst out laughing. Duke Magnus seemed at a loss for words.
    Victoria watched her uncle shift his gaze to the earl, who shook his head. “Don’t believe his denial. He’s guilty.”
    “For once in your life, be quiet,” Duke Magnus said in a long-suffering voice.
    The duke left the study, muttering about how grateful he was that she was the last. The prince followed him out, and the door clicked shut behind them.
    “Excuse me, my lord.” Victoria stood to leave.
    “I want to speak with you.”
    “You betrayed my confidence.”
    “I was protecting you from yourself.”
    “Who appointed you my guardian?” Victoria countered, defiant.
    Alexander perched on the edge of the desk. “Come here, Tory. I want to explain myself.”
    Victoria was instantly suspicious. “Are you planning to molest me again?”
    The earl’s lips quirked into a smile, and his hazel eyes lit with amusement. “You look pretty tonight,” Alexander said, “and I love the riot of red curls against your alabaster skin.” Then he amended himself, “That is, your alabaster skin with the rosy hue of a blush.”
    “Thank you.” Victoria stepped closer until she was inches from him.
    Alexander lifted her hand to his lips. The warmth in his hazel eyes was impossible to resist. He drew her closer until his thighs teased her yellow gown.
    Victoria felt his closeness with every fiber of her being. She felt the heat from his body and inhaled his fresh bay scent.
    “I wanted His Grace to impress upon you the danger in what you had planned,”