To Catch a Countess Read Online Free PDF Page B

faces, everyone else stared at her.
    “Tory, the Apprentice law was repealed,” Samantha corrected her.
    “Repeeled?” Victoria echoed, glancing at the earl. When he nodded, she said, “I can’t imagine why they would peel those poor boys twice.”
    Alexander laughed, joining her brothers-in-law’s mirth. Those two sophisticated aristocrats were laughing so hard that tears streamed down their faces.
    Victoria blushed, realizing she’d blundered again. Now the earl would think her stupid.
    “Tory, are you a bluestocking?” Alexander asked, leaning close.
    “No one wears blue stockings,” Victoria answered in an appalled voice.
    Everyone, including the duke and the duchess, burst into laughter. Even the servants wore smiles.
    Victoria tossed her napkin down on the table. Unable to endure another moment, she leaped out of her chair and bolted from the dining room.
    Alexander caught her in the corridor. He grabbed her wrist and gently but firmly prevented her flight.
    “Let me go,” she ordered.
    Alexander pulled her into his arms and kept her imprisoned against his body. She hid her face against his chest.
    “I am sorry,” he apologized. “I never intended to hurt your feelings.”
    “I don’t like people laughing at me,” Victoria told him. “It makes me feel stupid.”
    “You are inexperienced, not stupid,” Alexander said, stroking her back in an effort to soothe her. “Anyone could have made those mistakes. I bet you read the newspaper without your spectacles.”
    Victoria looked up at him, her complexion a vibrant scarlet. “I did read the paper without my specs,” she lied. “Thank you for trying to make me feel better.”
    “Come back to the table.” Alexander guided her toward the door. “I live alone, and dining with a real family is special. I won’t enjoy myself if you leave.”
    Victoria returned to the table but refused to look at anyone lest she see laughter in their eyes. Fearing her stupidity would surface again, she refrained from joining the conversation.
    Alexander relaxed back in his chair as dinner ended and rested his arm across hers. Victoria glanced at him, sensing his gesture possessive, staking a claim on her. She’d seen her brothers-in-law make the same gesture with her sisters.
    “I have invited Victoria to attend the opera next week,” Alexander said to the duke. “With your permission, of course.”
    Expecting a refusal, Victoria peeked at her uncle. The duke was smiling at the earl.
    “I’m certain Victoria will enjoy herself.” Duke Magnus glanced at her. “I am also certain she will appreciate a distinguished gentleman thinking so highly of her. Won’t you, Tory?”
    The duke sounded threatening, probably expecting her to refuse. He couldn’t have been more wrong. She wanted to be with the earl. Preferably alone.
    “I am very appreciative and looking forward to the evening.” Victoria smiled at the duke’s surprised expression.
    “Come along, my darlings,” Aunt Roxie said to her nieces, rising from her chair. She looked at her husband. “Don’t delay too long. We’re going to play famous people charades.”
    Duke Magnus smiled at his wife. “I can hardly wait, my dear.”
    Victoria cast Alexander a smiling glance and then followed her aunt and sisters out of the dining room. When the men joined them a short time later, Alexander walked straight to the settee and sat beside Victoria. Her heart began to pound faster with excitement, and that was before he rested his arm on the settee behind her.
    The majordomo and two footmen walked into the room. They carried coffee and tea pots along with the accompanying cups, saucers, spoons, cream, and sugar.
    “I’ll have black tea.” Victoria looked at Alexander. “Plain black tea is beneficial to the brain.”
    “You’ll need to drink the whole pot if you want to improve your dinner table conversation,” Prince Rudolf teased her. The prince laughed when she gave him a disgruntled look.
    Angelica