Vexed by a Viscount Read Online Free PDF

actual deed had been so much worse.
    Had she actually fallen in the stream, the reprimand would have been exceedingly unfair.
    The very moment the door opened, Prudence popped to her feet, welcoming the others with a smile. Her eyes met with the viscount’s first, unaccountably making her heart lurch, but she quickly looked away. Heaven forbid any of the others suspect her odd reactions to him.
    “There you are,” she said, directing her attention to the squire, as was expected. “I was hoping you’d like to take a turn about the garden with me. The sunset is lovely, if nearly over.”
    He glanced to the oak-trimmed glass doors at the other side of the room, then shook his head. “I think not. The air inside is much more pleasing to me, as is the prospect of another drink.”
    Drat . Smiling through her disappointment—she really did wish to be free of Mama for a moment, even if it meant spending more time with her betrothed—she nodded and made to retake her seat.
    “It does look like a rather extraordinary sunset,” Ashby said, his head tilted as he looked through the windows. Turning his attention to Prudence, he lifted his eyebrows. “If you don’t mind somewhat inferior company, and if your betrothed wouldn’t mind if I provide escort, I would very much enjoy a little time in the garden.”
    “Perfect,” she exclaimed, a little too quickly. Tempering her voice, she added, “The weather is ideal for a stroll, I think.” There—a banal comment about the weather. No one should suspect just how badly she wanted to speak with him alone.
    Politely looking to the squire, Ashby waited for his approval. When the older man nodded with a dismissive wave of his hand, already heading toward the sideboard, the viscount grinned. “Very good. Shall we, Miss Landon?”
    She tried to ignore the very improper flutter in her belly as she nodded and accepted his proffered arm. “Lead the way.”
    He smelled of wind, grass, and the lingering scent of cheroot smoke. She hadn’t realized until that moment how much she liked the smell of grass. Had she ever been on his arm before? Felt the firm outline of his forearm? Beneath the layers of lawn, leather, and wool, of course.
    She firmly pushed away the silly romanticism of his arm and concentrated on walking like a normal person as they made their way through the doors, past the small terrace, and into the rose garden beyond. The sky was a vibrant pink, providing a perfect backdrop for the blooms.
    “At last,” Ashby said, sending her a rather mischievous glance. Up close like this, she could see his brown eyes had a mossy green rim around his pupils. Tiny flecks of yellow spangled the line between the two colors. “Please, for the love of God, explain to me what I witnessed today. I can’t take the suspense a moment longer.”
    He wasn’t one to beat around the bush, apparently. It was quite possibly the most direct thing anyone had ever said to her. Momentarily flustered, she shook her head and concentrated on the nearest rosebush. “It was nothing. A silly, stupid whim that shan’t be repeated, I assure you.”
    “Well, that is a disappointment.”
    Prudence glanced up sharply, incredulous that he would say such a thing, but the moment she met his gaze she could see that he was baiting her. It wasn’t something she was used to. How exactly was one supposed to respond to a handsome gentleman teasing one in the garden?
    Straightening her shoulders a bit, she said, “Nevertheless, it is the truth.”
    The viscount stopped walking, and pulled his arm away so he could face her fully. The evening light gave his skin a rosy glow and made his eyes shimmer. “Fair enough. The question remains, however: Why would a perfectly proper, perfectly betrothed young woman step so thoroughly off the straight and narrow path?”
    It was hard to think when he was so close, watching her so intently. Despite the levity in his eyes, she knew he intended to root out the truth. She