A Countess by Chance Read Online Free Page A

felt, the looser his pockets would be at the gaming table—or so her father had taught her. It had yet to fail. “Is that meant to be a compliment? I do read a great deal.”
    Her words trailed off when one of the guests tapped the side of his wine glass. “Attention everyone, I have an announcement to make.” Silence fell over the room as everyone turned toward the pianoforte, where Lord Wallingford stood with Miss Daphne Hayward tucked at his side. “It’s my great honor to announce that Miss Hayward has made me the happiest of men and consented to be my wife. We shall marry immediately.”
    An animated murmur rippled through the room as everyone rushed to congratulate the couple. Olivia could hardly believe the news. Daphne had been waiting years for a proposal from Wallingford. So why did she look so shocked, so utterly confounded?
    Olivia was just contemplating the possibilities when she felt a presence behind her.
    Without daring a glimpse, she knew who it was. A shiver rolled down her spine. He was close, his chest mere inches away—heat radiated off him, surrounding her, enveloping her like a cocoon.
    “Mr. Wood.” From behind, Adam’s deep voice vibrated through her. “You don’t mind if I borrow Miss Dewhurst.” He imbued the words with such authority, Mr. Wood merely blinked at him, mute. Adam took her by the elbow and led her away, into a corner concealed by a giant potted palm.
    For several long seconds, there was only silence. Then, “What precisely are you doing?” he asked.  
    She yanked her arm out of his grasp. “I could ask you the same. Everyone is looking at us.”
    “Everyone is looking at them .” He lifted his chin, indicating Daphne through the palm fronds. She was sprinting toward the door in a passion, Wallingford in her wake. The room was captivated by the unfolding drama, much too captivated to notice Olivia and Adam. Adam’s gaze slid back to Olivia. “What were you and Wood discussing?”
    “ That is none of your concern.”
    Something dark flickered in his eyes—jealousy, perhaps?
    “That’s where you’re wrong, love.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Everything you do is my concern.”
    Oh, this was too much! “Since when?”
    His lips twisted into a smile. “Since I won you in a horserace.”
    Her mouth nearly fell open. He couldn’t possibly be serious!
    “You won my virtue .” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Besides, you had your chance yesterday, and you didn’t take it. Therefore, as I see it, my debt is paid.”
    She moved to sweep past him triumphantly, but stopped short when his hand shot out and caught her by the waist. “Not so fast, love. The debt is indefinite, and until I’ve taken what’s mine, you won’t be giving it away to anyone else.” He looked at her queerly, suspiciously, tilting his head, narrowing his eyes. “Unless, of course…”
    The way he tilted his head to the side, as though he were solving a perplexing riddle, couldn’t be good. “Unless what ?”
    “Curricle,” he said sharply, as though testing the word on his lips.
    She blinked up at him, expecting him to elaborate. When he didn’t, she wondered if he might be waiting for an answer. “Curricle,” she repeated slowly.
    He continued to gaze at her, intense, focused, as though she would utter something profound at any moment. Hands on her hips, she let out a breath and checked his pupils for…well, she wasn’t precisely certain what she was checking them for. Something alarming, surely. But they were clear, focused, utterly mesmerizing…
    Remain focused, Olivia.
    She shook herself mentally and reached up, running a hand through his thick, wavy hair, feeling for bumps or abrasions. “Have you hit your head recently?”
    Head injuries were said to make people say strange, nonsensical things. Years ago, her uncle George had taken a fall, hit his head, and now insisted his wife was a goose named Matilda.
    As she ran her fingers along his scalp, Adam’s