Read Miss Winters Proposes for Free Online

but his acquiescence of their match was truth nonetheless.
    A thin smile crossed Winters’s face. “How refreshing to hear my uncle’s muddled mind did not impair him from blessing his daughter’s marriage to a viscount.”
    “Indeed,” Benjamin said. “Though hardly surprising, given most minds need not be muddled to approve such an ideal match.”
    Juliet stepped toward him, making her way around her docile hounds. “It is fortunate Lord Colwyn and I suit each other so well.”
    Winters studied him, his green eyes glinting. “Yes. How very fortunate indeed. Should we look forward to your company at dinner this evening, Lord Colwyn?”
    “I fear I don’t have a choice.” Benjamin lifted a small magnifying glass off the table beside him and studied the smooth oak handle. “The roads being what they are.”
    “The roads?” Juliet asked. “How are they, exactly?”
    “Near frozen. Or at least they were, before the snow.” Benjamin held the glass to his eye, fighting the upward tug of his lips. “With a promise of a heavy layer, should the dark sky and biting wind be any indication.” As if on cue, the glass panes on the front window rattled and a blast of wind whistled down the chimney.
    Winters strode toward the window, his footsteps echoing in the small and warm room. Lifting the heavy curtain, Winters peered out at the steady wall of white swirling beyond the glass. “It appears you may be staying for more than dinner, Lord Colwyn.”
    …
    Juliet trailed her fingers down the side of her father’s serene face, his lips lifting in his slumber, as though he knew she was beside him in his warm and darkened room, doing her best to ease his burdens.
    All while she attempted to soothe her own. She had to give credit where credit was due and, in the case of the viscount, the man was deserving of not only her gratitude, but her praise for a match won and a game well played.
    Heavens. Had she not been certain of his inability to control the weather, Juliet would have believed he had conjured the storm for her benefit.
    Or his.
    The viscount had attempted to suppress his smile, but he could not hide the amusement that twinkled in his dark eyes at Frederick’s disapproving stares.
    Juliet, however, did not wish for Benjamin to be here. At least not overnight.
    Yet, this was what she wanted, was it not? An opportunity to display her affection, to convince Frederick of the viscount’s undying love and, in doing so, forever free herself from her cousin’s misplaced attention and Society’s narrow views on what a woman should or should not do for pleasure. She should be groveling at Benjamin’s feet, thanking him for the opportunity he had created.
    Only she wasn’t. She was doing quite the opposite, avoiding him entirely as she sat beside her father’s rumpled bedside, watching as his chest rose and lowered in contented slumber.
    And wondering how the devil she was going to survive an evening, or possibly two, of not only entertaining Lord Colwyn under Frederick’s watchful and scrutinizing gaze, but keeping him and his dog from sniffing each other out.
    A sharp rap had her lifting her head and bustling to the door, hoping to quiet the intruder. Perhaps it was the maid, come to tell her pigs had sprouted wings and a warm summer sun had melted the snow, clearing the roads for travel.
    “Yes?” she asked, slipping out into the hallway.
    Frederick’s solid form took shape in the dim light, his pursed lips illuminated by the flickering flame of a single candle.
    “I wonder if I might have a word with you, Juliet.”
    She glanced down the empty hall. “Is there something the matter?”
    “I wish to speak with you.” He lifted a brow. “In private.”
    Juliet frowned. “The corridor is empty. Is it not conducive to your request?”
    “The matter I wish to discuss is of an extremely personal nature.”
    And likely dealt with their unexpected houseguest. Well, perhaps she could glean a few details of the