Read Once Upon an Accident 01 - The Accidental Countess for Free Online Page B

how much he wanted to taste her.
    She cleared her throat twice, breaking his thoughts of mouths and tasting. “Mr. Pearson, John, I would like to introduce Lord Sebastian Ware. Mr. Pearson is the local vicar.”
    Her voice was threaded with worry. She looked at him as if he were going to announce her as his mistress. Silly chit.
    “It’s a pleasure. I would stand and greet you properly, but I’ve been recovering from a head wound.”
    “So that’s what they call it now,” John said with a snicker.
    Miss Macgregor rushed forward, apparently worried of what these two men thought of her. He wanted to tell her it was a little late for that, and truthfully, why would she worry if she bagged herself a rich man?
    “Really, John. Behave yourself!” exclaimed Mr. Pearson.
    “Mr. Pearson, it’s not what you think,” she pleaded.
    “Doesn’t matter. You need to decide what you are going to do. Wouldn’t look good for you to take up with a man.”
    “I haven’t taken up with a man.” Her voice had turned as brittle as the northern wind but there was a hint of fright beginning to thread her words. “Lord Ware was injured. I found him on the way home the day the blizzard hit. I couldn’t leave him in the snow. He would have died.”
    Her voice rose, a hint of hysteria invading her tone. Sebastian would normally take comfort in it, even gloat, but the reminder that she possibly saved his life stopped him.
    He turned his attention back to Mr. Pearson. The older man was no longer looking at Miss Macgregor, but at him.
    “Once word gets out…” The older man let his voice drift off as he cast a knowing glance at John.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian noticed her shoulders slump. Most of his anger faded and the urge to comfort her almost had him pulling himself to his feet and going to her. For some insane reason, he wanted to drag her against him and assure her that all would be well.
    Again, a memory prodded of touching her, of feeling her heart beat against his, but it dissolved as he reminded himself of her deception. He might not be as suspicious if she had not assured him earlier. He had one disastrous marriage in his past. The thought of being shackled to another woman, having to go through what he had endured before, did not comfort him. Rage consumed him, threatening to overcome his common sense, but Mr. Pearson’s voice interrupted Sebastian’s morbid thoughts.
    “Mrs. Pearson insisted I come to check on you. I was going to wait until morning, but she just wouldn’t let it be. The snow had slowed so I came out here with John to confirm that everything was well. And we find you frolicking with a man.” He paused to take a deep breath, his body language not so much showing anger, but resignation. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
    Sebastian may have been annoyed with Miss Macgregor, but he did not like the accusatory manner in which the vicar spoke.
    “I would be very careful when you are talking about Miss Macgregor.” His voice was deathly calm, icy. Both Mr. Pearson and his younger companion looked surprised. The older man’s faded blue eyes studied Sebastian for a moment before turning shrewd.
    Colleen released a breath, her aggravation with his interruption apparent. “Lord Ware, there is no reason—”
    “I will not have these men slander you in front of me. I just wonder what right these two had, barging into your home.”
    “We knocked, and then we heard the noise in here. I was worried Miss Macgregor was being attacked.” Mr. Pearson offered that bit of information without an ounce of regret.
    Sebastian, still seated on the bed, crossed his arms over his chest and studied the vicar. He seemed to be telling the truth. And there was no way these two would have known about him. Colleen had no way of telling others about his presence. Unless she had lied about who had been by while he’d been sick with fever. His attention shifted back to the men. With only two of them as