A Scandalous Countess: A Novel of the Malloren World by Jo Beverley Read Free Book Online Page B

suppose. Plaguey business all around.”
     
    “Was this Vance her lover, my lord? I wouldn’t normally ask such a question, but as the lady is being proposed to me as wife…”
     
    “She swears not, and I’d say that for all her faults, she’s truthful. Never sought to hide any other sins,” Hernescroft added with a scowl.
     
    “Then why would her husband call this Vance out?”
     
    “Devil alone knows. A greater piece of folly I’ve never seen. The story was Maybury had clashed wheels with a wagon during some madcap race. Vance taunted him and it exploded into a challenge. Men have met for less, but Maybury was an easygoing fellow, so people talked. Gossip always chooses the dirty path, and word spread that they fought over my daughter. Then that Vance was her lover. Some of the men who were present at the argument claimed her name came into it, but they all admitted to being deep in drink.”
     
    “I appreciate your frankness, my lord. Permit me to be equally frank in return. Your daughter’s portion would be useful to me, and in monetary terms it’s manytimes the value of Fancy Free. But when I choose a wife I’ll choose one likely to give me tranquil days and make me a comfortable home.” He suddenly thought of something else. “She’s borne no children?”
     
    “None.”
     
    “How long was she married?”
     
    “Three and a half years.”
     
    “I would also want a wife who could fill a nursery. My apologies, but Lady Maybury fails to meet my requirements in any way.”
     
    “Does she indeed?” Hernescroft took something out of his pocket to pass over.
     
    It was a miniature, and for a moment, it stopped Dracy’s heart.
     
    By God.
     
    Here was the woman he’d glimpsed at a distance, but now she looked out at him with a mischievous invitation. Sparkling sea green eyes, full smiling lips, a flawless complexion, and that abundance of Titian red hair, in this case threaded carelessly with pearls.
     
    True beauties were rare, but if the picture was honest, the wicked Countess of Maybury was one. His visceral reaction was a warning shot across the bow. A sensible man would turn and run, but he’d never been sensible in that way.
     
    He forced his eyes away and looked at the earl. “Why would this woman want to marry me?”
     
    “She’ll do as she’s told.”
     
    Dracy doubted that.
     
    “You don’t seem shy of a gamble, Dracy. No saying who was to blame for the empty nursery.”
     
    “A tranquil wife and comfortable home?”
     
    Hernescroft chuckled. “Are you sure you want that? You’ve lived an eventful life and might not take to being becalmed.”
     
    He was impressed with the earl’s insight. Dracy had cursed the condition of his new estate and the work itinvolved, but did he really aspire to live as placidly as Knowlton? Constant storms were unpleasant, but constant calm could drive men mad.
     
    “What of the scandal? Will she be accepted back in society?”
     
    “She’s still my daughter, and nothing was proved against her. On our advice, she’s spent her mourning year here, living quietly in seclusion, letting it all die down. She still has many friends and admirers. At least two of the men here today are drawn as much by the hope of seeing her as by the race. She’ll probably soon be the darling of Town again, and there’s the rub.” The earl took another mouthful of wine and almost chewed it. “I’ll have her tied to a solid, decent husband before she picks a blackguard.”
     
    “You know I’m solid and decent?”
     
    “I’ve made inquiries.”
     
    Ah. The fog had almost cleared, but the jagged shore still threatened, and now an enemy warship had appeared.
     
    Hernescroft had been playing as deep a game over the race as he. Had he planned to lose, even arranged to lose?
     
    No, that would be against the earl’s nature in all respects, but he could have seen a way where he would win, whatever the result. Win the race and gain Carta. Lose, and