An Heiress for All Seasons by Sophie Jordan Read Free Book Online Page A

Viscount Camden gently touched her arm, his eyes kind as they studied her.
    Blinking once, she forced a smile up at him and nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
    “Shall we?” He offered her his arm. Accepting it, she fixed the smile on her face and allowed him to lead her forward.
    M iss Howard— Violet —excused herself early from the drawing room as Miss Little finished singing “Good King Wenceslas,” complaining of an aching head.
    Will watched her intently as she moved across the room, studying her pale face and listening as she made her excuses to both their mothers. Aching head, his arse. She was fleeing him. Again. As she had been doing from the very beginning. He released a pent-up breath.
    He tracked her as she slipped from the room, silent as a wraith as Miss Little launched into another carol.
    “What are you doing?”
    At the mild question, he turned to face Max beside him. “What do you mean?”
    “You’ve been chasing after Miss Howard since you first clapped eyes on her.” He nodded to where Violet had departed. “I thought for certain you were on the verge of declaring yourself, and now you’re suddenly panting after this little Nightingale here.” He nodded toward Miss Little and then chuckled. “Little Nightingale.”
    Rolling his eyes at the jest, Will shrugged, not caring to discuss matters of the heart in the midst of his family’s drawing room. He hadn’t given up on Violet. On the contrary, he had simply decided to give her some space for a day or two, and let her consider the loss of his attention. He was wagering that she would miss said attention—that she would miss him —and come to her senses. And perhaps paying attention to Miss Little would make her realize that all the sooner.
    “You’re no longer interested in Miss Howard, is that it?” Max rubbed his chin thoughtfully, apparently unwilling to drop the subject. “Good to know. This house party is getting a little tedious. I confess she appeals to me . . . and there is a good deal of mistletoe about. I wouldn’t mind some diversion. A man could lose himself in her eyes. And that voice. . . .”
    “Max,” he growled, but his friend continued as though he hadn’t heard him.
    “You know me. I like a female with some curves. Something to hang on to as you plow—”
    The rest of Max’s words were lost. Will’s fist shot out to connect with Max’s runaway mouth. The two crashed from their chairs to the floor. The ladies cried out, jumping to their feet. Dec and Mr. Little quickly wedged themselves between him and Max.
    Will strained to break free, swiping his arm for one more blow.
    “Will, what’s gotten into you, man?” Dec shook him, and it was only then that he realized Max wasn’t struggling for another go at him.
    No. Max was grinning, his white teeth a blinding flash in his face as he tentatively touched his bottom lip where a cut bled profusely. “Just as I thought,” he announced.
    Will stared, gaping at his friend, realizing that Max had been toying with him, knowing how he would react.
    Dec stepped back, watching him carefully should he need to restrain him again. Max marched forward and clapped Will on the shoulder, whispering for his ears alone. “Whatever game you’re playing, you’re going to lose. You’re going to lose her .”
    Something heavy sank in his chest at Max’s words. Nodding and realizing he’d made a colossal mistake that just might cost him the only woman he had ever wanted beyond the span of one night, he faced everyone. “My apologies. Just a quarrel among friends.”
    “William?” His mother asked, her eyes clouded with worry.
    “We’re well now, Mother,” he assured her even though the last thing he felt was well .
    Was it possible to feel this way for a woman in so short a span of time? So desperate and heartsick at the thought of losing her.
    It could happen, he realized. She could walk out of his life as easily as she had entered it. He swallowed against the sudden