Gayle Buck by The Desperate Viscount Read Free Book Online Page A

contract at this late date.
    In view of the lightning bolt which had befallen him, Lord St. John had actually been thankful that that part of his life had already been decided. The dowry settled on Lady Althea would not cover all of his expenses, of course, but it would do much toward preserving his pride over the debts of honor that he owed to certain of his peers. That much of his reputation he could be certain of salvaging out of the mess, at least.
    At Lady Althea’s deliberate words, however, the conjecture that his betrothed had gotten cold feet definitely reared up its ugly head. Testing her, he said, “I had thought of escorting you to Lady Pothergill’s this evening.”
    Lady Althea briefly considered him from out of bright, but rather hard, blue eyes before returning her attention to the roses. “It is good of you to offer. However, Papa has requested that I make one of his party this evening.”
    Instantly the expression in his gray eyes became completely shuttered. He leaned a broad shoulder against the mantel, stretching his arm along its length, his leather driving gloves crushed between his strong fingers.
    He would not pretend to misunderstand her. It was not in his character to do so. “Indeed, ma’am. And to what do I owe this abrupt turnaround?”
    Lady Althea lifted one slender shoulder. Her pure profile did not reveal anything to the gentleman who regarded her so closely. “I have heard disturbing news, my lord. It has quite overset me.”
    Lord St. John’s mouth tightened. A hard light entered his eyes. “Perhaps you will be good enough to enlighten me as to the cause of your upset, my lady.”
    Lady Althea turned, holding a delicate stem between her fingers. Her slim blond brows rose. “Oh, Sinjin, must we fence like this? It is all over town. The Duke of Alton has married that creature—because she is increasing! I was never more shocked in my life.”
    She paused a moment, cocking her lovely head as she regarded the rose cupped in her hand. “And never more regretful.”
    Lord St. John slowly straightened away from the mantel. His expression had gone very still. “What exactly are you trying to say, Althea?”
    Lady Althea put the fragile bloom to her exquisite nostrils. “My dear Sinjin, surely we are too well acquainted for you to mistake my meaning.”
    Lord St. John’s lips twisted. He would be damned if he would ease the way for her. “Nevertheless, Althea, pray indulge me.”
    She sighed and turned to gently replace the rose into the middle of the bouquet. “How very vulgar of you, Sinjin. Very well; your suit is no longer acceptable to me. That is bald enough, is it not? I have already spoken of it to my father and he understands my feelings perfectly. I could not possibly contemplate marriage to you now.”
    Lord St. John spoke exceedingly softly. “Am I so different than I was two days ago, Althea?”
    Lady Althea looked over her shoulder at him in incomprehension. “Of course you are, Sinjin. Two days ago you were heir presumptive to a dukedom. I would eventually have become a duchess. Now you are a mere viscount.”
    “Whilst you are the daughter of an earl,” said Lord St. John with heavy irony.
    Lady Althea regarded him with a gathering unfriendliness in her blue eyes. She turned slowly toward him. “Such mockery is beneath you, my lord.”
    “On the contrary, I am beneath you. Isn’t that what you actually mean, my lady?” asked Lord St. John from between his tight-clenched teeth.
    Startled by the blaze of naked fury in his cold gray eyes, Lady Althea took an instinctive step backward. The sharp edge of the occasional table stopped her retreat, reminding her of what she owed her consequence. She stretched to her full height and said coldly, “I think you should leave now, my lord.”
    “And so I shall, with alacrity, my lady!”
    Lord St. John turned on his heel. Before he had quite reached the door, however, he whirled back to the earl’s lovely daughter.