Once Upon an Accident 01 - The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schroeder Read Free Book Online

witnesses, they could possibly keep the locals from knowing.
    “There is no reason for anyone to know about this.”
    The silence stretched as the vicar scrutinized Sebastian and then Miss Macgregor. Then he glanced at John. “John, would you leave us for a moment?”
    John frowned and looked to argue, but after studying the vicar’s stern expression, he shook his head and turned away. He left them, his feet dragging as he walked reluctantly down the hall.
    “There is no way John will keep mum about this,” the vicar said when they were finally alone. “Nothing I say or do will hold his tongue for long.” He glanced at Miss Macgregor. “You know what he is like. He craves attention and will use anything to get it. He might be quiet for a day or two, but that would be the extent of his secret keeping. And at that point, you will be gone, and Miss Macgregor will be forced to fight the condemnation on her own.”
    Put that way, it did sound pretty bad.
    “I think you two have much to discuss. We’ll be waiting just outside the door.” He shot Sebastian a warning look, his sharp eyes sparking with anger. He left the door open a crack, something that bothered Sebastian to no end.
    Sebastian dismissed the vicar and turned his attention to Miss Macgregor. She wouldn’t look at him. Her head was bent and she had taken immense interest in her hands clenched before her. She hadn’t taken her eyes off them since the vicar left. He couldn’t believe they had been caught in such a predicament. Irritation curled in his stomach as the implications became clearer.
    “Well, I guess we do have something to discuss.” His voice dripped with derision.
    His accusation hit a sore spot. She whirled around, her face flushed with anger. “We have nothing to discuss. There is no way I am going to marry the likes of you. I wouldn’t lower myself. So you are free.”
    He stared, nonplussed by the statement. After years of avoiding matchmaking mamas and scheming debutantes, he’d just been spurned by a spinster. A spinster with no prospects and who could very well face condemnation in her own little corner of the world.
    Before he could form an opinion on that, she placed a hand on each hip and advanced. “I’ve never wanted to marry. It makes a woman subservient and gives the man control of her money.” She stopped within inches of stepping on his toes. “We have to figure a way out of this!”
    “Let me get this straight,” he snapped. “You don’t want me to do the honorable thing?”
    “N-no. I never want to get married, especially to a man like you.”
    “A man like me! What do you mean a man like me?” His voice had risen, and he fisted his hands on the bed. She slowly backed away, not moving her gaze from his fists. All the color drained from her face, and she bit her lip.
    She swallowed. “You don’t have to be so angry.”
    Sebastian stared at the impossible woman. First, she tried to trap him into marriage and then told him she wanted nothing to do with him. Now, she was crowded against the door as if he were going to attack her.
    “What the bloody hell are you doing, running out the door? I’m not going to do anything. I can barely stand up.”
    Her eyes widened behind her frames. As if to calm herself, she took a deep breath and her shoulders relaxed.
    “Now, are you trying to tell me this was not a trap?”
    She stared at him for a moment. Her mouth opened as if she were about to say something, but instead she started laughing.
    Not some little twitter like the debutantes gracing the parlors at Almack’s. No this was a big, full belly laugh, her joy bubbling over, filling the room, despite the situation. Even though he was irritated with her, he couldn’t stop the way the sound of it sent a rush of heat to his groin. She doubled over, crossing her arms around her midsection, tears streaming down her face.
    After a few moments, her laughing eased a bit and he asked, “Now what did I say?”
    “You…you