The Fortune Hunter by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online

acquaintances, but I want you to know that my brother and I will be glad to assume any bills you might incur from this unspeakable incident.”
    â€œYou’re generous, Mr. Windham, but I am not a nip cheese.”
    â€œI didn’t mean to suggest that.”
    â€œOf course, you didn’t.” Nerissa wondered if he was always so eager to apologize for everything he said and did. It made conversation difficult. “I wouldn’t begrudge myself the company of a physician if I had needed one. There is nothing a doctor could do for my buffeted head, and my household has taken it upon themselves to see I shall do nothing with my left arm until it is healed to their satisfaction. You needn’t worry about me.”
    â€œAlas, Miss Dufresne, your words only convince me that we have been beneath reproach.” He sat where she had indicated, but appeared stiffly uncomfortable. “I know my brother is as distressed about this unfortunate incident as I am. I should have waited for Hamilton to return to Queen Square so we could both look in on you, but I was too anxious to soothe my conscience.”
    Nerissa smiled dutifully, but she believed Mr. Windham’s words no more than he did. Lord Windham probably had dismissed her from his mind as soon as he left Laura Place. That the brothers resided on the finest street in the city was no astounding revelation. They wore their wealth and prestige with an indifference that came from possessing both all their lives.
    â€œMr. Windham, there was no need for anyone to call with an apology. Both you and his lordship were quite profuse yesterday.” Sitting, she tried to ignore the sitting room’s frayed furniture. She noticed it only as she saw Mr. Windham glance around the room. No doubt, he was unaccustomed to such shabbiness, but this was her home. She wouldn’t have traded it for anything … but Hill’s End. Grief smothered her at the thought of losing the only home she’d known before this one. Her chin raised as she silenced her misery. “I trust now that you have seen me, you can be satisfied I don’t intend to cock up my toes.”
    He gave her a tentative smile. “If I may be so bold, may I say you look very lovely, Miss Dufresne?”
    â€œA surprise on your part, I am certain. I looked a complete florence yesterday.” Nerissa laughed, hoping to put the nervous young man at ease. “I am never at my best with a dirty face and scratched elbows.” When he frowned, she hurried to add, “Mr. Windham, please allow me to change the subject to a topic you will find more comfortable. We cannot alter the past, so why should we dwell upon it?”
    â€œIf that’s your wish.”
    â€œIt is.”
    Taking a deep breath, the red-haired man nodded. He clasped and unclasped his fingers. Silence clamped around them. Every tick of the mantel clock seemed too loud.
    Finally, after what Nerissa feared was an eternity, Mr. Windham asked, “Have you been in Bath long?”
    â€œA few months. I came here to live with my brother.” Nerissa glanced toward the foyer, but, as she should have guessed, Cole’s book-room door remained closed. With his students gone for the day, he must be lost, as usual, in his studies. Rather than tell Mr. Windham the truth—for he might think her unmannered not to call her brother out to be introduced—she said, “I hope you will have the opportunity to meet him someday.”
    â€œI hope so, too, for, if I may be so presumptuous, I hope you will welcome me calling here again.”
    Nerissa found it easier to smile. “I would be delighted to have you call whenever you might be in Laura Place. I am at home Wednesday afternoons.”
    â€œThen I shall look forward to Wednesday next.” Rising, he reached for her hand. Instead of shaking it, he began to lift it toward his lips.
    Nerissa had no chance to react to his surprising boldness, for he