The Fortune Hunter by Jo Ann Ferguson Read Free Book Online Page A

froze as the door opened after a cursory knock. She was about to chastise Hadfield, but the words vanished, unuttered, as she stared past Mr. Windham to meet grey eyes that twinkled with mocking amusement.
    Lord Windham handed Mrs. Carroll his hat and leather gloves. The housekeeper glanced from the viscount to Nerissa, and Nerissa knew her disquiet could not be hidden. Tempted to ask Mrs. Carroll to find Frye and send her to the sitting room, Nerissa remained silent. She could not air her domestic problems before her guests. She wondered what other orders Hadfield had ignored. If only Cole would chastise the impertinent butler! Surely Hadfield would listen to him. But that was unlikely to happen. Cole liked nothing to disturb the serenity in his house, so he would allow the situation to drift along unchanged while he clung to the comfort of his books.
    And Nerissa didn’t have time to worry about the butler when she was receiving both Windham brothers. She must keep her wits about her if she wanted to be a good hostess and hide the pleasure that had filled her at Lord Windham’s arrival.
    â€œGood afternoon, my lord,” Nerissa said as she started to rise.
    â€œPlease remain seated, Miss Dufresne. I didn’t call to disturb your recuperation,” he answered in his warm voice that resounded through her like the tolling of a distant church bell.
    As his smile swept the iciness from his eyes, Nerissa struggled to still her heart. When Lord Windham turned to his brother, she guessed the viscount did not share the unsettling, but decidedly delightful feeling within her. That thought troubled her more. Had the bump to her head unhinged her brain? She should care little about Lord Windham’s sentiments. Standing, for she did not want to be put at a disadvantage by the viscount’s impressive height, Nerissa kept a cautious hand on the chair.
    â€œI thought I would find you here, Philip,” Lord Windham said. “Have you forgotten the meeting you were supposed to have had at the King’s Pump Room nearly an hour ago?”
    â€œThe King’s Pump Room? Fudge!” Mr. Windham’s face bared his astonishment, then his dismay. With an expression that belonged to a chagrined child, he bowed his head toward Nerissa. “Please excuse me, Miss Dufresne. I must go and make my apologies to …” Color rose brighter along his face. Again he dipped his head toward her before hurrying out of the room.
    A low laugh rumbled over the closing of the door. She looked at Lord Windham. He put his hands in his trousers’ pockets as he walked toward her. The motion pushed back the tails of his dark green double-breasted jacket which was open to reveal his silk waistcoat. A fall of lace dropped from his high collar and the perfectly tied white stock which accented the healthy color of his skin. Sunlight glinted off the gold buttons on his wide cuffs and along the front of his coat. His steps were effortless, and she imagined him as a primeval hunter stalking his prey. Stalking her?
    Angry at her peculiar fancy, she said, “I did not expect a call from you, too, my lord.”
    â€œForgive the pup, Miss Dufresne,” Lord Windham said, as if she had not spoken, “for his lack of manners.”
    â€œI find Mr. Windham to be extraordinarily polite.”
    â€œDo you?” He paused too near to her.
    Nerissa felt overmastered by his height and the breadth of his shoulders which eclipsed the doorway. Telling herself not to be a complete chucklehead, for Lord Windham would be delighted to put her out of curl, she gestured toward the chair where his brother had been sitting.
    â€œAre you asking me to remain, Miss Dufresne?”
    â€œUnless you, too, have a meeting.”
    â€œRegrettably, I do, but not for an hour. May I enjoy your company until then?”
    â€œI would appreciate the chance to thank you properly.”
    â€œDeuce take it,” he said as he motioned for