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

her to sit. When she had, he followed suit. “You are going to stop thanking me for what was without question all my doing, aren’t you? I daresay you would thank the hangman for finding a fine choker to set about your neck.”
    Nerissa frowned at his odd words. This viscount was acting like a rough diamond. “I doubt I would find myself in such a predicament.”
    He chuckled. “You think I’m a ramshackle fellow when I am only speaking plainly. If it makes you feel better, I accept your gratitude, if you’ll accept my apology. Then we shall be done with this accursed happening.”
    Nerissa smiled in spite of herself. She need not be concerned about an unsteady conversation with this dark-haired man. The glint in his eyes suggested he was a flash at gab, even as it warned her that she must watch each word she chose.
    â€œAh, a smile. That is much more to the purpose,” Lord Windham said. Crossing one brightly shined boot over the knee of his trousers, he leaned back as if she had invited him to run tame through her home. Suddenly he reached toward her and gripped her chin. Tilting her face, he cursed lowly. “I see you have fallen down and trodden upon your eye. This is odd. I must own, although I have landed a few facers in my youth, I never have given a lady a black eye.”
    â€œMy lord, I assure you.…” Nerissa halted herself as his smile broadened. Knowing she should ask him to take his fancy manners from her home, she was startled when her lips tilted in an answering grin.
    â€œMuch better. Your smile tells me you are as well as can be expected. I have found, Miss Dufresne, that words are often false, but, upon watching a face with its quirks, the truth can be uncovered.”
    â€œI’m astounded. I didn’t guess you to possess such rare talents that you could guess my thoughts before I spoke.”
    He laughed, the sound swirling through her without the pain of the previous day. Instead it was accompanied by an undeniable happiness at being in the company of this handsome and needle-witted man.
    â€œSuch a skill would be of wonder, Miss Dufresne, for it would strip one’s opponents as bare as birth. If I possessed such a gift, I wouldn’t have needed to follow my brother here. I would have known you are suffering little damage.”
    â€œConsidering that both of us could have been injured seriously, I think we should count ourselves lucky.”
    Lord Windham stood. “I can do nothing about your arm, Miss Dufresne, but …” Going to the door, he opened it and picked up a round box she had not seen when he entered. He closed the door. As he walked toward her, he held out the box, which was covered with pink silk and topped by a velvet ribbon. “For you.”
    â€œFor me?” Nerissa flushed when she realized she sounded as if she was still in the schoolroom.
    He placed the box in her lap, then—with a grimace as he saw she would have trouble undoing the red bow—he leaned forward to untie it. Lifting off the top, he urged, “Look inside, Miss Dufresne.”
    Nerissa pushed aside the tissue and pulled out a delicately made straw bonnet that was decorated with feathers and a silk ribbon of the most delicate blue she had ever seen. Its design was of the highest kick.
    â€œIf it isn’t to your liking, Miss Dufresne,” he continued, “you may return it to the millinery shop on—”
    â€œIt’s lovely,” she whispered, not caring that she interrupted him as she admired the fashionable bonnet. It must have cost him dear. “But, my lord, such a gift! I can’t accept it!”
    â€œIt needs to be worn to be appreciated.” He ignored her protests as, with a chuckle, he took the box and set it on the floor. “That is a direct quote from Madame de Ramel, the milliner who sold me this bonnet. She was curious about why I was buying this and for whom. You have made me the