The Countess Intrigue by Wendy May Andrews Page A

was convinced he had killed his first wife she would have quite enjoyed the afternoon and would be almost looking forward to her life with him. It was a ridiculous notion. Rumours such as that do not spring from nothing, she reminded herself fiercely. Just recall what Lady Meriwether had said the night of her ruination. Even that old harridan believed he’s guilty. And the fact that he wouldn’t confide in her about his own involvement with Broderick just shows how untrustworthy he is. You must not lose sight of that fact, she admonished herself then dashed up the stairs.
    As the butler held the door open for her, Elizabeth looked back at the earl shyly and lifted her hand in a small wave, gratified to see that he stood watching her attentively. He winked and waved back at her. Elizabeth averted her gaze with a stifled smile and ran into the house, allowing the butler to shut the door with a resounding click. Climbing up the stairs toward her room as swiftly as propriety allowed, Elizabeth called out for her maid to be summoned to her room for her. Her mind was abuzz with her constantly conflicting thoughts. The earl was so handsome and attentive, and yet she did not feel that she could trust him. She felt torn between reaching out to him and pushing him away. Elizabeth could feel a headache wanting to form from the conflict.

    * * *
    J ustice stood beside his curricle as his future bride climbed the stairs to her home. He was delighted when she looked back at him and waved. The girl was certainly a strange mixture of conflicting thoughts and feelings. He had been fully aware that his refusal to confide in her had hurt and angered her but he was not about to start confiding in a woman. That had gone so horribly wrong for him in the past, he recalled with a grimace tightening his face. He was glad that the door had already been closed behind her when that thought crossed his mind as he was certain she would not be happy to see him frowning at her from the street.
    Shaking his head to rid himself of his straying thoughts, the earl climbed back into his curricle and directed his horses toward the offices of his solicitors. If he was about to take on a wife, arrangements needed to be made. He needed to apprise those fine gentlemen of the promises he had made to Lady Elizabeth’s father and make arrangements for her future in case his enemies came after him once more.
    He hadn’t wanted to make her any more nervous than she was when she asked about Broderick but had been quite aware of her anger and disappointment. The more time he spent with his future bride the more convinced he was that this was going to be a wonderful match. He didn’t want anything to interfere with it. He was quite well aware of the fact that Lady Elizabeth was looking for any possible means to get out of the union. If she knew there was a possibility that her life was in danger it might be the final motivation she needed to defy convention and take her chances with the scandal.
    Justice could feel his hands tighten on the reins and had to force himself to relax and get his high strung horses under control. His mind was made up about Lady Elizabeth. He felt badly that she was disappointed over the way things were progressing, but he had no intention of allowing her to cry off. She was beautiful, intelligent, and could even see the humour in difficult situations. He actually found that he quite liked the girl, even when she was trying to rip up at him. The next Countess of Heath was going to be a delight for him. He was determined to help her see the benefits and get over her disappointment that it was not the love match she had dreamed of. Perhaps, if he exerted himself sufficiently, he could make her love him and then she would be happy. With a nod of determination, Justice firmed his resolve even more and set about his plans.

Chapter 5
    E lizabeth was standing in the middle of her bedchamber wringing her hands and worrying her lower lip when her maid