A Chance Encounter Read Free Page A

of filial displeasure, naturally. I suppose that you cannot appeal to Miss Ratcliffe’s finer nature?”
    At that Lord Humphrey gave a crack of genuine laughter. He threw an impatient glance at his companion. “Her finer nature! That’s rich, by Jove! No, mine is much the better plan. I shall present them all with a fait accompli. There cannot be much said once the knot is tied, you know.”
    Miss Chadwick could think of several things that could be said and none of them either comfortable or complimentary to herself. “My lord, I simply cannot marry you,” she said determinedly.
    Lord Humphrey looked at her again. There was an anxious expression in his gray eyes. “You have not taken an aversion to me, surely?”
    “No, of course not. Why should I?” Miss Chadwick asked, and then she bethought herself of several very good reasons. Her own fine brown eyes kindled with righteous anger. “Though I do not know why I should not, when you have actually abducted me. Yes, and have forced me into an intolerable position where I shall have to explain my tardiness to my host and hostess. Why, I shall be fortunate if they do not condemn me for a forward hussy who actually connived to be run down by your lordship’s carriage. Indeed, I shall be fortunate if my reputation survives this adventure intact.”
    The viscount looked much stricken, but then his brow cleared. “No, they won’t, for the next time that you have occasion to see them, they will be bowing and scraping and addressing you as ‘my lady,’” he said confidently.
    A horrible thought struck him. He threw her a stem look. “Mind, I have nothing to say against anyone who is kind enough to take in someone who is a bit down on their luck. But I’ll not have a rum set running tame about the place. A visit from these friends of yours once or twice a year is all to which I shall agree. Of course, you may visit them as often as you wish.”
    Miss Chadwick was pardonably exasperated. “Really, my lord! Mr. and Mrs. Percy are very worthy, but certainly not cut of the same cloth as your own acquaintances. As though I would not have the sense to know that different sorts of company will not mix.”
    She realized that she had fallen into the trap of sharing in the viscount’s delusion. She recovered herself quickly. “In any event, the question shall not arise. I shall not marry you, whatever the state my reputation is left in at your hands,” she said resolutely.
    The viscount’s frown deepened and there appeared a somewhat chilly note in his voice. “I shall not leave you ruined, if that is what you fear. I am no libertine, at least,” he said swiftly.
    “No, I am sure that you are not. I never meant to intimate such a thing,” said Miss Chadwick, appalled by her own inadvertent faux pas. She gathered herself together. The viscount had an unaccountable way of rattling her self-possession. She supposed it was because she was unused to the ways of gentlemen and their odd ways of thought. “My lord, I beg you once more. Pray set me down. I should make you a very bad wife, you know. I am not at all fashionable or witty or beautiful.”
    “I don’t want fashion or wit or beauty. I can have all that in Miss Ratcliffe,” said the viscount crushingly. He apparently realized that he had not been exactly complimentary. “I say, I do beg your pardon. My tongue seems to run on without my consent. Your features are actually rather pleasing, as I said before. And I am certain that you can be quite witty, since you are something of a bluestocking and all.”
    “Thank you, I am sure,” Miss Chadwick said in a wooden voice.
    Lord Humphrey saw that he had deeply offended the lady, and since it was not in his nature to deliberately inflict hurt on another, he attempted to make further amends. “I daresay you would like to be married to me. I am rather plump in the pocket and I wouldn’t be stingy with your allowance, you know.” He paused to gauge her reaction, and