The Viscount's Sweet Temptation Read Free Page A

to sway and the back end seemed determined to pass the front. Harriet hit her head on the window, the blow ringing slightly louder in her ears than the crack from outside.
    Harriet flew onto the floor when the right side of the coach dropped to the roadway. She tried to catch herself, fearing the door would fly open. The heavy weight of her companion slammed into her, knocking her breathless.
    When the conveyance finally stopped moving, she tried to crawl out from beneath Lord Morley. He also scrambled to right himself.
    “Are you hurt?” he asked, helping her onto the tilting bench.
    Pain pounded above her right ear, and her elbow ached. “I’m not certain. My head hurts but I’m speaking, so it mustn’t be severe. What happened?”
    “I would guess we lost a wheel.” He braced with a hand against the carriage wall when he opened the door. “Smithers!”
    “I’m sorry, my lord. The wheel hub seems to have cracked when I lost control in the mud.” The driver moved with a slight limp as he rounded the carriage and inspected the damage. “We can’t go anywhere until the wheel is replaced.”
    Cold, damp wind blew in around Archie, sending a chill over Harriet that only worsened with the ominous news. She pulled the blankets around her. Her scheme had gone so horribly wrong! What would they do now? How would she get out of this without everyone knowing what she’d done?
    Her companion ran his fingers through his hair in a manner more indicative of stress than concern for his appearance. He glanced over his shoulder at her before speaking again to Smithers, who stood shivering in the rain, his hat drooping severely. “Take one of the horses and ride on to the next town. See what sort of coach you can acquire there.”
    The man tugged his limp hat brim and nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
    Archie pulled the door closed and staggered across the space to the front bench where he perched on the edge of the seat and braced a hand against the window to keep from falling. “It would appear we are delayed a bit.”
      Somehow, Harriet couldn’t find it in her to be disappointed.

Chapter Four

    Morley felt his backside sliding on the smooth leather bench and he pushed his heels into the floor in a futile effort to retain his seat. “It’s no use.” Bracing his hand against the side, he rose and nearly fell into Lady Harriet’s lap.
    He caught himself against the back of the bench, his face inches from hers. He held his breath. She gasped but did not flinch, as if she trusted him not to hurt her. Foolish chit . She was obviously unaware of all the things that could happen while alone in a carriage with a man, even beyond the chance of freezing to death before Smithers appeared with the hired coach.
    Or had she intended just this sort of misadventure? Her father could be ten minutes behind them, growing angrier by the minute at being forced to travel in this storm. Would he appear at any moment, threatening Morley’s life if he didn’t marry Lady Harriet the instant a special license could be acquired?
    Realizing he was still staring into her eyes, he pressed against the wall and straightened as much as possible, given the angle of the conveyance. “As this corner is the low point, it would seem I must share this bench with you.”
    “Oh. Yes. Of course.” Her words had a breathy, dreamy air. She smelled as innocent as her wide eyes proclaimed her to be. Her lower lip trembled, tempting him to nibble it.
    Tearing his gaze away, he reached out a hand. “I believe I should sit in the corner, there, as I am so much larger than you.” He lifted the blankets and helped her up. She had such a slight build; he easily lifted her and held her away while he took his seat.
    Lady Harriet struggled to keep some distance between them on the bench, but it was impossible. She slid towards him, and tried to push herself up the slippery slope they sat upon.  
    He smiled. “I’m afraid you’ll have to sit next to me, at least