Free To Catch a Countess by Patricia Grasso Page B

the window of the game room.
    Victoria spied the earl crossing the lawn toward her and returned the flute to its case. Alexander Emerson was handsome and well-built, especially in those tight breeches he was wearing. She could hardly believe that he was the man who would be her husband, who would sleep beside her at night, who would father her children.
    Victoria tried to gauge his mood. He didn’t look especially angry, not as he had earlier.
    “Are you going to lecture me now or wait until you return me to my chamber?”
    Alexander stared at her a moment, giving her a look she couldn’t read, and then sat beside her. Putting his arm around her shoulders, he drew her against the side of his body. “I want to hear about these lessons you’ve learned.”
    Victoria felt confused. She had expected him to give her a dressing-down. “I apologize for escaping.”
    “Your apology does not absolve you,” he told her.
    “I understand.”
    “About those lessons?”
    “I need to control my temper,” Victoria told him. “I also need to please you because, short of murder, my family will not interfere.”
    “You need to learn patience, my lady.” Alexander stood and held his hand out to her as if asking her to dance.
    Victoria looked from his hazel eyes to his offered hand. She sighed and lifted her flute from the bench of the gazebo. “Since we are betrothed, will you kiss me again like you did in the game room?”
    “We will kiss when I am ready, not when you are.”
    Hand in hand, Alexander and Victoria walked across the wide expanse of lawn. Victoria stopped suddenly as they neared the house. “I want to ask you a question.”
    Alexander inclined his head and waited.
    “Why do men give the orders and require women to obey?”
    “Men are stronger and smarter.”
    That answer didn’t sit well with Victoria. “Are you telling me that the weakest, stupidest man in the world is stronger and smarter than the strongest, smartest woman?”
    Alexander grinned at her logic. “Men rule the world because we think instead of feel as women do,” he answered. “We have all the money and enough wisdom to keep women pregnant, so they can’t compete against us.”
    “I wish I could live for one day in a world where women were the bosses,” Victoria said.
    “What would you do for that day?” Alexander asked, amusement lighting his eyes.
    Victoria crooked her finger for him to lean close. “First, I would scold His Grace for his bad behavior,” she whispered against his ear. “Then I would send you to your chamber without supper.”
    Alexander feigned fright. “Surely, you wouldn’t deny me sustenance?”
    “What’s that?”
    “Food.”
    Victoria flashed him an unconsciously flirtatious smile. “I would let you eat with the children.”
    Alexander laughed, enchanted by her irreverence. “You are incorrigible,” he said, touching a finger on the tip of her nose.
    Unexpectedly, Victoria leaned close and grabbed his finger between her lips. Her gesture was blatantly sexual.
    Alexander grabbed her upper arms and yanked her against his body. He lowered his head, his mouth claiming hers in a hungry kiss. Victoria slid her hands up his chest and entwined her arms around his neck. She leaned heavily against him and returned his kiss in kind.
    “Why were you ready now and not a few minutes ago?” Victoria asked, her lips still pressed to his.
    “You little witch.” Without warning, Alexander lifted her into his arms and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.
    “My flute.”
    “I’ll send someone out for it.”
    Victoria giggled, feeling the blood rushing to her head. “My brains will leak out of my ears.”
    “I’ll send someone out for them,” Alexander said, making her laugh.
    “Don’t you think you’re carrying husbandly discipline a bit too far?” Victoria called.
    “I’m enjoying this view of you,” Alexander said, patting her upended bottom.
    With Victoria giggling, Alexander carried her