Free A Chance Encounter by Gayle Buck

Lord Humphrey said harshly, not liking the inferred slur on a lady whom he considered innocent of any wrongdoing. He eyed his grandmother. The proud look had returned to his cold gray eyes.
    “How very sporting of you, my dear,” murmured Lady Cassandra.
    Lord Humphrey practically ground his teeth. “That obligation was never formally acknowledged by myself to Miss Ratcliffe,” he said sharply. “According to the agreement made between my father and Lord Ratcliffe on the day of Augusta’s birth, I was to offer for her hand when I reached five-and-twenty and thus further strengthen a long and dear friendship between my parents and my godparents.’’
    “Idiots all,” said Lady Cassandra without heat. She had heard the story once years before, when her daughter had conveyed the information in that maudlin sentimental way that always set up Lady Cassandra’s back.
    On that occasion, she recalled, she had reacted with such acerbity that the pretty tale had never been referred to again in her presence. Naturally, that accounted for the length of the explanation in the countess’s letter to remind her of the circumstances behind the viscount’s upcoming nuptials. But the viscount had put a firm oar of his own into the serene waters and that must roil the depths just a bit.
    Lady Cassandra took note of her grandson’s expression of astonishment. “Did you assume that I would condone such sentimental claptrap? How little you know of me, my boy.” She reflected a moment. “And how little I know of you, I have discovered, and much to my chagrin.” She shrugged. “But that is neither here nor there. What must be decided is how we shall go on.”
    “We, Grandmamma?” asked Lord Humphrey, hardly daring to hope that he had found an ally, after all. He left the mantel and went to perch comfortably on the arm of a chair.
    Lady Cassandra fixed him with a withering stare. “You are perhaps becoming deaf at your tender years, Edward?”
    Lord Humphrey grinned. “No, Grandmamma. I brought Joan to you in just such hopes of your understanding. I wish to spare her as much embarrassment as possible, despite the odd circumstances.”
    Lady Cassandra nodded in satisfaction. She turned to her grandson’s bride.
    Joan had sat quietly by, her somber regard turning from one to the other of her companions as they spoke. Her gaze now fixed on Lady Cassandra’s face as she waited to hear what the grand lady would say to it all. Her heart beat rather fast with her nervousness. She sternly reminded herself that she must bear whatever was decided, for with the viscount’s ring and the exchange of vows between them, she had accepted as well whatever difficulties must arise.
    “My dear, we must contrive a plausible story for you. I agree with Edward that scandal must be avoided at all costs. A runaway marriage is not at all the thing, even in more informal circles than ours. It will be best to cover up the very existence of the marriage,” said Lady Cassandra.
    Joan was completely taken aback by her ladyship’s verdict. Though she had thought that she could expect resistance and even unfriendliness, she had never dreamed that Lady Cassandra would actually repudiate her. Casting an appalled glance at the viscount, she saw that he was equally stunned.
    “What are you about, Grandmamma?” Lord Humphrey asked. His gray eyes had darkened. He said softly, “I’ll not deny my wife.”
    Joan cast his lordship another swift, startled glance. The iron determination in his voice gave her a strange, fluttering feeling deep within her.
    “I am not asking you to compromise your honor, Edward,” said Lady Cassandra tartly. “Exercise a bit of patience, I pray you. Joan, when you arrive at Dewesbury, you shall be engaged to my grandson.”
    Joan looked at Lady Cassandra, struggling to make sense of her ladyship’s convolutions. She shook her head in defeated bewilderment. “Engaged, my lady? But why?”
    “That is ridiculous. I cannot