Free Once Upon an Accident 01 - The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schroeder Page B

Sebastian grabbed her arm to be sure she didn’t pass out. From the look on her face, one would think being married to him was a fate worse than death. Not that he thought himself to be the catch of the season, but it was damned irritating that the thought of marriage almost sent his wife into a dead faint.
    “Reconsider our arrangement?” she asked hoarsely. “What makes you think…?” She jerked her arm out of his hand. “What makes you think I want to continue this arrangement ?”
    “Good Lord, woman, sit down before you faint.”
    The reprimand was enough to bring her back to life. Her face flushed, and her nostrils flared. That handle tightened in her back. Thank God she had her pride and tenacity. He could never deal with fainthearted women.
    “I do not have fainting spells. I’m sure the women you acquaint yourself with—”
    “What an interesting term, ‘acquaint’. I’ve never thought about it that way.”
    Her eyes rounded, and she sputtered. Actually sputtered! Deciding he had the upper hand, he changed the subject.
    “We are in a bit of a predicament, you and I.”
    “You signed a contract. You said you would send a telegram of your death.”
    He shook his head. “Colleen, that would never hold up, and what are you going to do? Take me to the justices? Let the whole world know that we struck a bargain?”
    “Everyone in this town knows I despise titled men.”
    “We live in a society that would never side with you in court.”
    Her shoulders slumped and her lip quivered. “You said you would stick to the bargain and leave me alone.” Her voice was flat, emotionless. He did not like it at all. He liked her breathing fire and spitting insults.
    “That was before Mother showed up. She’d throw a fit if I denied her wishes. It isn’t as if I’m thrilled about this arrangement either, Colleen. I never planned on marrying again.”
    She walked around the bed and paced in front of her door. The dress she wore was a horrible shade of brown, buttoned up to her throat. It sagged in the bodice and the design made her look like a giraffe. Still, he couldn’t help watching the sway of her hips as she marched back and forth.
    “There has to be a way out of this!”
    “There is, but it would ruin your reputation.” He leaned against the windowsill, crossing his arms. “I know that it isn’t fair, but I’d not be touched by the scandal. Oh, I’m sure there would be a few invitations I would miss, but well, I’m an earl.”
    Even as the words left his mouth, he couldn’t fathom his new position. He’d never thought to be an earl, happy to be the only son of a second son. All the money, none of the work. Taking the reigns of the estate would not be difficult, but to be the result of such a tragedy left a hollow pit in his stomach.
    “If anything, it would make me all the more interesting, especially to women.”
    That comment brought her pacing to a stop. She turned on him, slowly stomping in his direction. “You mean to say…” She took a deep breath as if trying to calm her nerves. “You would use my downfall as a way to acquire more women?” Her voice cracked on the last word.
    “Ah, you care. I can’t tell you what that means to me.”
    Her eyes narrowed and then turned steel grey. She continued closer and stopped within inches of him. Once again, the scent of hot sticky buns surrounded him and he found himself fighting not to lick his lips.
    “If we are going to make this marriage permanent, which seems to be the case, I think you need to become more accommodating,” he said.
    There! Acting like she was above being married to him. He was so busy being pleased with himself, he never saw the punch coming.
    Colleen screamed in pain when her fist connected with his nose. The crunch of bone filled the room, and she wasn’t sure if it was her hand or his nose. He cursed, his hands flying to his face.
    Tears gathered in her eyes as pain radiated from her knuckles up her arm. Her fingers