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

through him. It had always been the same when he came to visit. There had never been any animosity between his father and his uncle. Close in age and temperament, they tended to gravitate toward each other in family gatherings, sometimes excluding their youngest brother, James.
    She groaned and snuggled more closely against him. Well, that was one thing. She trusted him when she was sleeping and ill. Not a fantastic basis for a marriage, but it was a start.
    The servants lined the marbled hallway, all waiting to greet their new earl and his wife. Once Colleen felt better, she would blame this embarrassment on him, he was sure of it. For now, he reveled in having her close to him, dependent on him.
    His aunt Millicent stood at the base of the grand staircase. A small woman, much like his mother, she resembled what Sebastian thought of as the perfect English rose. Fair skin, fine bone structure, Cupid’s bow lips. Unfortunately, the blue eyes that had so often been filled with love and merriment emanated deep, unrelenting pain. Although she stood with the same dignity she had always exuded, an air of defeat surrounded her. For good reason, losing a husband and son in less than six months.
    “Sebastian, Victoria, Anna.” She slowly walked forward. The grief in her voice was so profound it nearly unmanned him. Her eyes, which were brimming with tears, shifted to his wife. “I received your message last night.”
    “Millicent.” His mother rushed forward and embraced his aunt. She released Millicent but kept her arm around her waist.
    “So much has happened in the last few days. Why don’t we go into the parlor while Sebastian takes Colleen upstairs for some much-needed rest?” his mother asked.
    Fitzgerald stepped forward. “Refreshments should be ready in a moment. Your rooms are ready if you will follow me, my lord.”
    Sebastian followed Fitzgerald up the stairs, realizing that for the first time the estate, these servants, his family were all his responsibility.
     
    *
     
    “She’s Scottish?” asked Prudence, Victoria’s younger sister-in-law.
    Victoria had never really liked Prudence. A couple years younger, she remembered the woman when she made her debut. A more mean and spiteful debutante had probably never graced the halls of Almack’s before or since. She’d been after a duke and then settled for a third son. She was a beauty, even today years later, but her mean nature added years to her face.
    The note of censure in her voice could not be missed. A snob of the first order, Prudence had thought she missed out on the earldom by marrying a younger son. Victoria finished pouring the tea and schooled her features before turning around to face her.
    “Her father was, although she was raised in York. From what Colleen has told me, her parents married against the wishes of both their families. They’ve had little or no contact with them. Even when she found herself alone and handling a small farm, she didn’t go to them. Partially because she doesn’t know where to look, but I think if she did, she wouldn’t.”
    “What kind of woman would do such a thing?”
    “A strong one,” Anna piped in. Victoria had to bite her lip to keep from smiling.
    “Well, if she trapped him into marriage—”
    “Let us have one understanding. Colleen is my daughter-in-law. She’s the new Countess of Penwyth. In this we will agree, particularly in public. With the rumors surrounding Sebastian’s first marriage and those surrounding the recent…accidents…we need to present a united front. Do I make myself clear?”
    Prudence’s eyes rounded and she nodded. Victoria should have felt guilty, but she had to protect Sebastian and the title. Colleen was perfect for her arrogant son. With her quick wit and fiery temper, Victoria knew Sebastian wouldn’t be able to ignore his wife. And with a little push in the right direction, she would be a grandmother within a year.
     
    *
     
    Sebastian studied Colleen’s features