No Man's Bride Read Online Free Page A

for his lovely intended, Quint accepted a glass of champagne from a passing footman and then stopped the servant to ask if he knew where Miss Fullbright might be.
    The footman did not, but he promised to inquire and return with the information. Quint nodded and sipped his champagne, at the same time watching the dancers on the floor of the ballroom.
    He was surprised Elizabeth was not dancing. Certainly she could not want for partners. Then just as Quint emptied his glass, the footman reappeared. “Are you still looking for Miss Fullbright, my lord?”
    “Yes.”
    “No one has seen her, sir. You might check the terrace. Through those doors.”
    “Thank you.” Valentine slipped the man a shilling and arrowed for the terrace. But when Quint stepped outside, he found the balcony empty. It was early April, and there was a chill in the air. Not many ladies would brave the cold on a night like this. Frowning, Quint surveyed the area more carefully. Had the footman been mistaken or—
    The bushes at the far end of the balcony rustled,and then two hands appeared on the balustrade. There was a grunt and then a head and shoulders appeared, and as Quint stared in amazement, a girl hauled herself up and onto the stone railing. She swung her legs over and then leaned down to brush her skirts off, as though she did this sort of thing every day.
    “I can’t decide if you’re a cat burglar or a guest hoping to make a fabulous entrée.”
    The girl’s head snapped up. “Who are you?” she said, taking a step back.
    “Who am I ?” Quint chuckled. The interloper had courage. He pulled out a cheroot. “I’m a guest with an exceedingly conventional entrance. No match for you. I came in through the front door.”
    She backed up again until she was flush against the stone banister. “So did I. I was only in the bushes because”—she glanced over the side as though looking for an inspired excuse—“because I lost something.”
    “Did you find it?” Quint lit the cheroot.
    “No.” The bushes below her heaved and swayed. “I mean, yes. I don’t require any assistance.”
    “Well, you might if you don’t step away from the banister.” Quint walked toward her. “It sounds like there’s something down there.”
    She immediately stepped in front of him, blocking his view. “Why do you say that?”
    Something grunted, and a branch below cracked. Quint raised a brow. “Because I bloodywell hear it, that’s why. Now step away before you’re hurt.”
    She shook her head and continued to block him. She was a tall woman, barely a head shorter than he, and he could not see past her. “I’m afraid I cannot do that,” she said. “I cannot move unless—unless you come with me. I couldn’t live with myself if you were hurt by that—dog.”
    The dog made a very human grunting noise. The woman was obviously daft. She was either truly afraid for him or didn’t want him to see what was over the railing.
    Quint craned his head one last time. What was she hiding? Her lover? All he saw was darkness.
    “Very well, I will retreat if you will,” he said, giving in. He moved back, and she followed. “I came outside because I was looking for Miss Fullbright.”
    “Oh!” She paused midstride. “But I am Miss Fullbright.”
    But the woman looking at him was not Elizabeth at all. In fact, she was a poor substitute for his intended. Whereas his Elizabeth was petite and fair with a fall of blond curls and big blue eyes, this woman was tall and olive-skinned with hair so dark it was black. Pieces of that hair fell haphazardly over her eyes so that he could not determine their color, but he saw no resemblance whatsoever to his betrothed. Perhaps she was so daft she was now impersonating others?
    “I must be mistaken. Did you say you were Miss Fullbright?” He could see no harm in giving her the opportunity to rectify her erroneous claim.
    “I did. Who are you?” she asked. She swiped a strand of hair from her face and when she did