A Most Sinful Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page B

Rotherhild,” he purred. “I will find out.”
    Yes, she thought, I believe you will.
    “Were you named after a rare botanical specimen?”
    “Thank goodness, no.”
    “Ah, you don’t have your father’s interest in botany then?” He quirked an eyebrow at her.
    “Definitely not. George and I are at one on the subject of botany, Lord Kent.”
    “I see.” Did he appear a little disappointed? But before she could decide he was speaking again. “Then who are you named for, Miss Rotherhild? Please, keep me in suspense no longer.”
    “I am named for no one but myself,” Marissa said, feeling her cheeks growing pink. “My parents don’t believe in reusing family names. We are all different and unique and we should be given a name to celebrate that fact.” She lifted her chin. “Marissa. My name is Marissa.”
    A spark lit his eyes. “Marissa. It suits you.”
    “I expect you think of people as roses,” she said quickly, to stop him from embarrassing her further. “George told me that…” She bit her lip, suddenlyconscious that once again what George had said was probably not something he’d expected her to repeat to his brother.
    Valentine smiled his fascinating smile. “Go on, Marissa,” he invited her. “I am always interested to hear what George says about me when I’m not there.”
    “I assure you it was nothing you could take offence to,” she said, her color higher than ever. “George said he believed you thought of him as a climbing rose that needed constant pruning in case it escaped the trellis.”
    He considered her words. “I rather think George is right.”
    And as she found herself once more caught in the brilliance of his eyes, Marissa could not help but wonder what sort of rose he saw in her. Something irritating and thorny, or one of the more dull, domestic varieties? A pity she didn’t quite dare to ask because suddenly she desperately wanted to know.
     
    After luncheon the two men removed themselves to discuss “business.” Remembering the nuances of their conversation, the strangeness of their manner, Marissa could not help but think there was something wrong despite their assurances that there wasn’t. Her fears regarding George raised their head again, and the more she considered, the more convinced she was that she was right. Why else would George abandon her like this after inviting her for the weekend? Could Lord Kent—she must remember to think of him as Valentine—have been instrumental in whisking George away? But whywould he do that? Was he playing the overly protective brother, as George seemed to suggest, shielding him from a woman he didn’t consider good enough for him? But that didn’t fit. Marissa had been positive that when Valentine came face-to-face with his guests in the parlor he was utterly taken aback by their unexpected arrival.
    “Marissa?”
    Lady Bethany was watching her with interest. “You are miles away, my dear. Whatever are you thinking of?”
    Marissa shook her head, realizing that she was in danger of being as wildly imaginative as her grandmother had accused her of earlier. “Nothing of importance, Grandmamma.” She smiled. “Valentine is a very unlikely name for Lord Kent, is it not?”
    Lady Bethany smiled back wickedly. “I think it very suitable, Marissa, but then I have a great deal more experience of life than you. Now, I believe I will go and take a nap. What will you do?”
    “I’m not tired so I will probably read or—or walk in the garden. Go and have your nap, Grandmamma, so you can look your best for later.”
    “And why would I want to look my best?” Lady Bethany asked cagily.
    “You can’t pretend to me you aren’t enjoying Lord Jasper’s company,” Marissa said.
    “Nonsense,” Lady Bethany retorted, her voice sharper than usual.
    Marissa was surprised at her grandmother’s reaction. Her flirtatious manner seemed to have quite deserted her and there was a serious expression in her eyes. Marissa had never