An Invitation to Sin Read Online Free PDF Page A

open to the breeze of her movements across the room. He would know from her bare feet that she wore no stockings.
    Just see what a bramble-patch your curiosity has led you to, Anna Featherstone! And you knew all along it was wrong and foolish.
    Anna’s hands shook as she opened the table to lift the heavy-based tumbler and the cut-glass decanter. She managed to pour the brandy without spilling any, then put the decanter down and turned.
    His brows were raised. “Do you think you’re serving a dowager? Fill it up, girl!”
    Anna looked at the glass, at the modest amount she had poured, the amount her father would drink. A full glass would surely deprive a man of his wits. But that might be good. She filled it almost to the brim.
    Then she had to take it to him. She wished her arms would suddenly become ten feet long, but they didn’t and so she had to walk over to stand by his chair.
    She waited, but he made no attempt to reach for the glass, and so she had to press against his stretched legs to put it in his right hand. His boots rubbed against her calves through the cotton and something—almost an emanation—set her nerves jumping with panic. As soon as he took the glass she stepped back but his left hand shot out to seize the front of her nightdress.
    “Oh, no, you don’t. What’s your name?”
    Anna leaned back, desperate that his hand not brush her body. “Maggie!” she gasped, plucking the first name that came to mind.
    He gathered in more of the cotton, pulling her closer, bringing her body close to his fist. “Well, Maggie, were you going to steal the books, or can you actually read?”
    “I can read, sir!”
    He drank from the glass in his right hand. “My lord,” he corrected. A glint in his eye told her he knew just how uncomfortable she was.
    “Sorry, milord,” she muttered, though she wanted to do the wretch a very painful physical injury. What right had he to tease a poor maid this way, even if he had found her in his library? And more to the point, what were his true intentions? Anna knew how the wicked part of the world behaved.
    “You’ll have to prove it,” he said.
    Anna jumped. “Prove what, milord?”
    He abruptly released her. “That you can read. Choose one of those revolting novels and read me a passage.”
    Anna thought again of running, but knew it was pointless. Instead she accepted the test. Once he saw she was in here in search of reading material, perhaps he would let her go even if he did intend to dismiss her in the morning. Once she was out of this room unescorted, she could be back in her bed in moments.
    She returned to the shelf. Avoiding Forbidden Affections, she chose Cruel Matrimony.
    When she opened it, she realized with surprise that it had never been read. The pages weren’t even cut. She could read the first page, however.
    “Was any woman so profoundly miserable as beautiful Melisande de La Fleur when the dreadful news descended upon her? She was to wed the dread lord of Breadalbane? Never!”
    “Enough,” said the earl disdainfully, swallowing more brandy. “So you can read, and with an educated accent, too. Who the devil are you?”
    Anna cursed her carelessness in letting her servant’s tones drop, and knew she was turning red with guilt. “I was raised gently, yes, my lord, but have no choice now but service.”
    “Plunged into dire poverty, are you?” His voice gentled as he said, “Perhaps we can find you an alternative to base service, my dear. Loose your hair.”
    It took a moment for Anna to guess his meaning, but then her breath caught. “No. Please, my lord—”
    “Obey me.” It was said without great emphasis, yet it chilled her protests.
    Anna heard a whimper, and knew it was her own. She should scream, but who would hear?
    What would happen if she told him who she was? Would the wicked Earl of Carne continue his vile seduction when he knew she was the gently bred daughter of his neighbor?
    If he did, said the logical part of her, then