His Wicked Embrace Read Online Free PDF Page B

functions, Isabella realized there was no place in this elite circle for a young woman who was such an obvious embarrassment to her family.
    When she reached the age of twenty, Isabella realized her dismal situation was not going to change unless she took drastic action. In a rash act, Isabella made an impassioned speech to her grandfather and great-aunt about assuming responsibility for her own destiny and announced she was leaving to take a position as a governess.
    Secretly, she had hoped her grand gesture would somehow jolt her family into taking an interest in her future, or at the very least shame her grandfather into providing her with a modest income and a small dowry, but he, appeared vastly relieved to hear she was moving out of his house. Wounded, but not surprised, Isabella left, and her life as a governess began.
    Isabella quickly discovered it was a tenuous existence. Technically she was an employee, but she was seldom treated as a servant. Yet she was not regarded as a member of the family either. As a governess it became necessary to learn to live somewhere between the two.
    Her open nature and attractive person cost Isabella her first position. Lady Alcock did not approve of her, and when she realized that many of the young men calling at the house took more than a passing interest in the pretty young governess, she promptly dismissed Isabella.
    Isabella learned from her mistakes. In her next post she took great pains to appear less attractive by wearing only modest gowns of dull colors. She also drew her hair back severely. This made her look older and more like hired help. Whenever she was called upon to supervise her charges in front of company, she always quietly removed herself to a corner of the room, taking precautions to avoid drawing any attention to herself.
    The cool manner she adopted kept most of the young men at a distance. Yet the older males she chanced to encounter were more experienced, ignoring her when in the presence of others, but adept at catching her alone for a moment. Among gentlemen of society, governesses were considered fair game. It often amazed Isabella how normally civilized men could behave in such an uncivilized, boorish manner, especially when she told them in no uncertain terms that she was not interested in their scandalous propositions.
    Isabella did not find all males repugnant, however. She was genuinely flattered by the subtle attention she began receiving from the eldest son of the house. He was a shy, earnest young man of twenty-two, and while she did not encourage him, she also did not discourage him. The climax of their mutual admiration was an innocent stolen kiss, unfortunately witnessed by her would-be lothario’s overprotective mother. Isabella was immediately dismissed. Without a reference.
    When searching for a third post, Isabella decided to try a different route, and she became a companion to the Dowager Duchess of Osbourn. That post had the distinction of being the shortest in duration. The dowager duchess was a cantankerous old lady who proved very difficult to work for and live with. By mutual consent, Isabella left as soon as she secured the position she now held with the Brauns.
    Working for the Brauns was by far the most successful experience of her career, and Isabella finally felt a measure of security. The Brauns were of the merchant class, exceedingly wealthy but not socially elite, and that suited Isabella fine. There were no young bucks of the ton calling at the house to harass her, and the only male family member was the children’s father. Mr. Braun always treated her with the utmost respect. Isabella long suspected he was enthralled with the notion of having the granddaughter of an earl caring for and teaching his three children.
    The striking of the hall clock pulled Isabella’s attention back to the matters at hand. Knowing she would be late for her meeting if she did not hurry, she quickly left her room. Summoning up her finely