How to Woo... A Reluctant Bride Read Online Free PDF

and gold sari. He stared, open-mouthed, as lust rocked his body. The soft fabric clung to the outline of her hips and bosom, and left a small glimpse of her tiny waistline. All he could think of was peeling the cloth off her body a little at a time and kissing each inch of exposed white skin.
    “Evan?”
    In a fog, he moved toward Lydia and reached for her hand. “You look beautiful.”
    “Thank you,” she said, though her expression was unreadable.
    He took her hand and held it to his pounding heart, wanting her to know what she did to him. Better she not look lower to see the evidence of his desire tenting his pants. He struggled to control his reaction.
    “Zahra gave me this as a wedding present,” Lydia confided. “She said I should wear it on our wedding night.”
    “I look forward to it,” he assured her fervently. He pulled her closer, his other on her bare waist. “Your skin is like silk, so soft and smooth.”
    Her hand crept up to circle his neck and play with his hair, and he pressed his hips against her stomach. “Do you see how much I want you?”
    Her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips. He leaned down to capture her mouth, using his lips and tongue to explore her. She caught on quickly, mimicking his actions.
    He slipped his hand under her choli to cup one breast. Her nipple hardened under his touch.
    “Evan!”
    He grinned at her scandalized expression. “I want you, Lydia.”
    “I know, but not here .”
    He shook his head, reminded they were in Zahra’s parlor. What was he thinking? “Forgive me.”
    “For what? This has been quite an evening.”
    He chuckled. “I suppose it has.”
    Then Lydia leaned closer and whispered in his ear. “Why did you not tell me who Zahra really is? If Mother finds out I have been consorting with a courtesan…”
    “Are you going to tell her?”
    Her face relaxed into a smile. “Heavens, no. And ruin such a delicious secret?”
    Evan laughed in relief. Suddenly he found himself wishing the wedding were tomorrow.

Chapter 3, Consummation
    “…the man should do whatever the girl takes most delight in, and he should get for her whatever she may have a desire to possess.” —The Kama Sutra of Vatsyayana
     
    London, July 1885
     
    It’s not too late. You could still back out.
    The thought repeated over and over in Lydia’s mind as Iverson, who had been promoted to lady’s maid, helped her prepare for her wedding. The three weeks since the engagement had flown by, and before she knew it—before she was ready for it—the date had arrived.
    What on earth had possessed her to insist on such a short engagement? She fought down the rising panic. Was it too late to reconsider, to beg Evan to postpone the ceremony?
    She clenched her fists until her nails dug into her palms. “What have I done?” she wondered aloud.
    “Beg pardon, miss?”
    Lydia let out a breath and met her maid’s gaze in the mirror. Iverson was styling her hair in an elaborate fashion for the wedding. “Nothing. Pray continue.”
    “Having second thoughts, miss?”
    “How did you guess?”
    Iverson chuckled. “I’ve known you since you were a child, Miss Lydia. Besides, ’tis not uncommon for brides to suffer from jitters and second thoughts.”
    “But it is far too late to back out, is it not?”
    “It is indeed, miss,” Iverson confirmed with a jerk of the hairbrush.
    “Yes.” Lydia closed her eyes in resignation. Her fate was decided.
    “He seems like a good man,” Iverson said. “Kind, anyway.”
    Lydia glanced up at Iverson’s reflection. The maid had a stubborn look on her face. Of course, she had something at stake, too. Her position as lady’s maid to a married woman was an improvement in status.
    “Yes, he is,” Lydia confirmed.
    “You could have done worse.”
    “I know .” Lydia bit off the word with more emphasis. Iverson’s mouth tightened, but she said no more.
    Once her hair was done, Lydia accepted Iverson’s help donning her wedding gown. It