Jacquie D'Alessandro Read Online Free PDF

Intimate Fulfillment, Mr. Stanton.”
    “ Me? A ladies ’ guide?” He chuckled, torn whether he was more astonished or amused by her words. “Of course I haven’t read it.”
    “Then how can you possibly call it ‘scandalous, appalling, trash-filled balderdash’?”
    “I don’t need to read the actual words to know the content. That Guide has become the main topic of conversation in the city.” He smiled, but her expression did not change. “As you’ve spent the past two months in Little Longstone, you couldn’t know the stir that book has caused with the nonsensical ideas put forth by the author. You’ve only to listen to the gentlemen in this very room to realize that not only is the book filled with idiotic notions, but apparently it is poorly written as well. Charles Brightmore is a renegade, and possesses little, if any, literary talent.”
    Twin flags of color rose on her cheeks, and her narrowed gaze grew positively frosty. Warning bells rang in Andrew’s mind, suggesting—unfortunately a few words too late—that he’d committed a grave tactical error. She lifted her chin and shot him a look that somehow managed to appear as if she were looking down her nose at him, quite a feat, considering he stood a good six inches taller than she.
    “I must say that I’m surprised, not to mention disappointed, to discover that you hold such narrow views, Mr. Stanton. I would have thought that a man of your vast traveling experience would be more open to new, modernideas. And that at the very least, you were a man who would take the time to examine all the facts and form your own opinions on a topic, rather than relying on hearsay from others—especially others who most likely also have not read the book.”
    Andrew’s brows rose at her tone. “I do not hold narrow ideas at all, Lady Catherine. However, I don’t believe it is necessary to experience something to know it is not to my liking or does not mesh with my beliefs,” he said mildly, wondering how their conversation had veered onto this out-of-the-way path. “If someone tells me that rotten fish smells bad, I am perfectly content to take their word for it—I do not feel the need to stick my nose in the barrel to sniff for myself.” He chuckled. “It almost sounds as if you’ve read this Guide —and found favor with its far-fetched ideals.”
    “If it only almost sounds as if I’ve read the Guide , then I don’t believe you are listening closely enough, Mr. Stanton, an affliction I fear you share with most men.”
    Certain his hearing had indeed become afflicted, Andrew said slowly, “Don’t tell me you’ve read that book.”
    “Very well, I won’t tell you that.”
    “But you…have?” His words sounded more like an accusation than a question.
    “Yes.” She shot him an unmistakably challenging glare. “Numerous times, in fact. And I did not find the ideals it put forth the least bit far-fetched. Quite the opposite in fact.”
    Andrew could only stare. Lady Catherine had read that scandalous rag? Numerous times? Had embraced its precepts? Impossible. Lady Catherine was a paragon. The epitome of a perfect, gently bred, sedate lady. But clearly she had read it, for there was no mistaking her words or obstinate expression.
    “You appear quite stunned, Mr. Stanton.”
    “In truth, I am.”
    “Why? By your own admission, nearly every woman in London has read the Guide . Why should it surprise you so that I would read it?”
    Because you are not every woman. Because I don’t want you to be “independent” and “modern.” I want you to need me. Want me. Love me. As I need and want and love you. Good God, if that bastard Brightmore’s drivel had turned Lady Catherine into some sort of upstart bluestocking, the man would pay dearly. All this bloody nonsense about “today’s modern woman” certainly wouldn’t help Andrew in his quest to court her. Based on what she’d said about Lord Nordnick, he already ran the risk of