Perfect Bride Read Online Free PDF

he now?”
    “Precisely. But isn’t that all the more reason to wait until she’s awake and able to speak, and then see how the game plays out?” When Sebastian said nothing, Justin gave a tiny shake of his head. “After all, it’s hardly like you to act impulsively.”
    It was true. Impulsive was the one thing Sebastian would never be. He preferred order in his life. He was methodical, a meticulous planner. In his mind, it was why he usually achieved what he wanted.
    “I hardly consider notifying the authorities an im pulsive act,” he said slowly. “But I suppose you’re right. We should speak with her first.”
    Justin cocked his head to the side. “I must admit, I’m surprised you agree so readily. Perhaps you’ve taken a fancy to the chit?”
    Sebastian gave a short laugh. “I do believe I prefer my women to be more refined than thieves.”
    “Ah, yes. There is that matter of respectability. Ad mit it, though. She does have the most glorious breasts.”
    Sebastian slanted his brother a thoroughly dis gusted look.
    “What, Sebastian! Are you going to say you didn’t notice? Are you going to say you didn’t look?”
    Once again Sebastian maintained his silence. But this time he cursed the dull, red flush that crept be neath his skin.
    Justin chuckled. “I know better, Sebastian. Lord knows I admire your discretion, but I am your brother, after all. And I’m aware you’ve kept a num ber of mistresses over the years. Pray tell, who is the latest?” He tapped a finger to his brow, as if engaged in great concentration. “I have it! Lilly, is it not?”
    Sebastian sighed but made no reply. Heaven help him, Justin needed no further encouragement!
    “Come now, Sebastian. I know you’ve a fondness for women.”
    “As do you.” God, what an understatement! He emptied his glass, then set it aside. “There’s some thing you should know, however, before you hear it elsewhere.” He paused, then said, “I’ve decided to take a bride.”
    Justin erupted into laughter, then all at once stopped short. “Dear God,” he said incredulously, “you’re serious!”
    “Quite.”
    “And you made the announcement tonight?”
    Sebastian smiled to himself. “In a manner of speaking.”
    “Well, either you did or you didn’t.”
    While Justin listened, Sebastian relayed the scene played out earlier in the evening as Sophia Edwina Richfield, the dowager duchess of Carrington, had made her round of farewells. She’d peered at him in the prim, stately way of hers from beneath snowy white curls. It was then she made her declaration, for that was the dowager’s way, ever forthright, ever direct.
    “My boy,” she stated as she came to him, “it’s time you had a wife and children.”
    Naturally a collective gasp was heard. All sound ceased. There had been little need to peruse the room to be aware that every head had turned, every ear strained to the limit to hear his reply.
    And so Sebastian had merely kissed the duchess’s hand. “Your Grace,” he murmured, “I do believe you may be right.”
    Sebastian knew then and there what would hap pen next, for he was a man who did nothing without weighing the consequences. His agreement with the duchess would be bandied about at once. Tongues would wag, and his presence at every party and fete he attended for weeks to come would be noted by the ton . What he wore, what he ate, to whom he spoke, and, most notably, the women with whom he danced would most assuredly become fodder for the rags. A regrettable necessity, he supposed.
    “You should have attended,” he finished with a faint smile. “I’m sure you’d have found it most enter taining.”
    “The Farthingale affairs are always the most bor ing, tedious parties imaginable!” Justin rolled his eyes. “But to think you did not seek my counsel be fore coming to such a momentous decision. You’ve hurt my feelings tremendously, Sebastian.”
    “Yes,” Sebastian remarked dryly, “so I see. And I know what