Seducing Mr Storm Read Online Free PDF Page A

much as Elijah’s very presence electrified her, she wished to be safe and sound back at home.
    Elijah turned his stunning eyes on her. His gaze passed admiringly over the curves of her body in the green gown in a rather blatant way. She presented her hand reluctantly and saw his meaningful smile as his sensual mouth brushed her knuckles, sending sparks of desire throughout her whole body. Susanna snatched her hand away as quickly as she could. She gulped some wine, her cheeks flushing.
    Elijah turned his attention to Lucy. ‘I’d like to offer my humblest of apologies for missing my dance with you,’ he said.
    Susanna scowled as Lucy blushed and simpered. What the hell was he playing at? He’d snubbed her in favour of Susanna and Sarah and now wanted to make it up to her? Was that was this invitation was about? Was it simply to rub her nose in the fact she would never get anything more respectable from him than spectating on his self-pleasure? Oh God, how would she deal with this man as her brother-in-law? She would go completely to pieces.
    Lucy tried to be cool in accepting his apology, but she was too much the gauche girl with him to bear him a grudge. Susanna wished her sister would make him work much harder for her affections, but then she could hardly talk: how hard had she made Elijah work for her that night in the library? Nonetheless, things had not actually gone far enough that he had ruined her reputation. It was not too late to have nothing more to do with him.
    Elijah escorted Lucy and Elizabeth through to the large, gloomy dining room, one on each arm, leaving the other Seymours trailing behind. Her father exchanged a glance with Susanna. Perhaps he knew her mind entirely. She wondered what he thought about welcoming Mr Storm to the family.
    Candlelight flickered on Elijah’s face as he sat at the head of the table, with his guests seated on either side. Soup was served as Lucy chattered about the social highlights of that year and what was to come. Elizabeth sat contentedly, her husband and elder daughter ignored, her attention wholly focused on the repartee between Elijah and Lucy. Susanna saw no chemistry between the couple, though. Elijah might have been attentive, even gently flirtatious, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. It made her think again that his invitation was nothing more than a cruel trick. Did he really pretend interest in Lucy in order to spite Susanna?
    She gulped her wine and wished an end to the evening. Elijah turned his incredible eyes on her and raked her insides with his sensuality. Damn it, he wouldn’t let this spark between them rest until he had ruined her, she was sure of it. What was she going to do about dampening his ardour? She knew one thing would work. Something wild and dangerous. If she gave herself to him, he would lose interest. He would cast her off and then marry her sister. He would never reveal what they had done for the sake of his new family’s honour, and she would be safe. She would also have experienced him just once and it would be more than enough of this man one could never hope to trust. Or even like.
    She clenched her hands into fists below the table, gaze fixed on her plate, debating back and forth with herself. She could seduce him. She could make it clear she offered herself on condition he married Lucy. As she was beyond capturing a man now, why not sacrifice herself for her sister’s and her mother’s happiness? Who would know or care about her ruin? She lifted her head and caught Elijah’s eye. He seemed puzzled and unsettled by the new determination he must have seen there. Perhaps the boot was on the other foot, finally.
    She had decided.

    After dinner Elijah suggested a turn around the garden. Everyone was surprised, the hour being late, but in early summer, twilight was still some while away. It was chilly nonetheless, fires burning in the grates of the gloomy house. Lucy and Elizabeth were keen, while Edward remained nursing a glass