Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page A

Is it so very hard for you to comprehend that I might not see any great advantage in marriage, either?"
    "You seem to be overlooking the advantage of my money."
    Sophy glared at him. "That is, naturally, a strong inducement. It is, however, one which I can be persuaded to overlook. I may never be able to afford diamond-studded dancing slippers on the limited income left me by my father, but I shall be able to get by in reasonable comfort. And, more importantly, I will be able to spend that income exactly as I wish. If I marry, I lose that advantage."
    "Why don't you simply add to your list of demands that you will not be guided by your husband in matters of economy and finance, Miss Dorring?"
    "An excellent idea, my lord. I believe I will do exactly that. Thank you for pointing out the obvious solution to my dilemma."
    "Unfortunately, even if you find a male who is sufficiently lacking in reason as to grant you all of your wishes, you will have no legal way of guaranteeing that your husband abides by his word after the marriage, will you?"
    Sophy glanced down at her hands, knowing he was right. "No, my lord. I would be entirely dependent on my husband's sense of honor."
    "Be warned, Miss Dorring," Ravenwood said with soft menace, "A man's sense of honor might be inviolate when it comes to his gaming debts or his reputation as a sportsman but it means little when it comes to dealing with a woman."
    Sophy went cold. "Then I do not have much choice, do I? If that is so, I will never be able to take the risk of marriage."
    "You are wrong, Miss Dorring. You have already made your choice and now you must take your chances. You have said that you would be willing to marry me if I met your demands. Very well, I will agree to your requirements."
    Sophy stared at him openmouthedly. Her heart raced. "You will?"
    "The bargain is made." Ravenwood's big hands shifted slightly on the stallion's reins and the horse lifted his head alertly. "We will be married as soon as possible. Your grandfather is expecting me tomorrow at three. Tell him I wish to make all the arrangements at that time. Since you and I have succeeded in arriving at a private agreement, I will expect you to have the courage to be at home tomorrow when I call."
    Sophy was dumbfounded. "My lord, I do not fully comprehend you. Are you quite certain you wish to marry me on my terms?"
    Ravenwood smiled unpleasantly. His emerald eyes gleamed with harsh amusement. "The real question, Sophy, is how long you will be able to maintain your demands once you are confronted with the reality of being my wife."
    "My lord, your word of honor," Sophy said anxiously. "I must insist upon it."
    "If you were a man, I would call you out for even questioning it. You have my word, Miss Dorring."
    "Thank you, my lord. You truly do not mind that I will spend my money as I wish?"
    "Sophy, the quarterly allowance I will provide you will be considerably larger than your entire yearly income," Ravenwood said bluntly. "As long as you pay your bills out of what I allot you, I will not question your expenditures."
    "Oh. I see. And… and my books?"
    "I think I can handle whatever harebrained notions your books put into your head. I shall undoubtedly be annoyed from time to time but perhaps that will give us a basis for some interesting discussions, hm? God knows most women's conversations are enough to bore a man silly."
    "I shall endeavor not to bore you, my lord. But let us be certain we understand each other perfectly. You won't try to keep me buried in the country all year long?"
    "I'll allow you to accompany me to London when it's convenient, if that's truly what you want."
    "You are too kind, my lord. And my… my other demand?
    "Ah, yes. My guarantee not to, er, force myself upon you. I think we shall have to put a time limit on that one. After all, my main goal in all this is to obtain an heir."
    Sophy was instantly uneasy. "A time limit?"
    "How much time do you think you will require to grow