The Earl's Secret Bargain Read Online Free PDF Page A

husband as possible? It seemed like a lonely way to live. With a sigh, she picked up her cup of tea and drank it for no other reason than to have something to do besides feign merriment over this conversation.
    “Securing a titled gentleman isn’t really that hard,” Lady Seyton continued. “All gentlemen want to be important. It’s in their blood. Even if he’s not a king of a country, he wants to be the king of his home. Make him think that you adore him , and when you snap your fingers, he’ll come running to do your bidding. A simple compliment here and there can do wonders.”
    “What if there’s nothing to compliment?” her mother asked.
    “Oh, there’s always something.”
    “What if he laughs like a hyena?”
    “Tell him he has a marvelous sense of humor to find things he can laugh about. ‘It’s a gift, my lord, to find pleasure in the things around you.’”
    This earned another round of giggles.
    Regina forced a light chuckle. Her father wasn’t a titled gentleman, but he had accumulated significant wealth. No doubt it was his wealth that made her mother happy.
    Though it was a shame, it wasn’t uncommon. Most gentlemen sought some gain from a marriage, as did most ladies. She couldn’t fau lt them for it. And being the only child, Regina would give her future husband a sizable inheritance. It put her in an ideal position, really. She had her pick of titled gentlemen. Already two were showing an interest in her. She should be enjoying the whole process of picking the gentleman she fancied. But wasn’t it peculiar that in one evening two expressed an interest in her? She hadn’t gathered any real interest up to now.
    Well, there was Lord Nestleton who asked to see her three times, but during that third visit , it became apparent he preferred her mother. She had to hand it to her mother. She put a stop to the nonsense at once. At least, her mother was a faithful wife.
    “You can do better than him,” her mother said after she told Lord Nestleton to leave. “Titled gentlemen are everywhere. You miss one, another will come by.”
    And now it seemed as if her mo ther’s foresight had paid off.
    “Regina,” her mother said, breaking her from her thoughts.
    She looked at her mother.
    “Lady Seyton asked you to stand up,” her mother continued.
    Regina rose to her feet and faced the lady.
    “Walk from that side of the room to the other,” Lady Seyton instructed, pointing from the closed door to the window.
    Her eyebrows furrowed. What did walking have to do with getting a gentleman to propose? She thought to ask this, but the expectant look on her mother’s face stopped her. With a nod, she went to the door and traveled across the room. When she reached the window, she turned toward Lady Seyton who slightly frowned.
    “Your walk isn’t bad,” she began as she tapped her finger on her lips. “But there’s room for improvement.”
    “Which is true with anything,” her mother added. “No matter how much we polish our skills, we can always polish them up a little more.”
    “Yes, that’s true.” She strode over to Regina and studied her. “You have wonderful posture. I can tell you’re trying hard to please your mother.”
    At that, her mother’s face lit up in pleasure. The silent action startled Regina. She had no idea her mother cared if she tried to please her or not.
    “Let’s try tilting your chin a little higher,” Lady Seyton said. “Not too high, you understand. You don’t want people to think you’re arrogant. Here.” She placed her finger under Regina’s chin and lifted it so slightly that Regina had trouble telling the difference. “Then let’s put your shoulders back like this.” She adjusted her shoulders. “And then straighten your back a tad.” She pressed into the small of her back. “There. It doesn’t hurt to show off your best assets.” She winked.
    It took Regina a moment to realize the lady was referring to her breasts which stood out more than