The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Sebastian remarked.
    “What does it matter? We leave for London soon, and if Mother has her
way, I’ll become betrothed once again. There is one problem with her plans. I
will never leave Olivia. What gentleman will marry a woman with a bastard
child?” Amelia placed her hand over her heart. “I will not marry anyone without
telling him the truth. A husband deserves no less. Olivia and I deserve no
less. And if he cannot take the truth and live with the consequences then he is
not worthy of my love. Nor I of his. Do you even think there is such a man out
there?”
    Her brother’s eyes said it all.
    “No. I didn’t think so either,” Amelia said with a saddened heart.
    “Amelia,” Sebastian pleaded, “you do not understand.”
    She held her chin high, pulled her shoulders back. “I understand
perfectly. So why is Mother insisting on me having another Season when nothing
can come of it?”
    “I’m sorry, Amelia,” Sebastian said. “I might have written Mother and
told her you’re sad. Perhaps she thinks having another Season will help. The
only time you seem truly happy is when you’re with Olivia.”
    “Should a mother not be happy with her child?”
    “Yes, of course, but we want you happy—always.”
    Rising on tiptoes, Amelia gave her brother a quick kiss on the cheek. “I
love you, too. And you know I’d be perfectly content to live here to the end of
my days. But I’ll go to London and pretend to enjoy myself to please Mother.
And when the Season ends I will come back here and live quietly and be a good
mother to Olivia. Dear God, some days I feel twice my age.”
    Sebastian took her hand and tugged her along the path to their home. “I
understand. I feel the same way at times.” He shot her a secretive look. “Race
you home,” he challenged and took off running full speed.
    ***
    The day before Amelia was to head for London, she hoped to see Lord
Bridgeton once more. As she sat down on the banks of the stream, watching the
clouds travel by in the brisk breeze, his face appeared in her mind. A stab of
guilt pierced her soul as she thought about her captain and realized she had
placed her grief in a far corner of her heart, leaving it open to another.
“Please forgive me, Daniel.”
    The snapping of twigs had Amelia sitting up straight and glancing in
the direction of the sounds. A wide smile broke out on her face and her pulse
raced as she glimpsed William crossing the stream on foot, not giving a care
for the water level. She giggled. He’d walked right into the stream, boots and
all, and plopped down beside her on the stream bank. His legs bent up and his
elbows rested on his knees.
    “I hoped I would see you before you left.”
    Oh, dear God. Amelia knew if she were discovered here, she would be in so much trouble. Yet she had been curious to learn what she truly felt when
she was with this man. There was something between them that thrilled her, drew
her to him. But what? Perhaps she was a wanton and needed to be confined to a
convent. Regardless, she had to admit William’s voice did things to her body
Daniel’s voice had never done––never mind the heat she felt radiating from his
body. The sooner she left for London the better as she did not trust herself to
be alone with William any longer. Before she left, however, she wanted to kiss
him, but she feared she would shock him with her forwardness.
    Distance would be essential afterwards. It would be a good thing.
    “I almost didn’t come here today, though once I decided to, I hoped to
see you,” she replied softly.
    His warm hand reached out and stroked her cheek, causing her whole body
to shiver. “Why did you hesitate, Amelia?”
    “I don’t know.” Amelia could not tell him the truth. That from
experience she knew she wanted him as a woman wanted a man––as women had wanted
men since the beginning of time.
    “Did your brother warn you to stay away from here…from me?” he asked
cautiously.
    “No. I mean yes,” she