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

not
have––”
    “What did you say?” William tilted her chin up, forcing her to look
into his eyes. His heart stopped mid-beat. In her eyes he saw shame, and he
fought down his anger at himself for causing her to feel that way. “This was
not your fault but entirely mine. I am older and more experienced. I took
advantage of you.”
    He pulled Amelia into his arms, breathing in the lavender scent of her
hair and burning the memory into his mind. “Please forgive me.”
    If only life was kind and good people were guaranteed happiness. But he
knew that wasn’t the case. Any woman with him would be touched by scandal, by
his unresolved past.
    “I wish you happiness in your life.” He kissed her temple and
reluctantly turned and walked away without looking back. Amelia was too good
for him, could never be his. He needed to remember that.
    ***
    For two days William paced around his study. Thinking about
Amelia…thinking about his future, something he seldom did anymore. Up until
this point in his life, he hadn’t believed he had a future beyond the walls of
his estate and the circle of people he knew and worked with. Meeting Amelia had
changed all that.
    But she was headed to London, for a Season of dancing and meeting
potential partners for life. Men that could offer her a wonderful life, a life
he could not possibly offer her––or could he? Even if there was a chance for
happiness, for a happy ending, did he have the courage to travel to London and
fight for her?
    Would he be able to turn a deaf ear to the rumors that would follow him
wherever he went?
    Could he subject Amelia to those rumors?
    William could watch her from afar once again. Unfortunately, deep down
inside, he knew that would never do. He craved her friendship. Needed her
friendship. And more.
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
    “William! My God, what are you…?”
    “May I come in?” William did not want to meet his cousin’s eyes and see
the shock, disbelief, and undoubtedly unease in them. And, could he blame his
cousin for that reaction?
    “Please, come in,” his cousin said with a welcoming smile.
    Surprised by the warmth, William followed his cousin, Stuart Spencer,
into the drawing room and waited to be invited to sit. Once they sat facing
each other, William’s mind played with the words he needed to say to explain
his uninvited visit. Although Bridgeton Manor actually belonged to William, he
had gladly leased the manor house to his cousin twelve years ago when Spencer
had wanted to get out from under his father’s control. Even though Spencer’s
father died several years back, Spencer had stayed in William’s house on Park
Street facing Grosvenor Square.
    Spencer’s mother and two younger sisters resided in Spencer House right
down the street. Grandmother Spencer, the dowager countess, lived with them as
well. How William had missed his grandmother the past twelve years. She had
backbone and had ruled his father and uncle, as well as the rest of the family,
with a loving, but iron will.
    William’s father was Spencer’s father’s older brother. Spencer stood
next in line to inherit the earldom if William died without producing an
heir—which was highly likely. Spencer’s father, born the younger son, still had
considerable wealth, which made Spencer wealthy. Spencer had many connections
with the ton which is what William needed and hence, why he had come
here.
    “Where is Devon, the doorman? It surprised me to have you answering
your own door,” William said with a knowing smirk. Spencer ran his household
rather informally. That is not to say the servants didn’t know their position.
They did. Even so, Spencer didn’t mind opening up his own door occasionally.
    “I sent him on an errand.” Spencer stood up, headed to the sideboard,
and picked up a crystal decanter filled to the brim with amber liquid. “Would
you care for a drink?”
    “Please.” William needed something to calm his nerves. Once he held the
proffered glass in his