The Seducer Read Online Free PDF Page A

Daniel St. John unsettled her.
    Jeanette slid a long silk shawl off her lap. “Daniel, call for Paul. Our guest looks very tired. I will take her to her chamber so that she can rest and refresh herself.”
    Paul turned out to be a thick, tall pillar of a man. The elegance of his blue servant’s livery could not hide his earthy solidity. The neat grooming of his reddish hair did not soften his craggy features.
    Carefully, with a gentleness that looked peculiar for his bulk, he slid his arms under Jeanette and rose, holding her like a baby.
    “To the Chinese bedchamber, Paul. Diane, will you come with us, please.”
    They mounted another flight of stairs, not so grand, but impressive still. A bank of tall windows on the top landing overlooked a garden. They stopped at a heavy, large door that Paul easily opened despite his burden.
    The chamber smelled of cedar. Decorated all in blue and white, it reminded Diane of the porcelain urns displayed in the better shops’ windows in Rouen. It contained many similar pieces, only these looked much nicer. She knew without being told that they were very precious and that if she broke one she would want to die.
    Paul settled Jeanette on a chair by the hearth and bent to build up the fire. Then he retreated, taking up a position outside the open door.
    “As you can see, I am lame,” Jeanette said. “I suffered an injury some years ago. Thanks to Paul’s strength, however, I need not be an infirm recluse. Everyone is accustomed to seeing him carry me and it will cause you no embarrassment.”
    “It will be my presence that will cause eyebrows to raise. Your brother said that I am to claim I am your cousin. Your friends will be shocked to learn that you have such poor, ill-mannered relations.”
    Jeanette beckoned her forward and gave her a more thorough inspection than she had down below. “Not so ill-mannered. That school taught you the basics, and you will quickly learn the rest. Your appearance, however . . . I will send my maid to do something with that hair before the evening meal. We will begin on the rest tomorrow.”
    “There is no need. Please. I will remain in this house until it is time to sail to England.”
    “My brother has affairs to attend to here. Although this is one of his homes, he makes his life in England and his visits here are always very full. If you are hovering in the shadows, he will be displeased by the reminder that he inconveniences you.” Her smile suggested that giving Daniel St. John displeasure was not the path of wisdom.
    A servant arrived with the valise.
    “I will leave you to rest. My woman will come later, to help you unpack and dress. Again, I extend my welcome to you. I am glad that you have come to us.”
    Paul carried her away. The door closed. Diane sat in the chair that Jeanette had just vacated and inched it closer to the hearth. The abundant warmth flowing from the fire felt delicious.
    She stared at the flames. She dared not look anywhere else. The chamber was too much. The porcelain urns waited to be broken. The front of this house had not overwhelmed her, but its interior certainly did.
    Several weeks, Daniel had said. Maybe longer, Jeanette had implied. Then a life of tedium.
    She was not sure that briefly tasting this luxury would be a good idea. Dwelling amidst such wealth could make what had come before, and what would come after, a source of discontentment.
    He will seduce you with luxuries and kindness, and then . . .
    Ridiculous. A man like this had no need of such as her. Nor would the next few weeks be the product of his kindness. It simply was not convenient for him to travel to England right now.
    The fire’s heat worked its way down to her bones, killing the chill that she had known most of her life. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation. The warmth surrounded her like arms, comforting her.
    A memory came to her suddenly, of another long carriage ride, split by a journey on a boat. Of fear and loneliness