The Seduction of an Earl Read Online Free PDF Page A

a sense of dread settling into his stomach. Would the bad weather continue into the summer? The growing season? The spring was already proving to be cooler and rainier than usual. Although the Gisborn earldom was fairly flush economically, he could not afford to have a bad growing season. There were tenants who depended on the crops, several nearby villages that existed because of the farming done on Gisborn lands.
    Devonville pointed a finger at him. “You catch on quick, my son,” he said in a manner that suggested he was pleased with Henry’s deduction. “Aldenwood is convinced that Northern Europe and all of Great Britain will have a terrible growing season. So, anything you can do now to ensure a better yield on your crops will be beneficial. May keep your tenants from starving this winter.” The marquess drained his remaining scotch in a single gulp.
    Following suit with his own scotch, Henry stared into his empty glass before regarding the marquess. “I appreciate your telling me this. I may have the right idea about draining the fields of excess water. But now I may have to rethink what crops to plant.” What choice did he really have? Wheat, barley and beans were the only crops grown in his part of Oxfordshire. Although his words were meant to appease the marquess, on further reflection, an uneasy feeling was building in his gut; how much credence should he give the information? Devonville seemed pretty convinced of Aldenwood’s conclusions, though. Even if Aldenwood’s prediction didn’t come true, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared in any case.
    “And while you’re doing that, tell me, Gisborn. About your meeting with Ellsworth, I mean,” Devonville said as he moved to the sideboard and refilled his glass. He motioned for Henry to bring his glass so he could pour more scotch  into it.
    Henry held out his glass. “I was there to speak with him about property. Ellsworth Park is adjacent to the Gisborn lands.” He didn’t mention the discussion concerning his marrying Lady Charlotte as part of the deal.
    “Are you ... planning to marry the chit?” Devonville asked then, his gaze so direct that Henry was forced to look away.
    He sighed quietly. The marquess certainly didn’t mince words. “Joshua Wainwright, the new Duke of Chichester, will have that honor, my lord. Probably in a day or two, in fact,” Henry added, trying not to allow his disappointment to show. Charlotte had seemed the perfect woman to be his countess. She would make Wainwright the perfect duchess.
    Devonville let out a grunt. “Can’t say I blame Lady Charlotte. I think she is quite in love with the younger Wainwright. The older brother ..,” he paused for a moment and shook his head quickly. “Not so much. Most wouldn’t say so out loud, but I think the world is better off without his despicable character staining the reputation of the Wainwrights.”
    Henry forced his face to remain impassive. So the marquess was not a fan of the Earl of Grinstead – the man who would have been the Duke of Chichester – had be not died in the fire . “Indeed,” Henry answered with a nod. “Lord Ellsworth was quite insistent that I marry Lady Charlotte, even gave me a generous dowry before the fact. And I would have honored his arrangement had she ... wanted to marry me,” he stated carefully. Good God, I am here to inquire about Lady Hannah’s availability for marriage. I shouldn’t be commenting on my first choice in a wife!
    “A marriage of convenience is not always the best approach, lad,” the marquess said in a soft voice, his eyes suddenly somber. “I miss my wife. Terribly. Didn’t realize what a catch she was until after she’d borne me a fine heir, and a beautiful daughter, and put up with my philandering ways for a good decade. I must have had five mistresses before I came to my senses and realized I was in love with my own wife!”
    Henry stared at the older man, stunned that he would admit such personal details to