The Seduction of an Earl Read Online Free PDF

someone he had only just met. “She must certainly have returned the favor,” he commented, cocking his head to one side.
    At this, the light in Lord Devonville’s eyes dimmed. His head lowered a notch. “She used to. She died a couple of years ago.”
    Stunned at the comment, Henry struggled for the correct words to say. Why hadn’t Charlotte warned him that Lady Devonville had died? “I am so sorry for your loss, my lord,” he said in a solemn voice. “It must have been very hard for you. And for your children.”
    At the mention of children, the marquess lifted his head again. “William is the oldest. He has his own naval command, but Hannah ... she isn’t yet settled. She’s had a harder time of it. Spent a year of what would have been her first Season in mourning for her mother and the second Season in mourning when my sister died,” he explained with a shrug, waving a hand to indicate Henry should take a seat. Henry did so when the marquess settled himself into an overstuffed chair near the fireplace.
    Henry realized then that the woman he had seen with the dog the night before had to be Lady Hannah. “She had six suitors this past Season,” Devonville continued, a hint of pride in his voice. He took another sip of his scotch. “And not a one of them were worthy of my only daughter,” he added before regarding Henry with a critical eye.
    Although not surprised that Lady Hannah would attract so many suitors her first Season out, the earl had to struggle to hide his initial shock. So, I’m not the only one to find her beautiful , he thought, a sense of sadness settling over him. “It is Lady Charlotte’s opinion that your daughter would be a suitable match for me,” he said as a way to introduce his reason for calling on the marquess. “I know we have only just met, but do you suppose you might find me worthy enough for your daughter?” Henry wondered, holding his head up and meeting the marquess’ direct gaze without flinching. Better to discover how he fared with the father before even trying to convince the daughter of his suitability as a husband.
    William Slater regarded him for several seconds before turning his attention to the fireplace. He drained his glass, setting the empty tumbler on the table next to this chair. “Did you ever meet your first betrothed?” he wondered in a quiet voice.
    Henry had to stifle a gasp. How did the marquess know about that? “I met Lady Jennifer when she was quite young. I ... We did not renew our acquaintance prior to her death,” he stammered. “She was ... quite young,” he repeated, not sure what else to say about his first betrothal.
    “Is it true you have a bastard son?” Devonville asked, his visage suddenly so stern, Henry thought perhaps the marquess had already decided he wasn’t good enough for his only daughter.
    “I do, my lord,” Henry answered with a nod, not allowing his surprise to show. How did the marquess know of his son ? “I have raised him as such since his birth.”
    Nodding, Devonville leaned forward. “And what of his education?”
    Henry wondered at the man’s curiosity. “He had a governess until early last year, he has had a tutor ever since. He will go to Abingdon this fall and Eton when he is thirteen. I ... hope he will wish to attend a university after that, but it will be up to him to decide which one and for what discipline.”
    Devonville’s bushy eyebrows hiked up on the man’s forehead, as if he was surprised by Gisborn’s answer. “And what of the mother?”
    Bristling at the question but deciding it was better to offer the truth, Henry sighed. “I have wanted to marry his mother since we were quite young, but she has refused all my offers.”
    Devonville seemed taken aback by his response. “Whatever reason could a woman devise to turn down an earl’s offer of marriage?” he wondered, his bushy eyebrows now furrowed in disbelief. “Is she ... frequently beset by the vapours?”
    At that moment,