The Seduction of Sara Read Online Free PDF Page A

foolish allowed the conversation to drift from such safe topics as the weather or horse racing.
    Miss Anna Thraxton, however, was a very pleasant companion. Tall and auburn-haired, with gray eyes, a serene smile, and an unfortunately autocratic nose, it was a shame that financial circumstances rendered her ineligible as a potential wife for one of Delphi’s handsome nephews. A woman of such Junoesque proportions would surely complement the family line.
    Be that as it may, within a very few moments of sitting with Anna and Sara, Delphi became awarethat there was a private conversation going on beneath the innocuous small talk. Sara’s eyes positively glowed with excitement, and Anna more than once made a mysterious reference that sent Sara into a paroxysm of choked laughter.
    Delphi’s heart sank. There was no denying it; Sara was up to something. And whatever it was, Delphi was certain she had no ability to stop it. Yet as nervous as the thought made her, Delphi had to admit to some secret excitement at being in Bath.
    She was tired of the sameness of her life. Perhaps it was the approach of her forty-third birthday that was so oversetting. That was the age at which her own mother had died, and Delphi didn’t want to be like her mother, who had given her whole life to her children and husband and then just faded away.
    No, Delphi wanted something…else. A surge of excitement was quickly followed by guilt. Who was she to decry her circumstances? She possessed more than her fair share of good fortune. She had a warm and loving family, more money than she could possibly spend, several properties—it was a shame that she was so ungrateful. Unaccountably depressed, she left Sara and Anna alone to gossip about their school friends.
    Sara was pleased to discover that Anna was just as she remembered—quick-witted and pragmatic, with a flair for scheming that was unrivaled.
    â€œThe nerve of your brothers,” Anna exclaimed upon being told the circumstances leading to Sara’s arrival in Bath. “And now they expect you to sit idlyby while they find a husband for you? That is positively medieval!”
    â€œYes. Julius is dead and Marcus will not rest until he has buried me, as well. Which is why I have made a decision.” Sara picked up a tasseled pillow from the settee and plumped it mercilessly. “I plan to find my own husband. Someone who is malleable, who understands a civilized union and will not dictate to me. I want my freedom.”
    â€œHmm.” Anna looked at her thoughtfully, then said, “We will also need to find a man with a fortune. It can be done; ‘malleable’ and ‘wealthy’ are not always disparate traits.”
    Sara nodded. “I lose my jointure the day I marry.”
    â€œYou’d want a handsome man, too,” Anna mused. “One young enough to understand your need for enjoyment.”
    â€œIf possible—although I may have to compromise on such things.” She refused to think of how much she might have to compromise. Still, armed with their set of criteria, she and Anna began to make a list of prospects.
    Two weeks later, after a flurry of visits, Sara began to realize how difficult her search really was. She stood with Anna at the Jeffries ball watching the meager company fill the grand parlor. In London, a gathering this miniscule would only have declared itself a “soiree.” But here in Bath, with over forty couples present and two dozen single persons, the Jeffries “ball” was already being touted a glittering success.
    â€œWhat about that one?” Anna whispered.
    Sara turned to where Anna pointed. A young man stood by the wide white doors that led into the ballroom. Thin, with a wisp of yellow hair drooping over his shiny forehead, he reminded Sara of a wilted sprig of thyme. She hunched a shoulder. “He looks delicate. I don’t want a sickly husband.”
    Anna looked around. “This