The Seduction of Sara Read Online Free PDF

side of the room appears to be lacking eligible males.”
    â€œMaybe we would fare better on the other side.” Sara took Anna’s arm, and they sauntered across the Jeffries ballroom, eyeing every man they passed. It was a depressing exercise in futility. Bath was populated with an astounding number of stodgy, respectable men—men who would want their wives to sit at home and sew samplers and bear a horrendous number of children. Sara could read it in their eyes.
    It was yet another dastardly aspect of Marcus’s plan: since the season had started, all the eligible men would be safely ensconced in London, waiting for the new batch of heiresses.
    Anna blew out a disgusted sigh. “I don’t see a one that will do. They are all either too timid or too conventional. I thought about Captain Rothschilde, but he’s fifty years old if he’s a day, and I don’t think he’d be at all lenient with a young wife.”
    â€œThe man I need could be a hundred years old for all the difference it makes.” Time was marching on, and she just knew that Marcus was already holding interviews with potential candidates for her hand.
    She narrowed her gaze on a young man whohovered nearby, as if gathering his nerve to ask one of them to dance. He froze when he caught her gaze. The more she stared, the redder he became until, finally, he turned and almost ran from the room, his head tucked as if afraid she would follow.
    Sara made a sound of disgust. “Are there no real men here tonight?”
    â€œIt doesn’t appear so,” Anna said with genuine regret. “I’ve been wracking my brain and I can think of only two men who might suit your purpose, though neither are perfect.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œMr. Stapweed or the Earl of Bridgeton. Unfortunately, Stapweed has an annoying tendency to spit when he speaks.”
    Ugh. “What about Bridgeton?”
    â€œThe earl is, as Grandfather would say, morally corrupt.” Anna made a face. “Grandpapa has taken to reading Methodist literature.”
    â€œTell me more about this earl. Who is he?”
    â€œHe recently moved into Hibberton Hall, Parkington’s old place. Lady Chultney told Grandpapa that the earl is the most depraved man on Earth.”
    â€œLady Chultney also thought Lord Collinsworth killed his wife, when she was only visiting relatives in the north.”
    â€œThat is quite true, the poor dear. However, Grandpapa told me the same thing about the earl. He is familiar with the family, you know. And Lord Peebleton refused to recognize the earl when they met in the park last week—gave him the cold shoulder as soon as he saw him.”
    Well, that was interesting, indeed. Lord Peebleton was not known to be a stickler. “Whatever has the earl done?”
    â€œNo one will say…” Anna glanced around as if afraid someone would overhear. Then she opened her fan and whispered behind it, “But Lady Chultney believes he once abducted a woman for unsavory purposes.”
    â€œSounds like a Banbury story to me.”
    â€œI think he must be excessively romantic to go to such lengths to secure a woman’s affections.” Anna smiled, a wistful look in her eyes. “Just imagine! A man who would defy the law in your name and whisk you away to his palace—”
    â€œThe earl has a palace?”
    â€œWell, no. He has been renovating Hibberton Hall for the past month, which is why he hasn’t been in town much. But I’ve heard it said that he is as handsome as an angel—a fallen angel.” Anna lowered her voice. “At one time, just being seen talking to him could ruin a woman forever.”
    â€œAnd now?”
    â€œHe inherited a title,” Anna said matter-of-factly. “Not to mention that he just returned to England with a tremendous fortune.”
    â€œWhich immediately cancels all crimes he has committed, short of murder.”
    â€œExactly.