Three Proposals and a Scandal: A Sons of Sin Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

said in a low voice, staring into her lap and wishing fruitlessly that she was a woman who aroused more than admiration in the males of her acquaintance. Wishing that she aroused a fraction of the passion that her former suitor shared with his duchess.
    Wishing was a waste of time. She didn’t love Desborough, but he was a good man. There were worse fates than marrying him. Even if right now, she couldn’t think of any. She swallowed and told herself that bursting into tears would be an unforgivable breach of good manners.
    “Because I admire and esteem you, Marianne, I would count myself blessed if you consent to be my wife.”
    She made herself look at him. For his age, he was an attractive man. A thoughtful face, alert brown eyes, brown hair with a hint of silver at the temples. A distinguished man. Wealthy Conscientious. If he pledged himself to her, she could rely on him.
    A faint smile lightened his austere features. “I believe at this point, it is usual for the lady to respond.”
    She swallowed in a vain attempt to shift the emotion jamming her throat and straightened a backbone already as stiff as a ruler. She’d have a fine, useful life as Lady Desborough. And he’d give her children. She dearly wanted children to love, children who wouldn’t care that she was an heiress or famous for her perfect behavior.
    “Marianne?”
    She’d been bred to marry a powerful man like Desborough. If her heart cried out for something more, she could learn to close her ears to its demands.
    One day.
    He must think her a lunatic for dithering. After all, this proposal was as inevitable as Christmas. “Thank you, my—Thomas. I’m flattered by your interest.”
    “More than just flattered, I hope, my dear.” As if to underline their new closeness, he took her hand. When she started, he cast her a quizzical glance. “Don’t say you’re surprised. Your father gave me to understand that our inclinations followed a similar path.”
    “Not surprised, but—”
    “We have so much in common.” He paused. “Not least that our first matrimonial choices turned out to be unwise.”
    Lady Sophie Fairbrother’s elopement had left him the butt of gossip. They did indeed share more than just her father’s regard. “I didn’t like all the talk.”
    “Neither did I.” He looked unexpectedly approachable. She remembered that she’d always liked Lord Desborough. She told herself that forty-five wasn’t old. After all, at twenty-five, she wasn’t exactly a blushing debutante herself.
    His hand tightened on hers. She didn’t mind his touch, but felt no particular thrill either. Perhaps that was a good thing. She’d never enjoyed emotional storms. Lord Desborough would be a solid, conformable, sensible spouse.
    That description shouldn’t make her want to howl in despair.
    When again she didn’t answer, he continued. “We’ve both been through the mill, Marianne. Now everything has turned out for the best. Lady Sophie wasn’t the wife for me and pardon me for saying so, but Camden Rothermere has proven himself unworthy of you.”
    “You don’t mention…affection,” she said slowly, although the idea of Desborough professing undying love made her stomach curdle.
    “I’m convinced affection will grow with time. I hope you already consider me a friend.”
    She nodded, even as her heart sank. “You’ve always been very kind.”
    “Kindness and friendship form an excellent basis for marriage. We’re both past the age of romantic nonsense, thank heaven.”
    I want romantic nonsense. I want someone to love me.
    Of course she didn’t say the pitiable words aloud.
    She’d immediately discounted Elias’s declaration. He loved her money. In her life, she’d seriously considered marrying two men. Camden Rothermere, Duke of Sedgemoor, and Thomas Wilkie, Earl Desborough. Neither had pretended to love her.
    The strength of her longing to be more, to be
enough,
would have astonished anyone who knew her. Sorrow clogged her