Tis the Season to Be Sinful Read Online Free PDF Page B

Besides, in the end it was Mrs. Wentworth who would profit.
    “My sincerest apologizes, sir,” Barclay said as he slunk to Richard’s side. Pale-cheeked and red-eyed, the secretary pulled a fresh sheet of parchment from his leather-bound folder. “What specific clauses do you wish included in the bill of sale?”
    Richard sniffed. Barclay might be a young pup lacking any sophistication, but he knew well his employer’s methods. “I have already spoken with Mr. Fowler about several of them, but there are a few more.”
    Richard rattled off the items, noting that Mrs. Wentworth was likewise consulting with Mr. Fowler, though neither of them was making any notes.
    As she conversed with the land agent, Richard took another long look at his new neighbor and realized his first impression that she was attractive fell far short of the truth. There was not one specific feature that could be deemed exceptional, well, except her fair, creamy complexion. Add to that a wide mouth with full luscious lips a shade of coral pink, high cheekbones, a pert nose, and an exotic tilt of dark, expressive eyes, and the result was captivating.
    Oh, yes, she was undeniably appealing.
    She looked over at him, and the sparkle in the depths of her deep brown eyes immediately caught his attention. His pulse did an odd jump.
    What in the blazes was wrong with him? Was it the thrill of successfully purchasing the estate? Besting a business rival was an event that never failed to give him a rush of euphoria. Or was it something else?
    Richard continued to gaze into her eyes, oddly reluctant to turn away. Desire, he decided. An understandable reaction really of a normal, healthy male celibate for far too long. Since moving to England he had worked long hours in an almost exclusively male environment, having almost no social contact with women.
    Though he rarely gave a second thought about buying anything he desired, the notion of paying a woman for sexual favors was inherently repugnant to Richard. That left wooing a female into an affair, a near impossibility given his lack of female social interaction.
    Richard grimaced. The desire now pooling heavy in his groin made him wonder if it was past time to rethink the idea of an affair. With Mrs. Wentworth?
    Richard shifted uncomfortably. He knew women of all classes indulged in the joys of the flesh, but placing Mrs. Wentworth among them seemed wrong. He knew instinctively she was not the sort of woman who obliged a man that way, not the kind with which one dallied. Oh, no, marriage was required to get her into his bed.
    Blast and damn! Marry her? From where had that idiotic thought sprung? The lust pounding in his cock, no doubt. And her comical reference to a union between them in order for him to secure the use of the estate. An idea his body had apparently taken far more seriously than his brain.
    Because it isn’t such a bad notion?
    “I must take my leave of you, Mr. Harper, and return to my office to draw up all the necessary papers.” Mr. Fowler consulted his pocket watch, and then frowned. “The last train to London leaves in an hour. I’m afraid the documents won’t be ready in time for you to take them today.”
    “No matter,” Richard replied. “I’ll stay the night. I assume there is an inn in the village where I can rent rooms for myself and Barclay?”
    Richard heard his secretary’s sharp intake of breath. No wonder. When Barclay had timidly suggested earlier in the week that it might be wise to plan this journey as an overnight trip, Richard had adamantly refused, citing it as a waste of time.
    “We have two inns in the village, as a matter of fact,” Mr. Fowler responded. “Both are clean, wellrun establishments, though I warn you they are not as fancy as those in London.”
    “Either sound appropriate for our needs,” Richard replied, wondering how the agent would react if he knew the appalling housing conditions Richard had endured before securing his fortune.
    “I