To Tempt A Rogue Read Online Free PDF Page A

reluctantly.
    The viscount nodded with approval. “Then off with you. Quickly, before I change my mind.”
    Harriet smiled briefly at the satisfactory result. Though she did wonder if Faith would eventually begin to favor her natural child, she did not question that her sister-in-law loved her base-born stepson and she was pleased that Faith was making an effort to spend time with the boy.
    Harriet reached for her nephew, but before she could lean forward and kiss his brow, Georgie gave a shout of triumph and raced from the room. She expected her sister to follow the child, but instead Elizabeth began searching the library’s bookshelves.
    â€œCan you help me locate a book, Harriet?” Elizabeth asked. “Faith is feeling tired, but she thought a quiet activity of reading to Georgie for the afternoon would not be too taxing. She feels she needs to spend more time with him.”
    Harriet nodded her head approvingly. Perhaps she had underestimated her sister-in-law’s understanding of Georgie’s difficulties. Lord knows, it would hardly be the first time Faith had surprised them all.
    Feeling more at ease with the situation, Harriet ran her fingers gently over the numerous leather bound books. The estate had suffered from neglect for many years, due to their father’s selfish lack of interest, but Griffin had worked hard to reverse the wrongs of the past when he became viscount.
    Thanks to his efforts, this beautiful room was once again a luxuriously appointed library, filled with fascinating volumes, comfortable furnishings, and several strategically placed lamps to make reading easy on the eyes.
    â€œThis is one of Georgie’s favorites.” Harriet lifted a thick book from a lower shelf. “ ’Tis filled with a rather gruesome collection of fairy tales where the evil witches, goblins, and spirits meet a most untimely end.”
    Elizabeth blanched, but moved forward gamely.
    â€œFaith doesn’t like those stories,” Griffin interjected, taking the book from Harriet’s hand.
    â€œThat’s of no consequence,” Elizabeth declared, surprising them all as she reached for the volume. “Faith specifically told me to select a book that would hold Georgie’s attention. She wants to make him happy.”
    â€œThose stories will give him nightmares,” the viscount muttered.
    â€œThey will?” Elizabeth turned to her sister, an anxious expression on her lovely face.
    Harriet’s heart softened. Dear, sweet Elizabeth was such an innocent, uncomplicated young woman. The ordeal in London had left her even more vulnerable, more sensitive to the feelings of others. How ironic that the edginess in these stories which would eagerly capture the imagination of a five-year-old boy would no doubt frighten an almost nineteen-year-old young woman.
    â€œGeorgie has been savoring these tales for several months,” Harriet said confidently. “He is constantly begging me to read them to him. I think he will be quite pleased if Faith shares a few of them with him today. Especially since he has had such a trying morning.”
    Elizabeth’s face contorted into a worried frown. “Maybe it would be best if I deliver two volumes,” she said meekly. “Then Faith can decide for herself which story is more appropriate.”
    â€œAn admirable idea,” Griffin said. “I shall assist you in making a second selection.”
    Harriet struggled to conceal her sigh. There were times when Elizabeth’s unwillingness to face any potential conflict worried her. It was not as if her sister were easily swayed in matters, instead she seemed to lack the confidence to make any decision or take any position where she might need to defend her choice.
    Harriet firmly believed it was dangerous to go through life with such an outlook. Especially if you were a woman. Yet she had been unable to impart this insight to her younger sister.
    Of course, their