To Tempt A Rogue Read Online Free PDF

brother further complicated the problem by encouraging this helpless, indecisive attitude in Elizabeth. Which was odd, since his wife was hardly one to contain her opinion, especially when it differed from her husband’s. After dealing with a strong-willed wife and an equally determined sister, Harriet supposed the viscount felt relieved to have at least one woman under his roof who epitomized a weak feminine spirit.
    â€œOh, and I forgot to mention at dinner last evening,” the viscount said as he scanned a row of books. “Faith received a letter from Meredith yesterday. If the weather holds, the marchioness and her husband will be coming for a visit early next week.”
    Harriet raised a disapproving brow. “ ’Tis rather soon to be having visitors, is it not? Emma Kate is only a few weeks old and by her own admission Faith is hardly recovered from childbirth.”
    â€œMeredith is family,” Griffin replied. “And even though they are in truth only cousins, she is like a sister to Faith.”
    â€œWell, sister or not, Faith is in no condition to entertain noble guests,” Harriet insisted.
    â€œWhich is precisely why I will require your assistance.” The viscount turned and faced his younger sister. “And yours, too, Elizabeth.”
    She blushed prettily. “I will be pleased to offer any help that I can. I like Lady Meredith very much and find the marquess to be a pleasant gentleman.”
    A pang of guilt sliced through Harriet. Elizabeth’s gracious offer of assistance made Harriet’s objections seem even more petty. Yet she could not help but feel a sense of distress over the thought of seeing the incredibly beautiful Lady Meredith again.
    The animosity that existed between the two women was of long standing and though it had softened considerably, due to the fantastic events of the past Season, Harriet had not been able to completely exorcise her negative feelings for the marchioness. Even more irksome was the knowledge that Meredith did not hold a similar grudge.
    â€œI suppose they will be bringing a horde of servants with them,” Harriet grumbled. “The Marquess of Dardington is fabulously wealthy as well as the heir to a dukedom. He is used to the very best of everything.”
    â€œThough I have never met the man, I am sure our hospitality will not disappoint Lady Meredith’s husband,” Griffin said. “They are coming to Hawthorne Castle to visit Faith and meet Emma Kate, not for lively entertainment. ’Tis a sad state of affairs indeed if we cannot make welcome three noble guests.”
    â€œThree?” Harriet questioned.
    â€œYes.” The viscount rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
    â€œDid I neglect to mention that Lady Meredith’s brother will be joining them?”
    The dull sound of a heavy book hitting the floor echoed through the room. “Which brother?” Elizabeth whispered in alarm.
    â€œThere is more than one?” Griffin asked. He bent and picked up the book Elizabeth had dropped.
    â€œLady Meredith has two younger brothers,” Harriet answered. “They are twins, identical in appearance, though not in nature. Yet it is hardly difficult to ascertain which one will accompany his sister to Hawthorne Castle.”
    Griffin’s gaze lifted in surprise. “Why is that?” “ ’Twas more than obvious to everyone this Season that Mr. Jason Barrington was quite smitten with our dear Elizabeth. I imagine he will be arriving with hot-house roses and boxes of sweet confections as well as original sonnets he has composed glorifying Elizabeth’s beauty.”
    Harriet smiled teasingly at her younger sister, but Elizabeth did not answer in kind. In fact, she looked slightly ill at the notion of once again seeing her admirer.
    â€œI have never done anything to encourage his attention.” Elizabeth took a step back and pressed herself against a large bookcase.