An Invitation to Seduction Read Free

Farthingham are indeed true, however, I suspect he is more interested in what the lady can bring to the family coffers than the number of evening gowns in her wardrobe. And we may be grateful our family is not in a position that would force Richard to marry an American in order to secure our future.”
    “Oh, I do hope you’re wrong on that point and that money is not the reason he’s marrying her,” Anne lamented. “I believe one should marry for love and love alone.”
    “That’s because you’re young,” Richard said.
    “And you’re cynical.”
    “I’m pragmatic.”
    “Do you suppose Mother’s right? Do you think it’s her money that has drawn him to her?”
    “Probably,” he said quietly.
    She pinched off a bit of muffin and popped it into her mouth. “A shame that. I’ve always liked Farthingham. For a while I thought he might even have an interest in me.”
    “I thought you wanted to marry for love,” Richard reminded her.
    “I do. But I think I could have fallen in love with him.” She laughed lightly. “He’s such fun. You didn’t have a quarrel, did you? He hardly comes around anymore.”
    “Of course, we didn’t quarrel. If Lady Priscilla’s rumors are true, then I suspect he has been busy hunting for a suitable heiress. Courtship is a rather troublesome and time-consuming affair.”
    “As if you would know. Honestly, Richard, the mamas only express an interest in me because they think I’ll bring you along. You could have your pick of any woman in London.”
    “I was telling him much the same thing earlier, my dear, before you came down for breakfast,” his mother said.
    “Am I to assume you two will plot against me this Season?” he asked.
    “We could have a double wedding,” Anne said. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”
    “I think you should have a day devoted exclusively to you.”
    She sipped her tea before looking askance at him. “Were you serious? May I have a new gown?”
    He laughed. “Of course, you may have a new gown. Order a hundred if it will make you happy.”
    “But not two hundred?”
    “We wouldn’t want anyone to confuse you with an American, now would we?”
    “That’ll never happen. I haven’t their poise.”
    “You’re extremely graceful. Lovely. Enchanting. Any peer in England would be fortunate to catch your fancy.”
    “I’d rather you say any man in England.”
    “Any man then. What’s the difference?”
    “Not all men are peers.”
    Ah, an undercurrent. The little brat might indeed understand how they worked, because he was certainly aware of one threatening to work itself into an undertow. “Any man you marry will be a peer,” he stated succinctly.
    “Why?”
    “Because your father was a duke, your mother is a duchess, and by God, you are worthy of a man with a title. To consider a common man is absurd.”
    “But what if I cannot love a man with a title?”
    “You will learn to love him.”
    She released a shriek that damn near pierced his eardrums. “Oh! You are so archaic. You cannot force love; you cannot make it happen. It simply comes upon you, enfolds you in its warmth.”
    She had tears brimming in her eyes.
    “Don’t be distressed, Anne. I won’t force you to marry a man you care nothing for.”
    “But neither will you allow me to marry a man I love if he is not titled.”
    He shook his head in frustration. “This is ludicrous. Why do you argue for marrying a commoner when not more than ten minutes ago you were lamenting your inadequate selection of gowns?” He held up a hand. “Two hundred gowns.” He held up the other hand. “Commoner.” He made a great show of trying to press his palms together and never letting them get within an inch of each other. “Conflicting desires. You cannot have both.”
    “There is no guarantee I’ll acquire the gowns by marrying a peer. What if he is an impoverished lord like Farthingham?”
    “Then I shall make a settlement on you for a yearly sum that will ensure you have the