To Seduce a Bride Read Free Page A

of melancholy. But it was supposed to be
private.
” When he didn’t respond, Lily added pointedly, “That is a veiled hint for you to leave, my lord.”
    Instead of retreating down the loft ladder, he smiled and leaned back, casually resting his weight on his palms and crossing his long, satin-clad legs in front of him, as if settling in for a long stay.
    Lily exhaled in a huff. “I don’t think you comprehend the danger you are in, Lord Claybourne. It is a grave mistake for you to be alone with me. If Winifred knew, she would be ecstatic.”
    â€œWinifred?”
    â€œLady Freemantle. She is the main reason I left the ball early—to escape her scheming. She is trying to mash…match me with you. You must have noticed.”
    Her allegation didn’t seem to alarm him as it should. “Perhaps, but her machinations are no worse than usual. I’m well-accustomed to eager mamas throwing their daughters at my head.”
    Lily grimaced in disgruntlement. “Perhaps
you
can dismiss her plotting, but I cannot. It is mortifying in the extreme. I am not a prize heifer, to be exhibited before an eligible gentleman and judged for my defects and qualifications.”
    His eyes were dancing again. “I should think not.”
    At his blithe reply, exasperation welled up in Lily full force. “Do you not
understand
? Winifred wants me to set my cap at you.”
    â€œBut you don’t intend to.”
    â€œCertainly not! I have no interest in marriage.”
    â€œThat is quite a unique perspective for a young lady. Most women have made it their mission in life to find a husband.”
    â€œTrue. But you needn’t worry about me hounding you, Lord Claybourne. Oh, I know you are a prime catch. You are disgustingly rich, you have a vaunted title, you aren’t so shabby in appearance, and you are said to be irresistibly charming.”
    â€œBut you aren’t swayed by this delightful catalog of my attributes.”
    â€œNot in the least.” Lily smiled faintly to soften the harshness of her observation. “No doubt you have a bevy of lovestruck admirers, but I will never join their ranks. And I have no intention of behaving like all the other flagrant husband-hunters you know. I won’t chase after you.”
    â€œYou relieve my mind, Miss Loring. I don’t enjoy being chased.” From the provocative laughter in his voice, he seemed to be enjoying himself far too much. “But I am quite curious to know why you have such a profound distaste for marriage.”
    Lily drew a deep breath. Hoyden or not, she normally would never dream of discussing her personal affairs with a perfect stranger. But in this case, she was eager to be rid of him, so a liberal dose of frankness might stand her in good stead.
    â€œIn my experience marriage usually leads to unhappiness for a woman,” she said honestly.
    â€œYou speak from personal experience?”
    Lily made a face. “Unfortunately, yes. My parents’ union was hostile enough to give me an aversion to matrimony for life.”
    The gleaming light in Claybourne’s eyes faded as he studied her. His searching perusal was more unsettling than his amusement, however.
    â€œI don’t need a husband,” she hurried to add, “despite what proper society decrees for young ladies. I am financially independent now, thanks to the generous settlement Marcus made me. So I can have a fulfilling life without having to marry.”
    â€œYet you implied you wanted more freedom.”
    She smiled uncertainly. “True.” Her dream had always been to escape to a life of freedom and adventure. “I mean to use the funds to travel the world and explore new and exciting places.”
    â€œAlone?”
    â€œLady Hester Stanhope did it,” Lily pointed out, mentioning the adventurous earl’s daughter and niece of William Pitt the Younger who had sailed to the Middle East and