To Tempt an Irish Rogue Read Free Page A

Paulette protested. “I’m not interested in getting married.”
    “Oh, you always say that, Paulette, and I don’t believe you one single bit.” Yvette tossed her head emphatically. “Every girl wants to get married.”
    “Well, you’re quite mistaken on that account.” Paulette was in no rush to have some man telling her what to do night and day. She was quite happy with her life the way it was, thank you very much. Paulette loved living with her sister and her husband at Devon House and working at the bookshop. Colette and Lucien were much more permissive than her own parents ever would have been and they allowed her the freedom to manage the shop and to be her own person.
    Ever since Colette had married Lucien Sinclair, their lives had changed for the better and Lucien’s generosity had allowed them to keep the bookshop. Even though their widowed mother, Genevieve Hamilton, had decided to leave London and live in Brighton, Lucien Sinclair had invited all Colette’s sisters to live at Devon House. Her older sisters Juliette and Lisette were both married now, leaving only Paulette and Yvette still living with Lucien and Colette.
    Last year Simon Sinclair, Lucien’s father, died, making Lucien the Marquis of Stancliff, and Colette the Marchioness of Stancliff. Given their titled positions the two of them always had many social obligations, but Colette still managed to raise her two sons and take care of things at the bookshop with Paulette.
    More than content with the way her life was currently arranged, Paulette had no interest in rushing into a marriage with just anyone. She had already made up her mind that she would wed only if she could find someone just like Lucien Sinclair. In her eyes he was a perfect husband to Colette. Yet Paulette harbored a secret doubt she would ever find a man who would let her do exactly as she liked.
    “So, no,” she continued with certainty, “I’ve no wish to marry.”
    Yvette looked horrified and turned to her eldest sister for support. “Colette, you cannot allow Paulette to spend the rest of her life alone in the bookshop!”
    Colette, her blue eyes filled with kindness, gave Yvette a look of understanding, but did not agree with her. “Paulette can do as she wishes. Just as you can.”
    Vindicated, Paulette smiled in smug triumph at her younger sister. Honestly! She had more important things to do than worry about finding a husband. She was about to open a new shop, for heaven’s sake! The business of marriage required more time than she was willing to take away from the importance of managing the bookshop. And Colette understood her on this matter better than her other sisters did.
    Yvette could just keep her romantic dreams and aspirations for a lofty marriage. Paulette would marry some day, perhaps, if she met someone special enough, but she certainly wasn’t on the hunt for a husband like so many girls her age were. Luckily there was no pressure for her to marry right away. Colette and Lucien were in agreement with her, so Paulette was free to do as she liked, knowing full well that she was fortunate indeed. Most girls were not so blessed.
    Yvette let out an anguished little squeal, blinking back tears. “But if Paulette doesn’t marry, then I cannot!”
    All eyes turned to her in surprise and, once again, Lucien laughed. “Where on earth did you get that idea?”
    Yvette’s expression filled with worry. “I can’t marry before my older sister does, Lucien. It isn’t right! And if Paulette doesn’t ever marry, then what’s to become of me?”
    Paulette really tried her best to contain her laughter but failed. The giggles just escaped. Yvette’s worry seemed quite ridiculous to her.
    Lucien and Colette both began speaking at the same time. “Yvette, you don’t have to wait for Paulette to marry first!”
    “I don’t?” Yvette blinked in surprise. “I thought it was common knowledge that sisters had to get married in order of their age.”
    “Maybe