To Tempt an Irish Rogue Read Free Page B

that is true in some households, but I can assure you, Yvette, you can marry, or not, whenever you wish to, regardless of what our little Paulette here decides to do,” Lucien explained. An unspoken look of understanding passed between him and his wife.
    “Thank you for taking that pressure off me, Lucien,” Paulette said, grateful beyond measure that Colette had married such a reasonable man. Lucien had always understood her motives and actions and Paulette loved that about him. The last thing she needed was Yvette breathing down her neck to hurry up and wed some fool, just so she could plan her own grand wedding. “Besides,” Paulette pointed out with her calm reasoning, “there’s no one that you want to marry at the moment, is there?”
    “Well, no . . .” Yvette stammered helplessly. “But it’s the principle of it all.” She released a weary sigh. “However, if Paulette is not worried about being a spinster—”
    “Who said anything about me being a spinster?” Paulette cried in indignation. Honestly! Maybe she would marry someday. At some point. If she met someone truly special. Paulette was not averse to marriage. Hadn’t she seen her three older sisters marry quite happily? It was for that very reason that she would not be rushed into anything.
    “Well, you don’t want to have a Season and you don’t go to parties or have gentleman callers. You don’t seem interested in the least in finding a husband,” Yvette pointed out. “It just stands to reason that—”
    “Please stop!” Colette held up her hands. “I’ve had quite enough of this conversation for one evening. Suffice it to say that both of you can marry whomever and whenever you choose.”
    “Thank you!” Paulette was more than happy to end the conversation. She loved Yvette, but her endless pursuit of a fiancé was a bit taxing. Whereas Paulette had loftier goals in mind.
    Lucien deftly changed the subject. “Have you been by to see the new shop yet?”
    Filled with excitement at the prospect of the new shop, Paulette answered, “No, I haven’t seen it yet. But Quinton said that it should be finished in the next few weeks. Then we shall be able to begin installing the furniture and books. I’m hoping we can open by the end of October.”
    Hamilton’s Book Shoppe was doing so well that she and Colette had decided to open another, larger bookstore on the other side of town. They had been preparing for months and the newly constructed building was almost ready.
    “We’re going to have a grand opening celebration,” Colette added. “And Juliette will be returning home in time to be a part of it.”
    “It’s going to be the best bookshop in London!” Paulette declared. She couldn’t wait for the new store to open!

Chapter 3
    Blame
    Declan Reeves sighed heavily as he entered the elegant townhouse he had just rented for his stay in London. How long he stayed depended on a number of things. He had simply needed to get away from Ireland for a while. Away from memories and sadness. Away from everything that he had ever known.
    Away from anything that reminded him of her.
    But more than anything else he had needed to get Mara away. His daughter needed a fresh start. He hoped that the change in environment would be good for her. And he prayed that it would prompt her to speak again.
    He glanced down at the little girl who walked beside him, her tiny hand clinging tightly to his. His daughter’s heart was broken and he did not know how to mend it.
    As they walked through the foyer of the house, he stopped and knelt beside her, looking into her pretty green eyes. “Mara, darlin’, are you happy with your new book?”
    She gave him a smile and nodded.
    Declan longed for her to laugh and giggle. To squeal with delight as she used to whenever he entered a room. She had been so bright and spirited before, full of life and energy. Now it was as if she were a shell of her former self. Hollow on the inside. He had no idea how to reach