Free Quick, Amanda by Seduction

the nape of her neck.
    "I… Excuse me, my lord. I must go upstairs. Everything has come undone." She
    whirled and flew to the door.
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    "Sophy." There was a clink of glass on glass.
    "Yes, my lord?" She paused, her hand on the doorknob, and glanced back warily.
    Julian was standing by the fire, his arm resting casually along the white marble
    mantle. He had a fresh glass of port in his hand. Sophy was more alarmed than
    ever when she saw the masculine satisfaction in his eyes. His mouth was curved
    tenderly but the smile did little to alleviate the familiar arrogance radiating
    from him. He was very sure of himself now, very confident.
    "Seduction is not such a fearful thing, after all, is it, my sweet? You are
    going to enjoy yourself and I think you have had sufficient time to realize
    that."
    Was this what it had been like for poor Amelia? A complete devastation of the
    senses?
    Unaware of what she was doing, Sophy touched her lower lip with the tip of her
    finger. "Kisses such as the ones you just gave me are your idea of seduction, my
    lord?"
    He inclined his head, his eyes flaring with amusement. "I hope you enjoy them,
    Sophy, because there will be many more such kisses to come. Beginning tonight.
    Go on upstairs to bed, my dear. I will join you shortly. I am going to seduce
    you into granting me a proper wedding night. Believe me, my love, you will thank
    me tomorrow morning for putting an end to this entirely unnatural situation you
    have created. And I will take great pleasure in accepting your gratitude."
    Fury surged through Sophy, mingling with the other heady emotions that were
    already coursing through her. She was suddenly so violently angry she could not
    even speak. Instead, she jerked open the heavy mahogany doors and dashed across
    the hall to the stairs.
    She stormed into her bedchamber a few minutes later and startled her maid who
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    was busy turning down the bed.
    "My lady! Is somethin' wrong?"
    Sophy took a grip on her anger and her reeling senses. She was breathing much
    too quickly. "No, no, Mary. Nothing is wrong. I took the stairs too quickly,
    that's all. Please help me with my dress."
    "Certainly, ma'am." Mary, a bright-eyed young girl in her late teens who was
    thrilled with her recent promotion to the status of lady's maid, came forward to
    assist her mistress in undressing. She handled the embroidered muslin gown with
    reverent care.
    "I think I would like a pot of tea before bedtime, Mary. Would you please have
    one sent up?"
    "At once, my lady."
    "Oh, and Mary, have two cups put on the tray." Sophy took a deep breath. "The
    Earl will be joining me.'
    Mary's eyes widened with approval but she wisely held her tongue as she helped
    Sophy into a chintz dressing gown. "I'll have the tea up here straight away,
    ma'am. Oh, that reminds me. One of the housemaids is complainin' of her stomach.
    She thinks it's somethin' she ate. She was wantin' to know if I'd ask your
    advice."
    "What? Oh, yes, of course." Sophy turned toward her chest of dried herbs and
    quickly filled a small packet with a selection that included powdered licorice
    and rhubarb. "Take these to her and tell her to mix two pinches of each into a
    cup of tea. That should settle her stomach. If she is not any better by morning,
    be sure to let me know."
    "Thank you, ma'am. Alice will be ever so grateful. She suffers a lot from a
    Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    nervous stomach, I hear. By the by, Allan the footman says to tell you his sore
    throat is much better thanks to that honey and brandy syrup you had Cook prepare
    for him."
    "Excellent, excellent, I'm glad to hear it," Sophy said impatiently. The last
    thing she wanted to discuss tonight was Allan the footman's sore throat. "Now,
    Mary, please hurry with that tea, will you?"
    "Yes,