Free An Invitation to Seduction by Lorraine Heath

announcement until the end of the Season?”
    She released a laugh that floated toward him as light asthe breeze. “Have you not listened to a single word I’ve said?”
    “I’ve heard every word, and I assure you that I shall not forget a single one. But I am also a proud man. To read your announcement would be to rub salt in the wound of your rejection.”
    Her brow furrowed. “When you came here, did you honestly think that I would turn away from Farthingham?”
    “I’d hoped. Apparently I vastly misjudged the affection you hold toward him.”
    “Apparently so.”
    “He is a most fortunate man. I shall envy him until the day I draw my final breath.”
    She shook her head. “No. Be happy for us, for what we’ll have. You’ll find someone else and easily forget me.”
    “Now it is you who have misjudged my affection for you.” He bowed slightly. “I bid you good day.”
    He strode from the garden, more determined than ever to possess her, to make her his wife, his duchess, his mate.
     
    Breakfast was becoming a terribly glum affair, Richard thought, as the only sound in the dining room was the consistent tapping and sliding of forks, knives, and spoons against china. He’d always longed for quiet while he’d read his newspaper, always tolerated the constant chattering of his mother and sister, turned a deaf ear, so to speak, yet constantly aware of them.
    Their continual silence these days, however, was driving him to madness!
    Precisely their goal, he was certain, and the very reason that he refused to acknowledge it. How could silence be so incredibly distracting and utterly annoying? And yet he found it was, beyond belief.
    He imagined Kitty greeting him each morning with asmile and a kiss and enlightening conversation. He hadn’t yet determined the best way to proceed where she was concerned. He’d considered speaking with Farthingham, but it seemed a bit presumptuous on his part to urge his friend to give up his claim to the Texas lady. He preferred a more subtle approach, perhaps to win the lady over first. Farthingham, as a gentleman, would surely step aside with the realization that he’d fallen out of favor, and Richard was more than willing to generously compensate his friend for his loss.
    On second thought, perhaps monetary compensation was the best way to go from the outset. Simply offer Farthingham far more funds than whatever settlement he’d obtain from marriage. He recognized, however, that funds would do little to satisfy the burdensome need for an heir. He cursed the duties that fell to a peer and forced obligations on him.
    But then he couldn’t deny that being a peer also brought with it a considerable number of benefits. Especially if one’s predecessors had the foresight to move beyond agriculture—as his had.
    The butler entered and presented a silver tray bearing a card to Richard. Richard took the card, read the name, and smiled. “Send him in, Watkins.”
    Richard came to his feet.
    “Who is it, Richard?” his mother asked.
    “Farthingham.”
    “Oh!” Anne popped up from her chair, her face suddenly animated.
    Farthingham strode into the room, bowing before his mother, taking her hand, and pressing a kiss to her fingers. “Duchess, I do believe you grow more lovely with each passing day.”
    “Oh, bosh, I do not grow lovelier. I simply grow older. But I see you are still a charmer, Farthingham.”
    “Dear lady, my charm is always only equal to the beauty before me. If it pleases you, it is only because the sight of you pleases me.”
    His mother laughed and waved her hand. “Off with you now! Take your charm elsewhere.”
    Smiling grandly, Farthingham approached Anne and held out his arms. “Lady Anne.”
    With a delightful and very unladylike squeal, she flung herself into his arms. “Oh, Farthingham, it’s so terribly good to see you.”
    He set her aside and made a big production of studying her. “I did not think it possible, but I do believe you are more