Free An Invitation to Seduction by Lorraine Heath Page A

beautiful than ever.” He touched the back of his knuckles to the dark hair at her temple. “My God, how you’ve grown.”
    She patted his shoulders. “Don’t be silly. I saw you at Christmas. Now gather up some food and join us. We have much catching up to do.”
    “Gossip, you mean?”
    “Of course! Now come on. Hurry.”
    Farthingham finally looked Richard’s way. “Weddington, I hope you will forgive my intrusion.”
    “I would never consider your presence an intrusion.” He gestured toward the sideboard. “Anne is correct. We have an abundance of offerings here. You are more than welcome to join us.”
    “I believe I shall then.”
    Richard and Anne took their seats, waiting patiently while Farthingham heaped food on his plate. The marquess took his place at the table, looking like a man who had conquered the world. “I hope you’ll not think me greedy, but I left home this morning before Cook had prepared breakfast.”
    Richard thought it more likely that Farthingham was not having breakfast prepared. He knew the man’s financial situation was in dire straits, and one could pretend for only so long before the creditors began knocking on one’s door.
    “Eat all you want,” his mother urged. “We have plenty.”
    “You are too generous, Duchess.” He savored his first bite of pheasant by closing his eyes and purring. “Excellent.” His eyes popped open. “I do believe you have the best cooks in all of London. Now on to the gossip.”
    Anne fidgeted in her chair and leaned toward him, her eyes opened wide. “Is it true you plan to marry an American?”
    “Indeed it is, Lady Anne. Why were you not at Ravenleigh’s ball? I would have introduced you to the lovely lady.”
    “I wasn’t feeling well,” she replied meekly.
    Richard narrowed his eyes. “She thinks I am being unfair to insist she marry a man of rank. She has decided to hide away this Season, which means I’ll have to select a husband for her without knowing if she favors him.”
    “You wouldn’t!” she snapped.
    “What choice do you give me?”
    “Why would you not wish to marry a peer?” Farthingham asked.
    She turned her attention back to him. “I believe I’ve fallen in love. It’s truly a wondrous thing. My world is brightened by his presence, and he is a good man, but he is not a peer, and Richard disapproves.”
    “As well he should, my sweet.”
    “Oh!” She released a tiny shriek. “I thought you, at least, would be on my side.”
    “It is not a matter of taking sides, Lady Anne. One simply does not marry beneath one’s standing.”
    Her mouth dropped open. “And what of you, marrying an American? Richard would argue that you’re marrying beneath your standing. He can barely tolerate Americans.”
    “Indeed? It appeared to me that he was tolerating Kitty rather well when he waltzed with her at Ravenleigh’s.”
    Anne glared at Richard. “You’ve met her, and you said nothing?”
    “Since we left Drummond Manor you’ve acted as though I do not exist,” he reminded her. “You’ve not spoken one word to me. I assumed you had no desire to talk with me, and I had no wish to make you unhappy by forcing you to endure my conversation.”
    “He’s quite right, my dear,” his mother said. “You’ve been most unpleasant in a pleasant sort of way. So let’s move on to more pressing matters. Farthingham, tell me all about your lady.”
    “With pleasure, Your Grace. Kitty is a delight. Her father made his fortune in railroads and banking and other wise investments. Her mother is a lady of the highest regard…”
    As Farthingham continued on, touting Kitty’s illustrious pedigree, Richard was amazed by how differently two men could view the same woman. Ask him his opinion of her, and he would have painted a portrait of a woman who burned with passion, who believed in loyalty. A woman who sneaked out at dawn to enjoy the sunrise. A woman who swam nude in the waters of the world. A woman who had given him