Lord Will & Her Grace by Sophia Nash Read Free Book Online Page A

prey with his sinful proposal. It could work. It was
the only plan he had, given Miss Somerset's apparent dislike of
fortune hunters and her confusion over his character. Yes, it might
well work after all was said and done.
    "Miss Somerset, I'm hoping you will allow me
the freedom of speaking plainly."
    "I daresay I've little say in the matter,
sir."
    "Well, since you've already seen me without a
stitch"—he stopped upon seeing her shocked expression. "Ahem, I
thought you wouldn't mind if we dispense with trivial talk such as
the weather?"
    "The weather can provide for stimulating
conversation at times, my lord. This might just be the exact topic
we should choose."
    "My dear Miss Somerset, I'm here to offer you
my help. I've heard of your misfortunes in London—of not being able
to attract an eligible parti—but let's speak no more of the pack of
fools inhabiting London these days." He dared not look at her face
lest he lose his nerve. He rushed on. "I would like to propose to
teach you the art of finding and attracting a husband."
    She had stopped walking He retraced two steps
to rejoin her.
    "Well, I suppose I should be surprised and
insulted by your unusual proposal. But I find I cannot be either."
She glanced the length of his physique. "I'm very sure you could
teach me to attract a gentleman—an art you have evidently honed to
perfection. Attracting gentlemen, I mean."
    She was steadier than he would have
guessed.
    "However, there's a flaw in your plan," she
continued.
    "A flaw?"
    "Yes," she said, pulling a pale blue shawl
more tightly about her shoulders. "I've no interest in securing a
titled fortune hunter for a husband. I'm returning to Wales."
    "Ah, I see. You have a love match all pat and
secure, waiting for you in your quaint little village in
Wales?"
    "Porthcall."
    "Ah, in Porthcall, then?"
    "No, I do not."
    He dipped his head to get a better view of
her expression. Her eyes were curiously composed. At least she
wasn't blushing and turning missish on him. "Then you've convinced
the relative who shall parcel out the inheritance that you're
worthy without benefit of a husband?"
    "You know a lot about my affairs, Lord
William."
    "As do you about my own, Miss Somerset."
    "Touché, sir. We are both of us in
uncomfortable situations."
    "Yes, my dear—uh, Miss Somerset. But you're
in a position to acquire what you ought to have, and I can help
you."
    "I thank you, but it is unnecessary. I have
taken my decision and it shall stand."
    "You're actually going to allow ten thousand
pounds a year to slip from your grasp?" He tried to make his tone
sound neutral.
    "No. It is actually more like fifteen
thousand a year."
    William closed his eyes in shock. Good
God .
    "But my Aunt Rutledge thought it would be
better if we didn't reveal that high a sum straightaway. She
thought I'd be able to attract the right sort dangling just ten."
She looked away. "However, my awkward and vulgar behavior, I am
told, took care of squelching any possible hope of connections to
the ton ."
    "You are wrong, my dear." He took hold of her
chin gently and drew her gaze back to his. "I'm certain, no matter
how great your transgressions, you could secure a comfortable
marriage easily, with a bit of help from me, behind the scenes, so
to speak."
    "I told you, I have decided to return to
Wales. I have no need of a husband."
    "Well, perhaps you are right. You probably
couldn't attract a flea for a spouse given your reputation at this
moment in time."
    She puffed up in indignation. "I could say
the same to you, sir."
    Ah, she was falling right into his plan.
"Perhaps. Yet, perhaps not. Care to wager on it?"
    "What? On your ability to be attracted to a
proper lady and actually wed her versus my ability to attract and
wed a lord?" She began to laugh in earnest.
    Well. It was insulting. Did she really think
he wouldn't have his pick of a thousand ladies? It was a first.
    "Yes, that is precisely what I had in mind,
Miss Somerset. In shall we say, three