Season for Temptation by Theresa Romain Read Free Book Online

then added, “There is no need for a rush, is there? Need we be hasty?”
    Her lack of enthusiasm stung, and James drew back. “Hasty? I hadn’t thought of it that way. No, there’s no reason except my own wish to be settled.”
    It was mostly true. True enough. He did wish to be settled. At once.
    Louisa bit her lip as she considered, then admitted, “If we marry soon, I shall have to sponsor Julia during her season next spring.”
    This was a total non sequitur to James, but he tried to respond as he thought Louisa would expect him to.
    â€œI think that would be delightful. You could begin your life as a London hostess with one of your favorite family connections.”
    His groin tightened. Delightful. Julia, in his house, nearby always, saucy and willing.
    Oh, yes. And under his wife’s supervision. The vision popped as quickly as a soap bubble.
    Unaware of his thoughts, fortunately, Louisa was struggling to explain herself. She raised one slim hand, as if to ward off James’s suggestion.
    â€œI would not find it delightful. In fact, I’d find it the opposite.” She shook her head. “I can’t think of it; I really can’t. I do dislike drawing attention to my own faults, James, but it cannot have escaped your notice that I fit very poorly into the world of the ton . How would it serve Julia—or my own self—to try to take a place of prominence in that world and lead an unknown young lady into it?”
    Her reluctance was startling, but after pondering her words for a few moments, James wasn’t really surprised. He knew she hadn’t enjoyed her London season; good Lord, they had met because she was hiding from a ballroom.
    But he had to persuade her to be married as soon as possible. How best could he do it?
    Well, there were always his title and his money. They were worth a try.
    â€œIs that all that’s bothering you?” At her suddenly mulish expression, he added hastily, “Not, of course, that I mean to belittle your concerns. But you forget, my dear, that I bring connections to our marriage as well. As my wife, the new Viscountess Matheson, you will have the respect of all you meet.” He grinned at her; his most charming grin, the one that had always caused young women to swoon and flutter. “If I do say so myself.”
    Louisa, of all young women, seemed immune to The Grin. “I know,” she replied, her expression glum. “I know that you’re very much a part of that world, and that it is important to you. But could I not be one of those wives who stays in the country all the time?” A hopeful smile peeped at the corners of her mouth. “You could tell everyone I misbehaved terribly and you had to rusticate me.”
    James responded appreciatively to her sly smile and the potential double meaning of her words. “A misbehaving wife? Surely not my wife.”
    He bent his head, intending to drop a kiss on her lips. Just a small one. Just to remind himself of what he had promised to be to her.
    Louisa permitted him to draw within a breath of her face, but then seemed to think better of it and scooted away just out of his reach. “Apparently fictional misbehavior breeds genuine misbehavior,” she teased, her voice trembling a bit.
    James was startled by her movement, and caught literally off balance. He swayed, checked himself to keep from tipping over, and took a deep breath to collect himself. “Surely a kiss is not out of place from your future husband.”
    Louisa colored again, and he smiled inwardly. This was the blushing-est family he’d ever seen. He rather liked it; it made it easy to tell what they were feeling.
    Although, judging from her appearance, Louisa now looked . . . a bit anxious? Her brows were knit over her flushed cheeks, and she bit her bottom lip in seeming agitation.
    This wasn’t working. Why wouldn’t she agree to marry him quickly? He couldn’t