The Seduction by Laura Lee Guhrke Read Free Book Online Page B

as you might expect, and Trevor left for Egypt."
    Margaret opened her mouth to ask another question, but she saw Cornelia approaching and quickly rose to her feet. She didn't want to give her matchmaking cousin any ideas. "This has been very interesting," she murmured, "but I really must be going."
    She remembered to give the duchess a curtsy before turning away. She rushed past Cornelia and crossed the terrace to enter the villa.
    Cornelia watched her cousin depart, then she turned to the duchess. "I couldn't help overhearing some of your conversation. She's been asking about Ashton?"
    "Of course. Doesn't she always ask about her potential suitors?"
    "Only so she can find reason to dismiss them," Cornelia said. She sank into the chair vacated by her cousin. "I wonder, do you really think he could be the right man for Margaret?" she asked with a thoughtful frown.
    "I'm beginning to think no man is the right man for Margaret," the duchess answered dryly. Cornelia was inclined to agree with her.

    Henry signed his name to the contract with a flourish and set it aside. Across the desk, Edward shook his head. "Are you sure about this? Refrigeration is an awfully new idea."
    "You're so conservative, Edward," Henry said with fondness. "Sometimes it's necessary to try new ideas."
    "I know, but the idea of chilled beer appalls me."
    Henry laughed, but before he could point out all the lucrative opportunities refrigeration could bring, a knock on the door interrupted him. It opened and Lord Ashton took a step into the study. "Forgive me for imposing," he said, "but I'm getting ready to leave, and I wanted to thank you, Mr. Van Alden, for your hospitality."
    Henry beckoned the other man into the room. "Come in, Ashton. Your comments this morning about income from industry as opposed to land rents has intrigued me. I'm wondering if you might be able to postpone your journey home? I have a business proposition that I think might interest you. Something that may entail some risk, but very lucrative if it succeeds."
    "Indeed? You've intrigued me, Mr. Van Alden," Trevor answered in surprise.
    "That was my intention."
    "I can't postpone my journey home for very long, I'm afraid, but I'd like to hear what you have in mind."
    "Excellent. My daughter and my niece are going to a dinner party this evening with the other female guests, so we will be taking that opportunity for a poker game. You and I can talk business afterward. Dinner is at seven o'clock, then poker and brandy in the card room."
    Trevor nodded and left, closing the door behind him.
    Edward studied Henry in puzzlement. "You want to discuss business with Trevor?"
    Instead of answering, Henry toyed with the quill in his hands for a moment. "Tell me a bit more about him, about his character. What sort of man is he?"
    The other man considered the question. "I think highly of him. He's shrewd. He has determination and strength of will. He's the sort of man that other men like. The ladies," Edward added with a hint of envy, "also find him quite charming."
    "What about his business acumen?"
    "It's too bad about his finances, of course. Trevor has ingenuity, but I think that when it comes to his estate, he's fighting a losing battle."
    "Would you have confidence in dealing with him, then?"
    Edward hesitated, then said, "Yes, although I think he's sometimes a bit too cocky for his own good. He's a gambler, a risk-taker."
    " Tsk , tsk ," Henry said, laughing. "Sounds a bit like me in my youth."
    "Perhaps. What are you planning, Henry? To go into business with him?"
    "Possibly. But I'm really considering him as a possible son-in-law."
    "What?" Edward stared at him in astonishment. "They only met this morning. Don't you think you're being a bit premature to consider him as a son-in- law?"
    Henry shrugged. "For months, I've allowed Cornelia to take the discreet and proper approach, hoping Margaret would find a man who suited her, but that hasn't worked at all. I'm afraid my daughter may end up