Read Online To Bed or to Wed by Sandra Sookoo - Free Book Online

and exploited. “I haven’t stayed in touch with him as much as I should have though we do see each other in passing while Parliament is in.”
    “I would advise against becoming chummy. When his sister leaves this estate, I’ll breathe easier.”
    Nathan grunted. “I have more willpower than pulling the woman into a shadowy corner and having my way with her.” His chest tightened at the thought. Their latest kiss —or almost ruination of Charlotte—jumped to the forefront of his mind and his groin hardened. Under no circumstances will I indulge in such a thing with her again. If he concentrated hard enough, the rose scent of her soap or perfume lingered in his nose. He still felt the flutter of her pulse beneath his fingers from when he’d restrained her hand when she would have slapped him or when he’d bitten the soft flesh at her shoulder.
    A brief smile touched Alexandra’s lips. “I’m glad to hear it, for there are other—better—women to charm than Charlotte Darrington.”
    “Meaning?” His patience with his sister was evaporating the longer they chatted.
    “Meaning you have a responsibility to your title as well as your family. Your job is to marry well, further your fortune , and elevate your sister into greater circles.” She patted an escaped tendril of hair back into place. “Social placement is everything.”
    “Society can go hang for all I care. It has done nothing for me.” Unable to stomach looking at his sister, he turned back to the snowy scene below. Another few stragglers followed after Jamie’s bunch and this time, Charlotte was among them. His breath caught and his pulse accelerated. Her hair was a brilliant contrast against the snow before she covered it with a gray scarf. “I want nothing from it other than to be left alone, and I most certainly am not interested in having my life upset by a woman mired in domesticity’s clutches.”
    “Pish posh, Nathan. Stop being a bacon-brained nodcock and realize your expectations.” She tossed the paper onto a nearby table. “You should try being more receptive to Lady Sophia Amherst’s overtures. She’s halfway in love with you anyway and would be a perfect addition to your life.”
    “I detest forward women who throw themselves at men.” Except Charlotte had been more than forward. When he’d called her a lady rogue, it wasn’t far from the truth. He rubbed a hand along his jaw. Outside, she broke from the group with a wave in order to hike alone in the opposite direction of the stables. Where did she intend to go? There was nothing on that side of the estate except parkland and woods.
    “You could do worse than Lady Sophia.” Censure hung on Alexandra’s voice.
    “True, but I could do better.”
    She snorted. “Better than a duke’s daughter? Who then? Unless you have a princess in mind somewhere, I’d like to see that.”
    Nathan grinned. “Higher class doesn’t necessarily mean a better person.” What he wouldn’t give to trail after Charlotte if only to find out her direction. Did she not care for the others’ company? Granted, Jamie and his friends were much younger, but still, did she prefer being alone or did she shun the trappings and silly entertainments of Society? Excitement tingled along his spine. Perhaps he and she had something in common after all.
    “ Higher class means greater power.”
    He sighed and abandoned the outdoor scene in order to stare at his sister. “Ah, so th at’s how the wind blows for you? You crave power? What about love? Isn’t that what women want more than anything?” Was that something Charlotte wanted?
    “Oh please.” Alexandra stood only to pace the cozy confines of the room. “I married Grantley for love , which,” the glance she shot him brimmed with barely concealed hostility, “you deprived me of that, didn’t you?”
    “You know what happened. I had no choice .” Would she never forgive him for things beyond his control on the battlefield?
    “Or you