Read Online Lady Sarah's Sinful Desires by Sophie Barnes - Free Book Online

level of comprehension, but then again, there was very little about the ton that made sense to her. “I must admit that Thorncliff is more extravagant than any other place I’ve ever visited,” she said. “From what I’ve seen since my arrival earlier today, it will take the duration of my stay to explore it.” She took another bite of her food. Heavens, this tasted divine.
    â€œIt was founded during the twelfth century by a knight named William Holden. After Holden’s ser­vice in the Crusades, King Richard the First rewarded him with land, and William began work on what would eventually become Thorncliff Manor,” Lord Spencer told her. “Since then, each generation has expanded on it, molding it into the estate it is today.”
    Sarah couldn’t help but be impressed. “How do you know all of this?”
    Lord Spencer shrugged. “I have a particular interest in the history of English castles. They intrigue me.”
    Their plates were whisked away and a new course was set before them; glazed duck accompanied by an arrangement of fruits and vegetables.
    â€œHas that always been the case?” Sarah asked.
    Lord Spencer stilled. “Why do you ask?”
    The question surprised her. “Because I’m interested.”
    He looked at her for a moment as if deciding whether or not to believe her. Absurd. Why on earth would she lie about something like that?
    Picking up his cutlery, he went to work on his duck. “When I was ten, my family and I visited Brighton. On our way back to London, we passed Bodiam Castle. It was as if it had been conjured from my imagination—­the perfect setting for all the stories I’d read about knights. As soon as I returned home I made a sketch of it, and then a model—­the first of many.”
    â€œAnd did you ever manage to visit Bodiam Castle properly so you could explore it?” She took a bite of her food, her eyes straying across the table as she did so. Mr. Denison was watching her with a frown. So was her stepmother, she noted. Sarah chose to ignore both of them in favor of enjoying her evening. She glanced at Lord Spencer. Who would have thought that she would find him entertaining, considering his penchant for cutting remarks and quelling frowns? He was much too serious.
    â€œUnfortunately, I did.”
    â€œUnfortunately?”
    His eyes seemed to darken. “It was a great disappointment, as is often the case when one’s expectations have risen to unreasonable heights.”
    â€œI see,” Sarah said, for it was the only response she could think to make. Nobody was this caustic by nature. Something must have happened to him to make him so cynical. Sarah couldn’t stop herself from wondering what it might have been. “Will you be staying long at Thorncliff?” she found herself asking, even though she knew she shouldn’t. She’d met him in the conservatory and had been placed beside him during dinner. It had to stop there.
    â€œThe entire summer,” he said. “And you?”
    â€œUntil my engagement is announced, I’d imagine.” She would not allow him to think she had any interest in him, when she didn’t. No matter how handsome he might be. She’d known handsome once, and the encounter had ruined her.
    â€œAh.” He raised an eyebrow. “Then you really aren’t trying to trap me?”
    â€œYou still suspect I might be?” She narrowed her gaze on him. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those men who thinks himself so desirable that a woman would find it near impossible to resist his charms. That she would go to great lengths in order to get herself married to him against his own will.”
    He reached for his wine. “Of course not.”
    She continued to stare at him while he placed the glass to his lips and drank. “Good Lord,” she uttered. “You are!”
    â€œAnd what if I am?”