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

“And I remember when you were born, lad.” He sighed. “Seems like only yesterday.”
    Taking the occasional sip from the glass of claret before him, Christopher listened quietly as the older men in his company began reminiscing about the past. He was only too aware of how soon he was likely to find himself in their shoes. If the speed with which the first thirty years of his life had passed him by was any indication, he’d be a grandfather before he had time to blink. It was frightening, and quickly led to a mood he didn’t much care for. Devil take it, he really ought to set his mind to finding a wife.
    White-­blonde hair and clear blue eyes filled his mind’s eye as he pondered Lady Sarah. What was he thinking? He knew little about her—­had only just met her—­yet she was the first who came to mind as he contemplated his future. Perhaps because he secretly enjoyed the way she scrunched her nose when he annoyed her. Or because of how blunt she’d been with him during dinner. Nobody, not even his sisters, had dared accuse him of being afraid. Not that it mattered. Lady Sarah had already set her sights on someone else and would soon be announcing her engagement.
    He was still wondering who the lucky fellow might be when his father rose from his seat along with the other gentlemen, their conversation apparently at an end. “Shall we go and join the ladies?” his father asked him, “or would you prefer a game of cards?”
    Getting to his feet, Christopher rose to his full height—­an inch above his father. “A game of whist would be splendid.” Anything to take his mind off his duty.
    By eleven o’clock, Christopher and his father had won most of the rounds. “Gentlemen, I think I’m going to retire,” Christopher said, downing the last of his brandy.
    â€œAlready?” Mr. Hewitt asked. “How about one last round?”
    â€œYou’ll have to find another partner,” Pinehurst told Hewitt. “I’ve been ready for bed myself this past hour.”
    â€œIt’s been a pleasure,” Christopher said, rising.
    With a nod, Christopher’s father wished him a good night, as did Hewitt and Pinehurst. Hewitt did not look pleased, probably because he’d hoped his luck would change and that he and Pinehurst would win another round before closing the game. It wasn’t likely to happen unless Christopher and his father deliberately allowed it.
    Exiting the room, Christopher turned right, in a direction that would lead him toward the stairs. It was an exceedingly long hallway with a series of nooks set into the walls, where vases filled with bursts of lilacs had been placed to their best advantage. The distance between doorways leading into different rooms was at least twenty paces, occasionally twice that, and as he passed each one, he glanced inside, marveling at the vast variety of design between them. He was just about to pass the last room on his right when his sister Fiona stepped out, blocking his path. “We need to talk,” she said as she reached for his hand and began dragging him back inside the room with her.
    What the devil?
    â€œHave you been lying in wait for me?” he asked. “How on earth did you even know I’d be coming this way?”
    â€œI knew you’d eventually need to go upstairs, and I didn’t want to miss you once you did. We didn’t want to miss you.”
    Christopher froze. We? That’s when it occurred to him that the room Fiona had led him into was filled with not only his remaining sisters but with his mother as well. Damnation! He turned for the door, determined to make his escape while he could, only to find that Fiona had closed it, locked it, and removed the key during the momentary state of bewilderment he’d endured upon seeing all those familiar faces staring back at him. It was a trap, and he could see no decent way out of