Read Online The Earl's Enticement (Castle Bride Series) by Collette Cameron - Free Book Online

She didn’t want to be attractive to men. She had all she could handle fighting off Brayan’s unwanted attentions.
    She dabbed a drop of iris and lily perfume behind each ear. There was no reason she shouldn’t enjoy her favorite scent.
    Thank God she’d been spared the ordeal of a coming out, although Ewan and Mother tried to persuade her to at least venture to London once. That was one advantage of being a Scot. There was no pressing need to present oneself at court before being put on display on the Marriage Mart, much like prime cattle at Tattersall’s.
    Donning a pair of ruby and topaz earrings, she smiled imagining the ridiculous scene. The marriageable misses assembled side-by-side, simpering and preening, as the eligible gentlemen lifted their quizzing glasses and inspected each eager damsel in turn.
    I say, Lord Nincumpoop, Miss Birdwit appears delightfully healthy overall. Her breathing is normal, not the least exerted. Her eyes are clear, bright, and free of discharge. Her hair is thick and shiny, and her complexion is free of blemishes too.
    Except for that wart on the tip of her nose.
    I suppose for five thousand pounds annually, I could be persuaded to overlook the blemish.
    My dear Miss Rattlepate, may I have a look at your teeth?
    Oh, would you look at that, Lord Falderal!
    Not a tooth missing. Nice and straight too, though the garlic and onions you ate at dinner are lingering overlong, my dear. I advise nibbling some parsley.
    What about her disposition? Is she obedient and compliant? Does she kick or strike? Nip or bite?
    Adaira grinned. If only the misses had to hoist their skirts to have their hips, legs, and feet inspected like her horses did before she sold them. What a sight that would be.
    Maisey stepped back, eyeing her handiwork. Her blue-gray eyes beamed with approval. “Miss Adaira, ye be right bonnie tonight.”
    Adaira smiled. “Thank you.” She started for the door. “You needn’t wait up for me.”
    Maisey face puckered into a confused frown. “Again?” Her gaze sank to the floor. “Have I displeased ye in some way?”
    Adaira hurried back to the crestfallen maid. Laying a hand on Maisey’s arm, Adaira reassured her. “No, not at all. It will be another late evening, and I know you’re helping your sister with her bairn.”
    A look of relief settled on the maid’s plump face. “Aye, he’s still not sleeping through the night. The laddie wants the teat all the time.”
    An image of Marquardt popped into Adaira’s mind. She firmly shoved it aside. “He’ll be a fine strapping lad like Niall, then.” Adaira grinned. “Perhaps, he’s another blacksmith in the making.”
    With another encouraging smile, she quit the room. Brayan would be at dinner tonight. Her smile faded. Although he’d made several attempts to see her, she’d managed to avoid him until this afternoon. Thank goodness Marquardt didn’t know who’d helped her. She’d never reveal her accomplice, especially with Marquardt’s continued threats of imprisonment.
    Unfortunately, Ewan had yet to return home. Two days she’d dealt with that lout in the dungeon. Days of Marquardt ranting about her inadequacies as a gentle-bred woman. Days of doubting her ill-conceived decision to abduct and imprison him. Days of allowing her imagination to run wild about prison.
    The horrors of Newgate’s conditions were infamous. Would Marquardt have the power to demand she be taken there? Even more alarming was an unbidden thought yesterday morning which sent her head spinning.
    Have I committed an offense punishable by hanging?
    Roark prowled his cell. Ten irate paces to the wall. Ten fuming paces back. The lone candle flickered but valiantly continued to burn despite being scarcely more than a nub.
    His last one.
    The weak flame cast meandering shadows across the rustic walls. On a stone above the table, he’d discovered one hundred and seventeen etched marks. Some pitiable sot had spent almost four months locked in this