Read Online The Seduction of Sarah Marks by Kathleen Bittner Roth - Free Book Online Page A

peruse your collections later. At the moment, she requires rest.”
    Disappointment ruffled Mum’s countenance, and she appeared confused for a moment. But then her eyes cleared. “Yes, yes, you only arrived today, didn’t you? Well, gel, tomorrow we shall begin anew. So very much to do.” She wandered off.
    Hemphill stepped between Eastleigh and Sarah. “A word, Eastleigh. Miss Marks, the servant here will see you to your chamber.” He turned on his heel. Once out the door, he veered left.
    Eastleigh cocked a brow. “The library, is it? Must be serious.” He turned to Sarah, who’d grown pale.
    He resisted the urge to take her in his arms. “You’re safe here.” God, he wanted to kiss her. “Rest well.”
    She gave a little nod. “Everything is so strange when one has no recollections.”
    Those sorrowful blue eyes nearly undid him. “Imagine what it was like for me to return home and feel the same way about my family who knew and loved me—all strangers.”
    “You’ll see to sending off inquiries on my behalf?”
    He nodded. “First thing in the morning.”
    She backed away. “Thank you. You’ve been more than kind.”
    He regarded the gentle sway of her hips as she departed, and then he strode into the library and closed the door.
    “Don’t touch her, Eastleigh.” Hemphill’s face was a stern mask, his bushy brows drawn together. “Do not so much as take her by the elbow to escort her anywhere. Not until she has her memory back, at least.” He picked up a book and leafed through it.
    Fury shot through Eastleigh, along with a good dose of guilt. “Look here. I have no intention of doing anything unseemly.”
    “Come, now.” Hemphill tossed the book back on the table with a thud. “I see the way you look at her—any blind fool can see right through you.”
    “I can’t help it if I am attracted to—”
    “Have you forgotten what we are dealing with here?” Hemphill’s voice rose to a shout. “One wrong move could erase her memory forever, damn it. We need to do all we can to see she recovers and remembers her life.”
    Eastleigh shoved his hand through his hair. “Perhaps never remembering is not such a bloody bad idea.”
    “You can’t mean that.” Hemphill’s tone softened. “For God’s sake, think what it’s been like for you. Look at the setback you had when you ran into your cousin come home from the war.”
    A muscle in Eastleigh’s jaw twitched. “We’ll never settle our differences.”
    “You will, in due time. For now, you have a woman above stairs who has no idea who she is, where she came from, or anything beyond the past few days. Until her full memory returns—until she can think freely and without constraint—leave her the hell alone!”

Chapter Seven
    Sarah slipped out of bed and made her way to the balcony doors where she flung open the curtains. A soft glow spilled into the room. No matter which way the window hangings were drawn, either open or closed, the full moon raised havoc with her ability to sleep. But then, she’d kept to her chambers since her arrival and had taken so many naps after her exhausting trip, no wonder she’d grown restless.
    Her stomach growled. She ran a hand over her belly. Why did her appetite have to return full-force in the middle of the night? She ignored the inner grumblings and decided to spend some time writing in the journal Doctor Hemphill had insisted she keep.
    Lighting a small lamp on her desk, she sat, dipped her pen into the inkwell and poised her hand over the open diary. Nothing. She propped her elbow on the table, set her chin in her hand, and stared at the moon. Her stomach bit at her backbone. She glanced down at the journal where she’d mindlessly scribbled the word “cake.” Would it be wicked to sneak down to the kitchen? Wherever that might be? Surely no one would mind. Another noisy rumble, and her stomach clenched.
    Perhaps some milk. There’d likely be no sleep at all if she didn’t at least fill a