Read Online The Temptation of a Gentleman by Jenna Petersen - Free Book Online Page A

something he didn’t want to consider. It didn’t fit into his carefully laid plans.
    ***
    Marion tossed the book in her hand aside, letting out a soft curse as it hit the floor and skidded under a chair across the room. As interesting as the matchmaking attempts of Emma were, Marion could no more concentrate on them than she could a boring treatise on commerce in modern England. All she could manage to think about was Noah Jordan.
    “ Ridiculous girl,” she chided herself softly. “As if a man like him would ever think twice about a no one like you.”
    “ Beg your pardon, miss?”
    Marion turned with a blush at being caught muttering to herself. “Nothing, Sally,” she said to the girl at the door. “Was there something you needed?”
    “ There’s a message for you, miss.” Sally held out a silver tray with a note.
    Marion barely resisted the urge to grab it greedily. “Thank you.”
    When the other woman was gone, she turned the letter over to look at it carefully. Her name was written in a bold hand across the face of the envelope and her heart began to beat faster. Noah, only Noah would send her a message.
    She nearly tore the note in half as she opened it and threw herself into the nearest settee. As her eyes scanned the paper, she noted the strength that even his handwriting exuded.
    Meet me in the rose garden, N.
    She read it over once more. Her father and Lucas had gone out for a few hours, so she had time for a secret meeting. She thrilled at the adventure of that thought as she stuffed the note into the pocket of her pelisse. As she hurried into the foyer, Sally looked up.
    “ Is everything all right, miss?”
    Marion turned back. She had to calm down or the whole house would suspect her! The smile on her face seemed false and stiff, but she said, “Oh yes, just going for a stroll in the garden.”
    “ Very good, Miss Marion,” the girl said with a tiny curtsey. “You just seem a bit flushed.”
    “ It must be this humid heat.” She waved her hand around in the air. “Perhaps I’ll find some relief in the shade.”
    Sally nodded as she returned to her duties. “I hope so, miss. Have a nice walk.”
    Marion nodded, then turned and strolled casually to the door. Seemed she had much to learn about sneaking around. She didn’t want the household to become suspicious of her activities and report them to Josiah Lucas or her father.
    Once she was outside, Marion gave two quick glances around, then took off at a brisk walk toward the rose garden. Noah had chosen a spot that was close enough to the house that it seemed casual, yet private enough where they could talk.
    When she finally reached the small area where tended roses bloomed in their last gasp of summer, Marion didn’t see Noah. With a frown, she took a few more hurried steps through the bushes.
    “ You look as though you’re trying to escape a fire, not meet a friend.”
    Marion spun around to find Noah sitting on one of the low benches in the middle of the garden. He was sprawled out with one foot pulled up on the bench. He held a red rose in his hand. As she took a step closer, he held it out to her.
    “ We’ll have to work on the expression of panic on your face, as well,” he teased as she took the flower with a blush.
    “ I’m sorry.” Marion sat down on the bench, but left a respectable amount of distance between them. “I was just so happy to get your message. After you left yesterday, I wasn’t certain you’d come back, at all.”
    A guilty look crossed his face. “I’m sorry to have worried you, Marion. You must understand your proposition surprised me. I needed some time to consider your request.”
    “ And have you had enough time now?”
    He nodded slowly. “I believe so.”
    She waited for him to continue, but he was silent. In frustration she asked, “Well, what was your decision? I don’t think I can bear the tension any longer.”
    He let out his breath slowly and nodded. “You were very honest with me