Read Online To Seduce a Bride by Nicole Jordan - Free Book Online

the ton.
    She had few duties at the Academy during the summer term, however, since most of the pupils had returned home to their families. So this was an ideal time to go to London—in more ways than one.
    Most definitely she would be glad to escape Lord Claybourne’s unwanted attentions. And she would find it very satisfying if she could help Fanny’s fellow Cyprians solve their financial problems.
    Just as gratifying, Lily reflected with a small frisson of pleasure, she would be starting a brand new chapter in her life. Now that the wedding celebrations were finally over, she could begin charting her own course for a life of freedom and adventure.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
    By the time Tess arrived and joined Lily in her bedchamber, she had written a note to Fanny, which she’d sent off to London by messenger, and had nearly finished packing.
    â€œRoslyn doesn’t seem to have suffered from her ordeal, thankfully,” Tess said, taking a seat in a side chair. “But she tells me you are planning an excursion to London.”
    â€œYes,” Lily replied as she rummaged through her wardrobe for the final items she would need for an extended stay. “I mean to leave this afternoon.”
    â€œSurely that is a bit rash—fleeing home so you can escape Lord Claybourne’s attentions.”
    â€œNot at all. But in truth, I have another very good reason to go. Fanny is in a bit of financial difficulty.”
    Tess frowned. “What sort of difficulty?”
    â€œIt is a matter of gambling debts, although not Fanny’s. This past spring two of her oldest courtesan friends lost enormous sums at the Faro tables, and the gaming hell owner is demanding repayment now. Fanny is trying to keep her friends out of debtors’ prison, or worse.”
    â€œYou are speaking of Fleur and Chantel?”
    â€œYes. They took Fanny under their wing when she first came to London eight years ago, so she is not about to abandon them.” Lily glanced back at Tess. “I didn’t want to mention their troubles to Roslyn, for then she would feel obliged to get involved, and she deserves to rest after all her endeavors. But I hope to help Fanny myself.”
    Tess’s frown deepened. “And you intend to stay at Fanny’s rooming house? Lily, that place is little more than a home for lightskirts, run by two famous Cyprians.”
    â€œI suppose so.”
    Fleur Delee and Chantel Amour had been the most celebrated courtesans of their day, but they had passed their prime long ago and were now in their sixth decade. When their careers had waned and they’d had difficulty supporting themselves, Fanny had bought a large mansion to provide them a home. Not wanting to be a burden, they offset expenses by taking in boarders, mainly other members of the demimonde.
    â€œBut that,” Lily explained, “is precisely why their boardinghouse could be an ideal hiding place for me. Claybourne is unlikely to find me there. And if he should happen to learn where I’ve gone”—Lily smiled a little—“I expect he will be too scandalized to discover me living with lightskirts to want me for his future marchioness.”
    Tess shook her head in exasperation. “You could be asking for trouble.”
    That comment made Lily laugh. “I wouldn’t mind a bit of trouble to enliven my life. Indeed, that is part of my plan’s charm. I mean to look upon it as an adventure…the first of many, I hope.”
    â€œYou couldn’t find another adventure besides taking up with Fanny’s notorious friends?”
    Lily arched an eyebrow. “You don’t expect me to keep away from them because of any prudish notions I ought to have?”
    â€œI suspect,” Tess said dryly, “there isn’t a prudish bone in your body. But aren’t you the least concerned about your reputation?”
    â€œNot overmuch. I doubt I will be recognized,