Read Online Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries - Free Book Online Page A

anything seriously?”
    â€œOnly when forced. But for you, dear Charlotte, I’ll attempt to restrain my levity.” He leaned forward. “If…”
    She arched one brow. “If?”
    â€œYou agree to spend the day with me. Alone.”
    Her fetching blush made his blood roar through his veins. “I don’t think that’s wise,” she said.
    â€œWhy not?” He fought for control over his wayward arousal. “We have much to discuss if you’re to be my valet. There’s the matter of your salary and my clothing budget, which will be much strained with all the new dressing gowns you mean for me to buy, not to mention—”
    â€œDo be serious.”
    He leveled her with an intent gaze. “I am. Spend the day with me, Charlotte. We’ll go for a long ride, have a picnic lunch…”
    â€œSuch a tête-à-tête would only give our fathers an excuse for forcing the marriage.”
    Bloody hell, she was as skittish as a yearling with its first halter. “Then we’ll take a groom. Of course, if you’re too much a coward to spend time with me alone…”
    She bristled, as he’d known she would. “It has more to do with good sense than cowardice.”
    A new voice came from the doorway. “What does?”
    David bit back a curse. If his little brother didn’t watch it, he was going to find himself on the wrong side of a beating. “Nothing that concerns you, Giles.”
    Before Giles could answer, the maid entered with a pot of tea for Charlotte. Then she started. “Begging your pardon, sirs, I didn’t realize the lady had company, or I would have brought more.”
    â€œIt’s fine, Molly,” David bit out as the maid came round the table to him. Flashing him a coy smile, she bent close enough that her bosom brushed his shoulder as she poured him a cup. When Charlotte scowled at her, David ground his teeth in irritation. Molly had become quite the little flirt lately. He would have to have a talk with the housekeeper.
    â€œCan I get you anything else, sir?” Molly said in avoice that left no question as to what she really wanted to offer him.
    â€œNo thank you,” he said. “That will be all.”
    â€œ I’d like some tea,” Charlotte said tersely.
    â€œOf course, miss,” Molly said as she walked behind David to pass in front of Giles.
    When David saw Giles brush his hand over Molly’s ass, he tensed. Thank God Charlotte couldn’t see it from where she sat, or it would only reinforce her opinion of them as a family of profligates.
    After Molly left, Charlotte flashed Giles a friendly smile that rubbed David raw. “Your brother has asked me to go out riding for a picnic,” Charlotte said blithely. “Why don’t you join us?”
    â€œCertainly,” said his imp of a brother.
    â€œThe bloody hell you will,” David ground out.
    â€œTsk, tsk,” Giles retorted. “Such language in front of a lady.”
    David shot to his feet. “I have to go put on my riding coat.” He caught his brother by the arm as Giles attempted to pass. “And you’re going with me. Now.”
    â€œBut I haven’t eaten,” Giles protested as David dragged him toward the door.
    â€œIf you don’t come with me,” David growled in his brother’s ear, “you’ll be eating my fist.”
    Giles grimaced, then glanced at Charlotte. “Excuse me, Miss Page. It seems my brother needs help putting on his riding coat.”
    David ignored Giles’s snide remark, but couldn’t help noting the unease on Charlotte’s face. He halted near the door to pin her with a dark glance. “Stay here. Don’t you dare leave.”
    She shot to her feet, eyes flashing. “Or what?”
    â€œOr I’ll tell our fathers what we discussed in the garden shed.”
    He regretted the threat when the blood drained from her