Read The Seduction of Sophie Seacrest for Free Online Page A

arm around her
little sister's shoulders, and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Run
along and search out Mrs. Jeffries for some lemon cakes. I shall
meet you directly.”
    Caroline nodded and raced off toward the
kitchen. Once she was gone, Sophie drew in a deep breath. What
could Father want that was so urgent? Had he muddled the ledgers
again? Not that he handled the accounts on any regular basis, but
there was the rare occasion when he still wanted to control the
books, which never lasted past an empty bottle.
    She eyed the closed library door as a new
possibility seeped into her brain. One of the gentlemen from the
Potsdane soiree wanted to call on her . Which one? Sophie cursed
the black-haired devil who had made this blasted husband hunting
necessary.
    Just then, the library door burst open,
slicing her thoughts into jagged pieces. Her father stood in the
doorway, an excited glaze covering his rheumy eyes. “Sophie, my
dear, come. We have a guest."
    It was a suitor! “Father, I am hardly
prepared to accept a visitor.” She gestured toward her riding habit
and boots. “If you will allow me but a few moments, I shall make
myself presentable.”
    “Bah! You’re lovely as you are. Come. I’m
certain our visitor will not be concerned with your dress. He is
himself, ah, shall we say, a bit unconventional. Yes,” he said with
a faint twist of his lips, “unconventional would be an appropriate
word.”
    Unwilling to risk the loss of her father's
sudden good spirits, Sophie moved toward him, attempting to smooth
the wrinkles from her riding habit. Not only was she unable to do
so, but upon closer inspection, she noted mud splattered on her
boots. She groaned and tossed her head, which sent a few errant
pins skittering across the floor. Dear Lord, she would certainly
frighten away any would-be suitor, but she’d have to make the best
of it. She pasted a smile on her face and followed her father into
the library. A man sat in a chair facing away from her which made
him indiscernible save for his very long, very muscular thighs
encased in fawn breeches and black boots. Sophie rounded the chair
just as the man stood.
    The shock of Gregory Thurston’s compelling
navy gaze boring into her caused her to stumble and careen forward.
He reached to catch her, but she righted herself before he touched
her, at which time she took several steps backward.
    “Lady Sophie, what a pleasure to see you
again.” A slow smile slid across his lips.
    “Thurston just informed me the two of you had
met before,” her father called from the sideboard.
    “Briefly,” she replied, ignoring Gregory
Thurston’s insolent gaze.
    “Yes,” the blasted devil interjected
smoothly, “we had a very enjoyable evening at the Potsdane soiree
discussing shipbuilding and the like. Your daughter is a most
informed companion.”
    Her father smiled and handed her a glass of
sherry. “Well then, Sophie, you must already know Mr. Thurston is
planning to purchase a fleet of ships. He’s looking to us to build
them and has requested you accompany us to the docks and take an
active part in providing information and such. I’m inclined to
agree that aside from me, no one understands our business as well
as you.”
    “But Father,” Sophie sputtered, “surely you
can't be serious. It would be quite improper for me to accompany
Mr. Thurston anywhere, and most certainly not to the docks.”
    “Child, Mr. Thurston is a gentleman and I
will be present. Besides, when have you concerned yourself with
properness? I daresay, that word has never been part of your
vocabulary.” He took a healthy swig of sherry and focused on his
visitor. “Thurston, my man, consider it done. My daughter and I
will visit the docks tomorrow.”
    “Father, did Mr. Thurston inform you he’s
staying at Ellswood?” There, let the man convince her father to
trust him after he admitted he resided with their enemy.
    “He did. Seems he and Jason Langford were
friends at Oxford. Can’t fault