Reason to Wed (The Distinguished Rogues Book 7) Read Online Free

rejoiced at the news his cousin’s wife would have a third child, he was also swept up in a wave of sadness. No wonder Hill had supported his wife on the stairs. He was looking out for his growing family.
    The one that will replace mine and take the title from us if we don’t father our offspring first.
    Richard swallowed his bitter pill of resignation and went in search of a worthy distraction to dull the ache of wanting a son to follow after him.
    Maybe he should try the wishing tree at least once, just to be sure lack of faith, for want of a better term, wasn’t the only problem with him.

Three

    Esme searched the remaining public rooms for Meriwether, but she found no sign of him. Disappointed and more than a bit put out from the fruitless chase, she retraced her steps to the ballroom and mingled with the crowd while admiring the dancers twirling beneath Windermere’s triple chandeliers.
    Although asked more than once to take a turn upon the floor, she declined the invitations. She wasn’t in the mood for that kind of dancing. She’d much rather do something more intimate and invigorating and in private with her lover.
    She huffed out a breath. If he could be persuaded to stay by my side long enough.
    Her favorite footman in Lord Windermere’s employ, a young brother to her indispensible Penny, appeared and presented her with a glass of blessedly cold champagne.
    “Thank you, Pip,” she murmured as she gratefully sipped her drink. “Did you manage to spend any time with your sister yet?”
    “Not much, my lady,” he whispered back.
    The preparations for tonight’s ball generally involved all the staff and allowed little time for any servant to stand around idly chatting, even to a member of their own family. Pip and Penny Bradshaw were all the family they had, and they’d been apart a year. “Tomorrow will be easier for Penny. I will sleep late so you’ll have ample time to catch up in the morning.”
    “You’re very generous, my lady.”
    She winked. “Anything to prevent your sister sighing so loudly when she misses you when we leave again. Anyone would think you’d gone off to war instead of gaining a position in a beautiful country estate like this.”
    He smothered a laugh, for he knew his sister’s habit of wild exaggeration all too well, and then turned away to continue serving the guests champagne.
    Esme was very proud of how the young man had turned out. Pip had spent a few months in her home under the tutelage of her senior staff, acquiring the polish to gain himself a better position than she could offer. He’d been successful in winning over Windermere’s staff and gained employment as a footman, but she knew his ambition was for a butler’s position to make his sister proud.
    Esme made her way to Lady Small’s side, where she stood alone, clapping along as a dance ended. “Quite the gathering, isn’t it, my dear? Did you by chance notice where Harriet went? I have not seen her for a while.”
    Lady Small’s expression was one of sour disapproval. “I expect she is entertaining Lord Avery Hill in his bedchamber by now.”
    More than likely. “You disapprove?”
    “Indeed I do.” Lady Small shivered. “Do you know what that man dared suggest to me? I’m in utter shock still.”
    Lord Avery Hill had a penchant for speaking bluntly of his sexual adventures and appetite. Some women liked that sort of thing, others not so much. “That often happens when one speaks to him for the first time,” Esme informed her in all seriousness. “Consider it a test of character. I’m sure he will not be so brazen again.”
    “It’s scandalous,” Lady Small hissed. “And to suggest a dalliance with someone else in the room too.”
    Ah, he’d suggested a ménage a trois. “Each to their own.” Esme shrugged. “Don’t make up your mind that you won’t like something until you’ve at least tried it once.”
    Lady Small stared at her in shock. “I don’t think so.”
    “You might be