Tis the Season to Be Sinful Read Online Free

them. She sorted quickly through a stack, making her selection, then suddenly froze in surprise.
    Voices! Muffled, yet distinctly male. She raised her eyes to the ceiling, trying to ascertain precisely where the sounds were originating. Were there still servants in the house? But they were supposed to have finished their cleaning yesterday. Perhaps they had found something wrong and returned today to fix it?
    Knowing she had to investigate, Juliet slowly released her grip on the basket. Leaving it on the shelf, she turned and began climbing the back staircase, pocketing the scissors as she ascended. After a brief hesitation on the landing, she took a deep breath, then moved quietly through the hallway, ears attune.
    The sudden sound of rich masculine laughter startled her. It was coming from the study! Without giving it another thought, Juliet marched over and flung the already ajar door wide open. It rattled on its hinges and would have banged loudly against the door frame had she not been gripping the brass handle so tightly.
    The two men seated before the fireplace turned at her entrance, abruptly ceasing their conversation. Mouths agape, the pair stared at her in stunned silence. As it was, Juliet was equally shocked, but she recovered her voice first.
    “Who the devil are the two of you? And how in heaven’s name did you get in here?” Her breast heaved with indignation, and a dash of fear, yet she could not hold her tongue. “And where in the world did you find the nerve to make yourselves so darn comfortable in my house?”

Chapter 2
    The room went deathly silent as the two men exchanged astonished glances. There was a scuffling noise in the corner, and to her dismay, Juliet realized there was a third individual in the room. Hardly knowing what to expect, she craned her neck forward and met the stunned gaze of her land agent.
    Biting the inside of her cheek, Juliet managed to stifle a screech.
    “Mrs. Wentworth!” Mr. Fowler exclaimed as he rushed to her side.
    Juliet blinked. She felt slightly dizzy, as if the air in the room had suddenly been cut off. “What are you doing here?” she asked breathlessly. “I thought you were coming tomorrow to show the manor.”
    Looking somewhat chastened, the land agent lowered his head, along with his voice. “I know how anxious you are about leasing the property. That is why I did not inform you of the change in plans. I was hoping I’d be able to bring you good news after Mr. Harper viewed the estate this afternoon.” Mr. Fowler lowered his voice further. “I’m happy to report that he has shown great interest in the property. Great interest.”
    Juliet quashed a groan. The first nibble in nearly a year and her blistering rant had most likely put the deal in jeopardy. Surely Mr. Harper’s interest in the property would wane considerably after her scathing outburst. And honestly, who could blame him? What man would welcome a hysterical female as a landlady and neighbor?
    “Pray, introduce us, Mr. Fowler,” Juliet whispered, disheartened, but not yet ready to give up.
    “Yes, yes, that might help,” the land agent sputtered. “Mrs. Wentworth, may I present Mr. Richard Harper and his secretary, Mr. Barclay.”
    The two men rose to their feet. Juliet had no difficulty identifying which man was Mr. Harper, her potential tenant. The cut of his expensive wool suit as well as his air of confidence made him easy to distinguish from his employee. He was the elder of the pair, not young though not quite middle-aged. He was also strikingly handsome.
    Juliet smiled. Mr. Harper did not. Oh, dear.
    Her hand went nervously to the wisps of hair at the nape of her neck, and she began twirling the strands around her finger. In silence, she studied Mr. Harper. He possessed a chiseled jaw, straight nose, high cheekbones, dark, wavy hair with a touch of silver at the temples, and eyes of such deep, intense blue she could not help staring at them. They were framed by sinfully long,