Tis the Season to Be Sinful Read Online Free Page B

it did, Juliet could not bring herself to fault his logic. Highgrove was a splendid property. Once renovated, it would be truly magnificent. Anyone with taste, refinement, and funds would obviously be interested in owning it.
    Juliet slowly shook her head. “The estate is not for sale.”
    “You haven’t even heard my offer, Mrs. Wentworth,” he chided softly, his voice taking on a silky, seductive edge. A peculiar warmth curled deep within her at the sound. “I’ll pay you three thousand pounds over the appraised value of the estate. Today.”
    The bottom dropped out of Juliet’s stomach. It was a fortune. Even taking into account the liens against the property, she would walk away with a tidy sum. Yet by doing so, she would sacrifice Edward’s inheritance. What a bizarre, cruel turn of events!
    Mr. Fowler edged to her side, drawing her away from Mr. Harper. Juliet followed him blindly, her mind still spinning. “I know you did not intend to sell, but the price is more than fair,” the land agent said.
    “Is it?” Juliet lowered her voice to a whisper. “If I hold out, I could get a higher price. Or additional offers from other potential buyers.”
    Mr. Fowler shook his head. “I think we both know that is very unlikely. Men of Mr. Harper’s means do not come here often in search of property.”
    “But there might be others,” Juliet insisted.
    “There might, in time.” Mr. Fowler agreed, though his voice was skeptical. “A very long time. Can you afford to wait?”
    Juliet barely blushed. There was no point in being embarrassed. It was a small community—everyone was well aware of her strained financial circumstances. Heavens, even Mr. Harper knew of the mortgages.
    Still, she could not allow the property to be sold without a fight. The only way she could possibly live with the decision was knowing she had struck the best bargain, especially against such a formidable opponent as this brash American.
    Jutting out her chin, she walked back to him. “The estate is my older son’s legacy. It has been passed down through my late husband’s family for generations. Regretfully, it is not for sale.”
    “Nonsense, Mrs. Wentworth. If I have learned one thing over the years, it is that everything has a price. Please, name yours.”
    His forthright manner might have been annoying if not for the charming way he smiled. And while the sight of that toothsome grin made her remember she was a lonely woman far too long without a man in her bed, Juliet was too wise to let that influence her in any way.
    There was also a small part of her that wanted to calmly announce that there were some things that simply could not be bought. Alas, circumstances determined those words would never be spoken.
    “I fear you will be shocked at hearing my price, Mr. Harper,” Juliet announced, stalling for time.
    “Try me.”
    Numbers rumbled through her head, figures so outrageously high they made her dizzy. The idea of being debt free was heady stuff, indeed, but it would come at a great cost. Forsaking Edward’s heritage was not a decision to be made lightly or impulsively.
    You could always marry me and get use of the house as part of the marriage settlement. That is an even more intriguing way to solve both our problems quite neatly, is it not?
    The ridiculous thought popped into Juliet’s head and she smiled softly at the absurd idea of marrying this imposing stranger. Oh, the idea of a second marriage was not an unexplored topic in her mind, but with no eligible prospects in sight, it was a thought that by necessity was always quickly shelved.
    The room went quiet. Uncomfortably quiet. Juliet felt the keen scrutiny of all three men, noting the bemused expression on Mr. Harper’s face, the wide-eyed gaze of near horror on his secretary, the appalled look of embarrassment in Mr. Fowler’s eyes.
    The blood drained from her face. Good Lord, she had not simply thought the words, had she? She had actually spoken them