Too Scandalous to Wed Read Online Free

Henrietta was apt to get brushed aside—violently.
    The reckless minx!
    Sebastian wove through the throng of dancers, tamping the alarm that had sprouted in his breast. He reached the terrace edge—and stilled.
    As expected, the bounder and fair-haired nymph were locked in an amorous embrace, but what was not expected was the innocent Miss Ashby’s apparent fascination with the couple.
    Sebastian moved to the shadows, behind a bush. Well hidden, he observed Henrietta fanning herself with her mask, gazing in awe at the groping couple.
    Why, the naughty little vixen. He’d never pegged Henrietta for a voyeur. And when he heard her longing voice—“I’d give my baby toe to be kissed like that”—he couldn’t help but smile.
    After a few quarrelsome words with the bounder—and another fiery kiss—the fair-haired nymph relinquished the blunt.
    Ah, so that’s what Henrietta had needed the money for, to give to her friend. But the fair-haired nymph didn’t need the blunt anymore. It was returned to Henrietta. It looked liked the quarrelling lovers had reconciled, for the couple absconded to the garden edge just then, disappearing from sight.
    Only Henrietta’s cry, “Bye, Belle! Let me know how it all works out,” was heard, followed by a sigh. “Oh, how romantic!”
    Sebastian couldn’t resist. He stepped out of the shadows and approached the quixotic chit.
     
    “Is it romantic?”
    Henrietta started and whirled around. Drat! He was upon her again. And again at the most importune time. First he’d cornered her in the library. Now he’d trapped her on the terrace…while she was gushing very private reflections.
    Oh dear, how much had he overheard?
    She lifted her nose a notch in feigned confidence, all the while trying to keep her knees from quivering. “Yes, Sebastian, it is very romantic.”
    “To be carted off like a sheep at auction?”
    She gasped. “No! To be whisked away in a moment of passion.”
    He cocked an amused black brow.
    Oh, did he have to be so sinfully handsome? Did he have to make her breath catch and her mind go blank and her heart roar in her ears?
    “So what would you consider to be romantic?” she said.
    He shrugged. “Did I say I was romantic?”
    “You flirt with every skirt.” Apart from me , she thought sourly.
    “About the weather, Miss Ashby. I love to talk about the weather.”
    Henrietta bunched her fists. Did he think to make her think ill of him with that paltry fib? Convince her he was a dull sort and not worthy of her affection?
    She withheld a snort. Well, he’d have to do better than that. She was much too determined to have him as her husband to heed his constant—and misguided—attempts at sabotage. She knew the man’s true feelings, even if he was too mulish to admit them.
    It was a good thing Henrietta had such a headstrong disposition. She was fated to be with Sebastian. And one day, the man was going to thank her for her unwavering fidelity…though perhaps not today.
    “Never mind,” she said, rather irritably. “You would never understand.”
    “You’re right…and I certainly wouldn’t give my baby toe for something so scandalous as a kiss.”
    Humor glittered in the dark blue pools of his seductive eyes before he bowed and swaggered back into the ballroom.
    Heavens, he had heard her girlish confession! Henrietta didn’t know whether to perish from shame or clock the scoundrel over the head for his impudence.
    Insufferable rogue! Why couldn’t she have set her cap for a more amiable gentleman?
    Because only Ravenswood makes your heart pinch in expectation of a touch…a kiss.
    She sighed. It was so true. Only Ravenswood disturbed her dreams and ruffled her temper and made her want to do the most inappropriate things to capture his attention.
    And yet, everything she had done to make an impression on the rogue had failed. What was she going to do to get the viscount to admit his true feelings for her?
    Henrietta pressed her lips together, deep