To Seduce a Bride by Nicole Jordan Page A

allowed anything untoward to befall Miss Loring while she is dwelling under this roof.”
    â€œI assure you my intentions toward her are entirely honorable. I wish to court her.”
    Fleur blinked in surprise. “You want to court her? So you can
wed
her?”
    Claybourne glanced at Lily, his eyes assessing her with a tinge of knowing mirth. “Well…perhaps ‘wed’ is premature, since she professes to be so set against marriage, but I hope for the opportunity to determine if we might make a good match.”
    â€œMy heavens,” Fleur said with a mix of wonderment and delight. “That does change things, my lord.”
    â€œI thought it might,” he murmured under his breath, so low that only Lily heard him. To Fleur, he said aloud, “I would like to solicit your assistance, if I may. Miss Loring insists on eluding my attempts even to speak to her, but if you would be so kind, you could convince her to at least entertain the idea of my suit.”
    In disbelief, Lily stared at the marquess. The nerve of him, using her friends against her.
    Fleur, on the other hand, gave him a fond smile. “Yes, indeed, Lord Claybourne. I would be pleased to help. Shall we repair to my sitting room to discuss the matter?”
    â€œFleur,” Lily said in exasperation as the elder woman turned to leave the bedchamber. “There is nothing to discuss.”
    â€œCertainly there is, darling. I mean to satisfy my curiosity if nothing else.”
    Lily’s continued protests fell on deaf ears. Thus, when the marquess accompanied Fleur from the room and down the corridor, Lily trailed after them, not trusting what he might say behind her back.
    Fleur chatted graciously with him as she led him down a flight of stairs to the elegant second-floor sitting room she and Chantel claimed for their own. Chantel was lounging on a settee, reading a volume of poetry, but she perked up when she spied their caller. It was rare these days that she received visitors, especially a nobleman so handsome and distinguished as Lord Claybourne.
    Chantel flushed becomingly when he bent over her hand to kiss her fingers lightly, but her blue eyes widened when Fleur repeated what he’d told her about wishing to begin a courtship.
    â€œYou are a sly puss,” Chantel chided Lily. “You never told us you have a noble suitor.”
    â€œBecause it isn’t true,” she insisted.
    â€œBut I hope to make it true,” Claybourne said mildly.
    â€œSo your intentions are genuinely honorable, my lord?” Fleur asked.
    â€œCompletely.”
    â€œThen do please sit down and tell us why you might wish to wed Lily.”
    He didn’t take the seat he was offered, however, since Lily resolutely remained standing. But he did explain some of his motivation.
    â€œTo begin with, I have never met anyone quite like Miss Loring. I last saw her a full month ago but I couldn’t forget her.”
    To her chagrin, Lily found herself flushing. She had not been able to forget Lord Claybourne either, but she hoped he wouldn’t divulge the reason—because he was her first romantic tryst.
    Fortunately Fleur spoke before he could expound. “Even so, marriage is a serious step, my lord.”
    â€œIndeed,” he murmured, his tone wry. “The avowed bachelor in me is trembling. But since my good friend Danvers recently wed Miss Loring’s eldest sister, I’m willing to view the marriage noose with more favor. And of course I will need heirs eventually. But the chief reason I am interested in her is that I think we might make a good match.”
    Lily grimaced, not caring for the way they were discussing her as if she wasn’t even present. It was time for her to put an end to this foolishness. “You are obviously lacking in discernment, Lord Claybourne. I would make you an utterly unsuitable wife.”
    He shifted his gaze to her. “How so?”
    â€œThere are numerous