The Seduction of Sarah Marks by Kathleen Bittner Roth Page A

perspective. Like the gardens outside, everything in here was balanced to perfection. The white background of the wallpaper lent the room a sense of airy springtime. And if it weren’t for the soft blue of the counterpane, the bulky four-poster would have overwhelmed all else. So, he’d plucked the lovely, soft color off the breasts of those small birds dotting the wallpaper, and used it as accents, right down to the velvet chaise in the corner, the bench she sat upon, and the curtains covering the double doors leading to the balcony. “Amazing.”
    Tildy nodded and smiled at Sarah through the mirror. “Did it while he healed. No one knew he had it in him.”
    When Tildy finished the toilette, Sarah stood to make her exit. The maid swung the door open, and Sarah paused at the cacophony drifting up from below. There went her nerves. “Would you ready a walking dress for me should I feel a need to escape the Malvern frivolity?”
    Tildy giggled. “Indeed, Miss Marks.”
    Sarah made her way down the stairs and stepped into the noisy parlor, the taste of Eastleigh’s kiss still embarrassingly fresh on her lips. Every head turned her way, and conversation ceased. They were a beautiful and handsome lot, five men and three ladies. No…wait…didn’t Eastleigh say there were four brothers and four sisters? It only took seconds to pick out Lady Willamette, or Will, as he’d called her. She stood amongst the men, her hair in a like-style and dressed in men’s clothing.
    Eastleigh stepped to Sarah’s side, but before he could speak, Doctor Hemphill came forward. “I’d like to introduce you to Mum’s ward, Miss Sarah Marks, he said.
    She worked up the courage to speak. “I’m terribly sorry to be late. I was in the garden tending the flowers. I do so love them.” Oh, dear. They simply stared. What did they know about her? Had Mum told them of her amnesia? Had Eastleigh?
    Lady Willamette scowled and made a beeline for Sarah, her long, panted legs swallowing up the carpet. “What did you say her name was?”
    Sarah stiffened. She could darn well speak for herself. “I’m Miss Sarah Marks, and I take it you are Lady Willamette?”
    Eastleigh frowned and took a step closer to Sarah. “What the devil, Will? Don’t start with your incessant pestering.”
    Will ignored Eastleigh’s order. “You are partial to flowers, are you, Miss Marks? I’m rather proud of mine. Read every book I can get my hands on regarding the art of the English garden. Do you read as well?”
    A bit of panic rose in Sarah’s throat at Will’s aggressiveness. She looked to Eastleigh.
    “I’ve told them of your accident and loss of memory.” He turned to his sister. “Go easy on her, Will.”
    Sarah tried to relax, but something made her wary of Eastleigh’s sister. Relief swept through her when he escorted her around the room and introduced her to the others. Ridley, a year younger than Eastleigh, was as tall and quite handsome, as were the lot of them.
    “How are you getting along with Mum?” Ridley grinned. Unlike Eastleigh, his front teeth were even and unbroken, but not so, his nose. That had taken a beating at some point in his life, for there was a decided hitch near the bridge. Thomas stepped forward, friendly and full of easy laughter. But when it came to Sebastian, youngest of the four, he was wildly flirtatious, the kiss he settled on the back of Sarah’s hand far too lengthy. She thought it rather humorous that Eastleigh stepped between them and waltzed her over to visit with Lily, Rose, and Iris.
    Will sat in a settee with her attention focused on Sarah all the while, a glass of champagne dangling between her fingers.
    Each of Eastleigh’s brothers and sisters took a turn in conversation, one trying to outdo the other with wild tales of their youth. She thanked Rose for the use of her clothing and made the rounds until, reluctantly, she came face to face with Will once more.
    Will patted the settee beside her. “Come,