THE NAKED MARQUIS By

Sally MacKenzie

ZEBRA BOOKS are published by Kensington Publishing Corp. 850 hird A!enue "e# $or%& "$ '00(( Copyright ) (00* by Sally +a,Ken-ie All rights reser!ed. "o part o. this boo% /ay be reprodu,ed in any .or/ or by any /eans #ithout the prior #ritten ,onsent o. the Publisher& e0,epting brie. 1uotes used in re!ie#s. All Kensington titles& i/prints& and distributed lines are a!ailable at spe,ial 1uantity dis,ounts .or bul% pur,hases .or sales pro/otion& pre/iu/s& .und2raising& edu,ational& or institutional use. Spe,ial boo% e0,erpts or ,usto/i-ed printings ,an also be ,reated to .it spe,i.i, needs. 3or details& #rite or phone the o..i,e o. the Kensington Spe,ial Sales +anager4 Attn. Spe,ial Sales 5epart/ent. Kensington Publishing Corp.& 850 hird A!enue& "e# $or%& "$ '00((. Phone4 '28002(('2(*67. Zebra and the Z logo Reg. 8.S. Pat. 9 + O... :SB" 028('7278;(2; 3irst Printing4 +ar,h (00* C<S '0 = 8 7 * 5 6 ; ( ' Printed in the 8nited States o. A/eri,a

3or +o/ and 5ad& and Ke!in and the boys& o. ,ourse& and .or Ruth. And #ith than%s to Elin .or the ba,helor>s buttons.

Chapter 1
?hy the bloody hell did Paul ha!e to die@ +aAor Charles 5rays/ith stood on the broad gra!el dri!e& rain dripping do#n his ne,%& and stared at the i//ense sandstone .a,ade loo/ing be.ore hi/. Be did not #ant to go inside. Be had lingered in <ondon as long as he ,ould& /eeting #ith the soli,itor& #ith Paul>s ban%ers& ta%ing ,are o. all the details o. the su,,essionCand hating e!ery bloody /inute. E!ery Dyes& /y lordD tore another pie,e o. his li.e .ro/ hi/. han%s to an anony/ous :talian thie.& he #as no# the +ar1uis o. Knightsdale. A gust dren,hed his great,oat& sending /ore rain ,as,ading do#n his ne,%. Be ,ouldn>t stand out here .ore!er li%e a great looby. Aunt Bea #ould be along shortly #ith the ,arriages and her ser!ants and her o!er.ed ,at to prepare .or the house party. Eod. o/orro# a horde o. aristo,rati, young !irgins and their /a/as #ould des,end on Knightsdale. 5read ,la#ed at his gut& and his pal/s started to s#eat& Aust as they had be.ore e!ery battle he>d .ought on the Peninsula. Be #anted to turn and run. Be stepped .or#ard and banged on the door. DEood /orning& /y lord.D D:s it a good /orning& <a/bert@D Charles let the butler ta%e his #et hat and ,oat. :t had been ten years sin,e he>d last seen the /anCsin,e Paul>s #edding. <a/bert had ne# lines around his /outh and eyes& and his hair had thinned. 5oubtless the /an noted ,hanges in hi/ as #ell& Charles thought. Be>d barely been out o. uni!ersity #hen he>d last been ho/eF no# he #as thirty& aged by the blood and dirt o. #ar. DBa!e so/eone loo% a.ter /y horse& #ill you@D DCertainly& /y lord. :s <ady Beatri,e #ith you@D D"o& : rode on ahead. :C#hat is that ra,%et@D Charles s#ore he heard the ru/ble o. distant artillery. D: belie!e it is +iss Peterson& /y lord& #ith <ady :sabelle and <ady Claire.D D?hat the hell are they doing@D Charles started .or the stairs. he noise #as ,o/ing .ro/ one o. the upper .loors.

DS%ittles& /y lord. :n the long gallery.D S%ittles& Charles thought. Bo# ,an the girls be playing s%ittles@ hey>re only in.ants. Be heard another ru/ble and then shrie%ing. ?as so/eone hurt@ Be started running& ta%ing the stairs t#o at a ti/e. he long gallery& i. he re/e/bered ,orre,tly& had a nu/ber o. hea!y& /arble busts o. past 5rays/iths. :. one o. the/ .ell on a s/all ,hild . . . And #as that bar%ing@ A dog& too@ ?hate!er #as this +iss Peterson thin%ing@ Be had assu/ed "anny and the go!ernessC#as her na/e Peterson@ Be hadn>t thought so. Be #ould ha!e re/e/bered& surely& as that #as the !i,ar>s na/e. Be had assu/ed his young nie,es #ere in good hands. Apparently he had been /ista%en. ?ell& this +iss Peterson #ould shortly be .inding hersel. see%ing other e/ploy/ent. Be rea,hed the long gallery Aust in ti/e to see a s/all bla,% and #hite terrier ,rash into the pedestal that supported Ereat28n,le Randall>s bust.

E//a Peterson leapt to steady the statue Aust as a /an bello#ed .ro/ the stairs. he surprise o. hearing a /ale !oi,e al/ost ,aused her to %no,% o!er the ugly s,ulpture hersel.. Surely +r. <a/bert #ould not ha!e let a bedla/ite into the house@ D?hat the bloody hell do you thin% you are doing& #o/an& letting that ani/al run loose@ One o. your ,harges ,ould ha!e been ,rushed.D E//a sti..ened. ?ho #as this /an& to ,o/e here& ,ursing and ,riti,i-ing@ She pushed her spe,ta,les higher on her nose. 5id she %no# hi/@ Bis !oi,e sounded slightly .a/iliar. :. only he #ould ,o/e ,loser. ?hat #as she thin%ing@ She should be #ishing hi/ ba,% do#nstairs and out the door. Be #as not o!erly tall& but his broad shoulders and general air o. ,o//and indi,ated he #as used to getting his #ay. ?hat i. he pro!ed threatening@ :. she shouted& #ould anyone hear her in ti/e to ,o/e to her aid@ DPrinny didn>t /ean any har/& sir.D Bra!e :sabelle .a,ed their intruder #ith her narro# shoulders ba,%& though she did step ,loser to E//a. DCourse he didn>t /ean any har/.D <ittle Claire thre# her ar/s around Prinny>s ne,%. D$ou>re a good dog& aren>t you& Prinny@D Prinny bar%ed and li,%ed her .a,e. DPrinny@ Eood Eod& PrinnyG Be /ay be a good dog& /iss& but he doesn>t belong ra,ing around in here.D

DSir.D E//a #as pleased that her !oi,e did not #a!er or ,ra,%. She pulled hersel. up to her .ull& i. insigni.i,ant& height. DSir& : /ust as% you to lea!e. ://ediately.D D$ou /ust as% /e to lea!e@ +ada/& : shall be telling you to lea!e in no short order.D E//a s#allo#ed. <ud& he #as ,o/ing ,loser. D:sabelle& Claire& ,o/e here& darlings.D he /an stopped. D:sabelle and Claire@D D$es.D E//a raised her ,hin. Be #as ,lose enough .or her to see hi/ ,learly no#. Bis .a,e #as sun2dar%ened& his ,urly bro#n hair ,ut ruthlessly short. Be #as older& stronger& /ore assured than the /an she had last gli/psed .ro/ a distan,e at the late /ar1uis>s #edding& but she %ne# hi/. She ,ould ne!er .orget those eyesC,lear blue& li%e la%es& #ith dar% ri/s. Charles 5rays/ith& the boy she had idoli-ed and the /an she had sighed o!er& had returned to Knightsdale. D hese are /y nie,es@D Charles stared at the girls. he older oneC:sabelleCloo%ed to be about nine years old. She #as thin #ith straight& #ispy #hite2blond hair& high ,hee%bones& and Paul>s green eyes. he other one still had the plu/p ,ur!es o. babyhood& but she #as no longer an in.ant. She had his o#n #ildly ,urly hair. Claire& the little one& put her s/all .ists on her hipsC an a,tion he>d s#ear he>d seen "anny do ,ountless ti/es #hen he #as a boyCand Autted out her ,hin. DAre you a bad /an@D DClaireGD he #o/an .ro#ned. D3H his is your 8n,le Charles& the ne# +ar1uis o. Knightsdale.D Charles studied the go!erness. Bo# did she %no# #ho he #as@ ?ell& the ser!ants should ha!e been e0pe,ting hi/Che>d sent #ord that he and Aunt Bea #ere ,o/ingCso it #ouldn>t ha!e ta%en a genius to dedu,e his identity. But she had not %no#n #ho he #as at .irst or she #ould not ha!e ordered hi/ out o. the house. She had botto/& he>d grant her that. She>d stood her ground in the .a,e o. his bello#ing. +any an ar/y pri!ate had blan,hed #hen on the re,ei!ing end o. his te/per. She #as only a .e# in,hes taller than :sabelle& but she did not loo% at all ,hildli%e. "ot at all. Be Aer%ed his eyes higher to study her .a,e. 5ar% blond hair& the ,olor o. #ar/ honey and e!en ,urlier than hisF a sprin%ling o. .re,%lesF golden2bro#n eyes& .ringed #ith long& dar% lashes . . . DRunt@D Be s#allo#ed a sho,%ed laugh o. re,ognition. Surely this ,ould not be E//a Peterson& the !i,ar>s daughter& the s%inny little #ai. #ho used to .ollo# at his heels li%e a lost puppy@ he other boys had taunted hi/& but he hadn>t had the heart to turn her a#ay. D$our pardon. : /ean& +iss Peterson. Surely you are not the girls> go!erness@D

D"o& /y lord. he go!erness& +iss Bodge%iss& #as ,alled ho/e suddenly to ,are .or her si,% /other. : a/ /erely .illing in #hile she is gone.D A deli,ate .lush ,olored her ,hee%s. She did not /eet his eyes. Bis ga-e sharpened. Bis gut told hi/ +iss E//a Peterson still harbored a shred o. hero #orship .or hi/. :nteresting. She #as an attra,ti!e ar/.ul. Perhaps she #ould pro!e to be the solution to his proble/. ?hat i. he as%ed her to /arry hi/@ Be ,ould ,ertainly do #orse. :. he got her ,onsent be.ore the bloody house party& he #ouldn>t ha!e to spend the ne0t .e# days running be.ore the /atri/onial hounds. Charles .elt Claire tug on his slee!e. D+iss Bodge%iss is a.raid her /u/ /ight die.D Big bro#n eyes stared up at hi/. D+y /u/ died on a /ountain in :t2lee.D D:taly. $our /other and .ather died in the /ountains o. :taly.D Charles had to ,lear his throat. Be had ne!er /u,h li%ed Ce,ilia& Paul>s #i.e. Be>d thought her beauti.ul and shallo#& li%e so /any o. the so,iety /isses. Be tangled his .ingers in Claire>s ,urls and glan,ed at :sabelle. he girls did not loo% grie.2stri,%en. "ot surprising. 3ro/ #hat his .riends the 5u%e o. Al!ord and the Earl o. ?estbroo%e had said& Paul and Ce,ilia had not been doting parents. hey>d spent /ost o. their ti/e in <ondon or at so/eone else>s ,ountry estate. DAre you our papa no#@D DClaire& don>t be a ninnyGD :sabelle s,o#led. D8n,le Charles doesn>t #ant us. Be #ants his o#n .a/ily.D Charles heard +iss Peterson dra# in a sudden& sharp breath. Be& too& .elt as i. he>d been %i,%ed in the gut. rue& he hadn>t gi!en the girls /u,h thoughtChell& he>d thought they #ere still babes in ar/sCbut that #asn>t at all the sa/e as not #anting the/. D:>/ your un,le& :sabelle. $our papa>s brother. So you are /y .a/ily& and this is your ho/e. Claire is rightC: a/ li%e a .ather to you no#.D Be s/iled& seeing so/e o. the tension lea!e the older girl>s shoulders. Surely he ,ould be as /u,h a .ather to his nie,es as Paul had been. D ell /e about your dogCPrinny& did you ,all hi/@ Be doesn>t loo% /u,h li%e our Regent.D All Charles ,ould see o. the s/all #hite and bla,% dog #as its stubby tail and hind legs. he rest #as #edged bet#een the #all and Ereat28n,le Randall>s pedestal. DBey& sir& get a#ay .ro/ thereGD Prinny stopped s,rabbling at the base o. a pilaster& snee-ed& and padded o!er to in!estigate Charles>s boots.

DPrinny>s +iss Peterson>s dog& Papa.D DClaire& dear& <ord Knightsdale is your un,le& not your papa.D Claire>s lo#er lip stu,% out. DBut : don>t #ant an un,leC: #ant a papaGD Charles %nelt so his .a,e #as le!el #ith Claire>s. Be sa# the un,ertainty and .ear behind the stubbornness in her eyes. Be>d seen those e/otions in the eyes o. so /any ,hildren in Spain and Portugal. Claire #as the ,hild o. a #ealthy English .a/ily& but she #as still a ,hild. DSo/e people /ight get ,on.used i. you ,all /e Papa& <ady Claire. And it #ouldn>t be ni,e to .orget your o#n papa& #ould it@D Claire>s lo#er lip tre/bledF her s/all ar/s ,rossed tightly a,ross her ,hest. D: #ant a papa. ?hy ,an>t you be /y papa@ And +iss Peterson ,an be /y /a/a.D Charles .elt as i. he #ere teetering on the edge o. a pre,ipi,e. One .alse step and Claire #ould dissol!e in tears. D?hat i. you ,all /e 8n,le Charles in ,o/pany and Papa Charles in pri!ate@D D:n pri!ate@D D?hen it>s Aust you and :Cand :sabelle and +iss Peterson. ?ould that be a,,eptable@D Claire ,he#ed her botto/ lip& then grinned and thre# her ar/s around Charles>s ne,%. Bis ar/s ,a/e around her re.le0i!ely to %eep .ro/ being %no,%ed ba,%#ard. Claire>s s%in #as baby so.t. Ber ,urls ti,%led his Aa#. Ber breath& as she %issed his ,hee%& s/elled o. /il% and porridge. Be .elt an odd /elting sensation in his ,hest. D hat #ould be >,eptable& Papa Charles&D Claire said& be.ore she turned to hug Prinny. Ah& so he #as not so /u,h di..erent .ro/ the dog. ?ere all ,hildren so .ree #ith their a..e,tion@ Be glan,ed at :sabelle. "o& he thought not. D$ou /ay ,all /e Papa Charles& too& :sabelle& i. you>d li%e.D D: a/ nine& 8n,le. : a/ not a baby any/ore.D D"o& indeed.D Be #ished she #ere. Ber body #as too straight& too sti... She re/inded hi/ o. his young pri!ates be.ore their .irst battle. "ine #as too young to be all gro#n up. D5o you suppose : /ight borro# +iss Peterson .or a #hile@ : should li%e to ha!e a #ord #ith her.D

DO. ,ourse&D :sabelle said. +iss Peterson appeared to be suppressing a s/ile. Eood. Be de.initely #anted her .a!orably disposed to#ard hi/. D:sabelle& #ould you ta%e Claire ba,% up to the nursery@D >$es& +iss Peterson.D DCan #e ta%e Prinny #ith us& +a/a Peterson@D Charles bit his lip to %eep .ro/ laughing at +iss Peterson>s e0pression. She ,learly #as un,o/.ortable #ith Claire>s ne# na/e .or her but did not #ant to hurt the little girl>s .eelings. DAll right& as long as you /a%e sure he doesn>t annoy "anny.D DPrinny #ouldn>t >noy "anny& #ould you& Prinny@D he dog yapped t#i,e and li,%ed Claire>s .a,e. DSee& +a/a Peterson@ Prinny is a !ery s/art dog.D D$es& #ell& he ,an also be so/e#hat e0,itable.D D"anny li%es Prinny& +iss Peterson&D :sabelle said. DShe only pretends to be annoyed by hi/.D D: don>t thin% she #as pretending #hen he %no,%ed o!er the .lo#ers and soa%ed her dress& :sabelle.D DBut he didn>t /ean to do that.D Claire stro%ed Prinny>s ear. DBe Aust #anted to s/ell the big red rose.D DIust be ,ertain he stays a#ay .ro/ "anny>s .lo#ers this ti/e.D D$es& +iss Peterson& #e #ill. Co/e on& Claire.D Claire>s high !oi,e ,arried a,ross the gallery as she s%ipped to#ard the stairs. D: thin% Papa Charles #ill be a splendid papa& don>t you& :sabelle@ Be has !ery ni,e eyes and his hair is as ,urly as /ine.D Charles grinned& loo%ing do#n at E//a. Ber ,hee%s #ere .lushed. D: apologi-e& /y lord. Claire is still !ery young. :>/ sure her /anners #ill i/pro!e.D

DOh& :>/ not o..ended. +y hair is #ret,hedly ,urlyC/u,h li%e yours.D Be let his eyes #ander o!er her ,urls. She had tried to ta/e the/& pulling the/ ba,% o.. her .a,e& but a nu/ber had es,aped. Ber blush deepened in a /ost attra,ti!e /anner. DAnd : ,annot obAe,t to ha!ing ni,e eyesCdo you thin% the/ ni,e& +iss Peterson@D D+y lordGD Ber .a,e turned an e!en brighter red. Be s/iled& o..ering her his ar/. DShall #e repair to the study@ : #ould appre,iate your telling /e about /y nie,es. As you /ay ha!e guessed& :>!e not %ept up #ith their li!es.D She hesitated& then laid her .ingers on his slee!e. hey tre/bled slightly& and he put his hand up to ,o!er the/. hey #ere so s/all& so deli,ate. She had not stru,% hi/ as deli,ate #hen she #as a ,hildCshe>d been struggling so hard to %eep up #ith hi/ and his .riends& he supposed. But she #as not a ,hild any longer. Bis eyes slid o!er to ,onte/plate her boso/. "o& not at all. And her lo!ely breasts ,ertainly #ere not s/all& though he>d #ager they #ere e01uisite. A dele,table hand.ul& though ,o!ered by a !ery boring .ro,% at the /o/ent. Bis .ingers it,hed to loosen her buttons and re!eal the #onders she #as hiding. Sudden lust /ade a part o. hi/& ne!er s/all& gro# signi.i,antly larger. Be a!erted his eyes and repressed a s/ile. Bis .uture suddenly loo%ed /u,h brighter. E//a #al%ed #ith Charles do#n the stairs to the study. Ber e/otions #ere disordered. She had been angry and .rightened #hen he had burst upon the/& but on,e she had ,o/prehended #ho he #as . . . #ell& she didn>t %no# #hat she .elt. She should still be angry. She had been angry these past .our /onths #hen he had .ailed to /a%e the short trip .ro/ <ondon to !isit his nie,es. "ot that the girls had /issed hi/ Cthey #ere used to negle,t& /ore>s the pity. But E//a ad/itted to hersel. as she #al%ed do#n the long stair,ase that she had been disappointed in hi/. Oh& he had ,o/e brie.ly& .or Aust a hand.ul o. hours& #hen the /ar1uis and /ar,hioness #ere laid in the .a/ily !ault. But he had hurried ba,% to <ondon be.ore the last prayer had .aded& and he had not !isited sin,e. ?hy@ ?hat had happened to the /an@ Bad the #ar ,hanged hi/ so drasti,ally@ Surely the boy she>d %no#n #ould not ha!e ignored his nie,es in su,h a /anner. She re/e/bered the day she>d /et hi/. Re/e/bered@ <udG She treasured the /e/ory& re,alling it #hene!er she .elt lonely or sad or dis,ouraged. She had been si0 years old. Ber .ather had Aust ta%en the Knightsdale li!ing& and she /issed her old house& her old play/ates& e!erything .a/iliar. <oneliness #as a throbbing a,he in her /iddle. She>d .ound a ni,e log by the strea/ that ran though the #oods near

the !i,arage& and had settled do#n to ,ry until she had no tears le.t. But ,rying only /ade her sto/a,ha,he #orse. And then Charles had ,o/e #histling into her #orld. She>d heard hi/ be.ore she sa# hi/. She #ould ha!e hidden a#ay& but she #as too e0hausted .ro/ her tears. Be>d stopped in .ront o. her and put his hands on his hips. Be #as only .our years older than she& a s%inny boy #ith ,urly bro#n hair& but he had see/ed li%e a god in the #ood>s still& lea.2si.ted sunlight. Be had /ade a noise o. disgust and then had pulled a grubby hand%er,hie. out o. his po,%et. Bu,% up& he>d said as he>d s,rubbed her .a,e. Stop blubbering. $ou don>t #ant e!eryone to thin% you>re a baby& do you@ Co/e on& you ,an help /e loo% .or sala/anders. She had .allen in lo!e then& and she had ne!er 1uite .allen out. She loo%ed do#n at his hand #here it ,o!ered hers. Be #as not #earing glo!esCnor #as she. he #ar/th and #eight o. his pal/ and the tou,h o. his strong& slightly ,allused .ingers did odd things to her breathing. She had the sho,%ing urge to turn her hand and #ea!e her s/aller .ingers #ith his. Be #as beyond her tou,h. She %ne# it. She had al#ays %no#n it& e!en #hen she had stared at hi/ in the #oods t#enty years ago. Be had been the son and brother o. a /ar1uisCno# he #as the /ar1uis& and she #as Aust the !i,ar>s daughter& as ,o//on as a butter,up in the Knightsdale .ields. Still& she had tagged a.ter hi/ li%e a puppy& happy .or so/e s,rap o. attention. ?hen he>d le.t .or s,hool& she had ,ried againCand again the tears had not helped the e/pty a,he in her /iddle. And then her /other had died and she>d had her sister& +eg& and her .ather to ,are .or. "o ti/e .or silly ro/anti, drea/s. She glan,ed at Charles>s pro.ile as they rea,hed the entran,e hall. "o ti/e& perhaps& nor sense in it& but she had drea/ed any#ay. She>d been si0teen #hen he>d last been ho/e. "ot yet out. oo young to be in!ited to his brother>s #edding ball& but not too young to desperately #ant to attend and perhaps dan,e #ith Charles. She had done the /ost daring thingCthe only daring thingCo. her li.e. She had slipped out her #indo#& through the #oods& and up to the terra,e. She>d hidden in the shado#s& #at,hing the /en in their #hite linen and bla,% e!ening#ear& the #o/en in their Ae#els and ,olor.ul dresses. She had seen Charles ,o/e out onto the terra,e #ith a <ondon lady. E//a had stared at the #o/an. Ber dress had ,lung to e!ery ,ur!e and dipped pre,ariously lo# o!er her .ull

breasts. She>d been a/a-ingly& sho,%ingly beauti.ul. And then Charles had ta%en the lady in his ar/s and %issed her& his hands roa/ing .reely o!er her body. :t had /ade E//a .eel !ery oddCbreathless and un,o/.ortable. E/barrassed and #i,%ed and . . . .luttery and hot. She had hurried ba,% to the !i,arage as i. Satan hi/sel. #ere a.ter her. She>d seen that %iss in her drea/s a thousand ti/es& but in her drea/s& she #as the #o/an in Charles>s ar/s. ?ell& she should be ,ured o. that a..li,tion no#. She too% her hand o.. his ar/ as they entered the study. he ser!ants did their best& but the roo/ still s/elled o. old .ires and dust. :t had been /ore than a year sin,e the /ar1uisCthe .or/er /ar1uisChad !isited the estate. D+iss Peterson& : apologi-e i. : startled you Aust no#.D Charles gestured .or her to ta%e a seat by the .ire. She pre.erred to re/ain standing& .or,ing hi/ to stand as #ell. Be thre# her a pu--led glan,e. E//a gripped her hands be.ore her. D+y lord& it has been .our /onths sin,e your brother and his #i.e died& lea!ing your nie,es orphans. ?hy ha!e you ta%en so long to ,o/e ho/e@D Charles shrugged one shoulder. DBo/e@D Bis /outh tensed and he loo%ed do#n at the des%. ?hen he loo%ed ba,% up& his .a,e #as e/otionless. D he girls #ere in good hands. : spo%e to your .ather at the .uneral. "anny #as here and the go!erness as #ell. ?hy #ould they ,are to see an un,le #ho #as a stranger to the/@ And : truly thought they #ere still in.ants.D DBo# ,ould you ha!e thought that@ :sabelle is nine years old and Claire is .our.D D: #as only t#enty2one& a young /an on the o#n& #hen Paul had his .irst ,hild. Beyond the disappoint/ent that he had not /anaged to get an heir& : didn>t thin% /u,h o. it. And then : #ent to #ar. he little oneCClaireC#asn>t born #hen : le.t .or the Peninsula.D DAnd do you intend to lea!e the/ again& no# that you>!e seen the/@D E//a ,ould see .ro/ his e0pression that #as e0a,tly #hat he had intended. D$ou ,an>t& /y lordG he girls ha!e li!ed long enough in the ,are o. ser!ants. hey need a relati!e in the house. $ou heard ho# /u,h Claire #ants a papaG :sabelle& too& though she is too reser!ed to say so.D DAnd #hat about a /a/a& +iss Peterson@ Surely the girls need a /a/a as /u,h& or /ore& than they need a papa@D

D?ell& o. ,ourse they need a /a/a& but there>s no one a!ailable at the /o/ent to .ill that position.D D"o@D Charles grinned suddenly. DBo# about you@D E//a .elt as i. all the air had been su,%ed out o. her lungs. Charles bit the inside o. his ,hee% to %eep .ro/ laughing. +iss Peterson>s Aa# had dropped li%e a ro,%. D:t>s the per.e,t solution& #hen you thin% o. it& +iss Peterson. he girls need a /other& as you yoursel. ha!e pointed out. hey %no# you and li%e youCand you li!e nearby& so you>ll ha!e the ,o/.ort o. your o#n .a/ily at hand.D And : .ind the notion o. bedding you distin,tly appealing. Charles s/iled& trying to i/agine ho# +iss Peterson #ould rea,t to that state/ent. But it #as true. Be hadn>t thought o. her in years& yet to see her no#& to ha!e her standing Aust in,hes .ro/ hi/ . . . Perhaps it #as the ,ontrastChis /e/ories o. her as a little girl #ith her !ery gro#n2up .igure. ?hate!er it #as& it #as distin,tly eroti,. Be shi.ted position& turning a#ay .ro/ her slightly to hide his rea,tion. :t #as the per.e,t solution to his proble/. "either o. the/ #ould be in,on!enien,ed. :t #as not as i. he had to spend a !ast 1uantity o. ti/e #ith her. Be had no desire to li!e at Knightsdale. Be>d .ind so/ething use.ul to do in o#n and Aust ,o/e do#n .ro/ ti/e to ti/e to #or% on his responsibility to sire an heir. $es& he>d ,o/e do#n to ta%e her to bed. o strip that ugly .ro,% o.. her lo!ely body. o bury his .a,e in her so.t& shapely breasts. o . . . Be turned abruptly to the des%. Bis bree,hes #ere getting distin,tly un,o/.ortable. D?hat ,ould be better& +iss Peterson@ $ou don>t ha!e a beau& do you@D D?ell& no& but. . .D DAnd pardon /e .or saying so& but you are a bit past the usual age .or /arriage& are you not@ As : re/e/ber& you are t#enty2si0& .our years younger than :.D D$es. . .D Charles glan,ed at her& noting her heightened ,olor and hea!ing boso/. Espe,ially her hea!ing boso/. Be Aer%ed his eyes up to /eet hers. Behind her spe,ta,les& gold spar%s s/oldered under deeply .urro#ed bro#s.

Perhaps he should not ha!e pointed out that she #as .ir/ly on the shel.& but surely it /ust be a .a,tor in her de,ision. :t #as unli%ely she #ould ha!e a better o..erCor indeed& any other o..er. D: don>t intend to be in your #ay& you %no#. :>ll spend /ost o. /y ti/e in o#n. $ou>ll only ha!e to put up #ith /y o,,asional !isits.D D?hy bother to !isit at all@ $ou>!e been able to %eep yoursel. a#ay all these years.D Charles ,oughed into his hand. Surely she sa# the ob!ious@ Be loo%ed at her again. Ber ar/s #ere tightly ,rossed under her glorious breasts. She li.ted one o. her bro#s. Bo# ,ould he not ha!e noti,ed be.ore ho# delight.ully they .le# up at one end@ Or ho# %issable her /outh #as& e!en dra#n into a tight line as it #as no#. ?ould it so.ten i. he put his lips o!er it@ D here is the /atter o. an heir.D D?hat@D Both eyebro#s .le# up and then sla//ed ba,% do#n. D?hat do you /ean& e0a,tly@D he i,e in her #ords #as an interesting ,ounterpoint to the .ire in her eyes. Charles reali-ed retreat #as probably ad!isable& but he had gone too .ar into ene/y territory. Be had to bra-en it out no#. DAn heir. :>ll need one& no# that : a/ the /ar1uis. And : ,an>t !ery #ell get one i. :>/ in <ondon and /y #i.e>s in Kent& ,an :@D Be du,%ed as a s/all ,hina dog .le# by his ear and shattered on the study door.

Chapter 2
DA/ : interrupting@D hree orange plu/es po%ed ,autiously around the door& .ollo#ed by gray sausage ringlets and a !ery round .a,e #ith Charles>s ,lear blue eyes. D"ot at all& Aunt Bea. Please ,o/e in.D E//a blin%ed and adAusted her spe,ta,les& her ha-e o. anger repla,ed by an e1ually .iery sightCthe rotund .or/ o. Charles>s Aunt Beatri,e& stunningly attired in a dress o. broad red and orange stripes& its ne,% ,ut so lo# E//a .eared the #o/an>s si-able breasts #ould es,ape the ,on.ines o. her bodi,e. A ne,%la,e o. dia/onds and rubies glittered on the !ast e0panse o. her ,hest. DAre you going to introdu,e /e to your ,o/panion& Charles@D <ady Beatri,e pushed aside the ,hina .rag/ents #ith her .oot and raised her lorgnette. #o enlarged eyes inspe,ted E//a. DCertainly& Aunt. his is +iss E//a Peterson& the !i,ar>s daughter. +iss Peterson& /y aunt& <ady Beatri,e.D D<ady Beatri,e.D E//a ,urtsied. D:>/ pleased toCohGD E//a gasped and Au/ped to one side. So/ething had brushed her an%le. <ady Beatri,e laughed& a ri,h& /usi,al sound that see/ed to ,o/e .ro/ deep inside her. D5on>t be distressed& /y dear. :t>s only Jueen Bess.D A large orange ,at leapt onto the ,hair by E//a and ,urled up to .ill the seat. :t loo%ed li%e an o!ersi-ed /u..Can angry& o!ersi-ed /u..& E//a thought& noting ho# the ,at glared at her be.ore turning to ,lean her pa#s. Charles laughed. D:>/ not ,ertain Prinny #ill appro!e o. the 1ueen& Aunt.D D5on>t tell /e you>!e in!ited that .at .ool& Charles. Be /ost de.initely #as not on /y guest list.D D"or is he on /ine. "o& : /ean +iss Peterson>s dog.D D$ou ha!e a dog na/ed Prinny& +iss Peterson@ SplendidGD DBe>s a,tually /y sister>s dog& <ady Beatri,e.D

DAh. ?ell& then& : loo% .or#ard to /eeting your sister.D <ady Beatri,e /o!ed .arther into the roo/. D:s there a reason #e are standing& Charles@ So/e in.estation in the .urniture& perhaps@ "ot li,e& : hope@ Or .leas@ Poor Bess does hate .leas.D DAs .ar as : %no# youCand your ,atCdon>t ha!e to .ear the .urnishings. Can>t spea% #ith ,o/plete authority& o. ,ourseC: Aust got here /ysel.. : #as #aiting .or +iss Peterson to sit& but she has been disin,lined to do so.D DOh& #ell& : a/ not so disin,linedCthough : did Aust sit all the #ay .ro/ <ondon. "o# that you>re the /ar1uis& Charles& you>ll ha!e to see to the ,arriages. hought /y teeth #ere going to be rattled .ro/ /y /outhC: s#ear : .elt e!ery ro,% on the road.D <ady Beatri,e settled gra,e.ully on the settee& 1uite a .eat& E//a thought& .or so/eone o. her i/pressi!e girth. DCo/e& +iss Peterson& ta%e a seat& do. $ou>ll gi!e /e ne,% strain i. you don>t& and :>/ sure poor Charles here needs to ta%e the #eight o.. his .eet. Bess #ill /o!e .or you& #on>t you& s#eets@D he 1ueen paused in her ablutions long enough to loo% in <ady Beatri,e>s dire,tion& then #ent ba,% to applying her tongue to the area under her tail. E//a a!erted her eyes. DIust gi!e her a little push& +iss Peterson&D <ady Beatri,e said. DBess is so/eti/es a /ite stubborn.D Iust li%e the ha/es is a /ite #et& E//a thought. Jueen Bess did not loo% eager to /o!e. E//a ,ertainly #as not eager to get her hand ,la#ed. DAllo# /e.D Charles>s ar/ brushed hers as he rea,hed .or the ,at. She .elt the a,,idental ,onta,t as i. a sho,% had passed bet#een the/. Be #as so ,lose& she ,ould .eel the heat o. his body and inhale his ,lean& /ale s,ent o. soap& leather& and linen. She #at,hed his broad& ,apable hands gently s,oop under the ,at>s /iddle& and re/e/bered the .eel o. his pal/ and .ingers. She hoped he didn>t hear her sudden& sharp inta%e o. breath or noti,e the #ay her body stilled. She stepped ba,% so 1ui,%ly her heel ,aught on her he/ and she had to steady hersel. on the edge o. the des%. ?hen she loo%ed ba,% at hi/& he #as deli!ering Jueen Bess to his aunt>s #aiting lap. Bis aunt>s eyes #ere .ir/ly .i0ed on E//a. E//a s#allo#ed a ner!ous giggle. <ady Beatri,e glared in /u,h the sa/e #ay as her ,at. D han% you& Charles. Be is 1uite the hero& isn>t he& +iss Peterson@D

E//a s/iled slightly and edged ba,% to the no#2!a,ant ,hair. She tried surreptitiously to brush o.. the orange ,at hairs be.ore she sat. She glan,ed at Charles. Be bo#ed and grinned. D: try /y hu/ble best& Aunt& to sa!e da/sels in distress .ro/ dragonsCand tabbies o. all des,riptions.D DB//.D <ady Beatri,e stro%ed her ,at and studied Charles. E//a tried not to .idget #hen the #o/an>s eyes e0a/ined her. D5oes this da/sel ha!e a parti,ular need to be sa!ed& Charles@D Ber tone #as la-y& but E//a dete,ted an i,y under,urrent. D"ot that : %no# o.& Aunt.D Charles sho!ed his hands in his po,%ets and leaned against the /antel. Bis !oi,e #as sharp. D?hy do you as%@D D: a/ not a,,usto/ed to hearing ,ro,%ery shatter as : prepare to enter a roo/.D E//a studied her hands ,lasped in her lap and hoped her ,hee%s #eren>t burning as brightly as she .eared. D: belie!e : said so/ething #ith #hi,h +iss Peterson disagreed.D DReally@ One #onders #hat ,on!ersational topi, ,ould possibly pro!o%e a gently bred young lady to hea!e the %ni,%%na,%s about.D E//a de,ided that it #as past ti/e to .lee. D: belie!e : should be getting ba,% to the girls& /y lord& <ady Beatri,e. :>/ sure they>!e #orn "anny out by no#.D D5on>t go& +iss Peterson&D <ady Beatri,e said. D:>!e hardly /et you.D :t #as not a re1uest. E//a san% ba,% into her ,hair. D here>s really nothing at all interesting about /e& <ady Beatri,e.D <ady Beatri,e raised one eyebro#. D hat is #hat : a/ trying to deter/ine& +iss Peterson.D DAunt& lea!e o... +iss Peterson is %indly .illing in #hile +iss Bodge%iss& :sabelle and Claire>s go!erness& attends her ailing /other.D D: see. And she is staying at Knightsdale@D <ady Beatri,e paused. Ber blue eyes ra%ed E//a .ro/ head to toe. DBo# . . . ,on!enient.D E//a sat a little straighter in her ,hair. Surely the #o/an ,ould not be insinuating . . . "o& it #as i/possible. "o one had e!er a,,used E//aCno one had e!er ,onsidered a,,using E//aCo. anything other than per.e,tly proper beha!ior. She /ust ha!e /isunderstood <ady Beatri,e>s in.le,tion.

:t #as hard to /isunderstand the hard loo% in the older #o/an>s eyes. D+iss Peterson and : #ere Aust be,o/ing rea,1uainted #hen you arri!ed& Aunt.D DRea,1uainted& Charles@ So you and +iss Peterson had a . . . relationship o. so/e sort@D D"o.D E//a hoped she had not shouted the #ord& but .ro/ the #ay the older #o/an>s eyebro#s shot up& she #as a.raid she had. She surged to her .eet. She #as going to lea!e this roo/ no#& #hether Charles>s aunt li%ed it or not. D<ady Beatri,e& : ,an assure you . . .D DPlease don>t& ,hild.D <ady Beatri,e #a!ed a hea!ily beAe#eled hand in her dire,tion. DSit do#n. : apologi-e i. : o..ended you.D E//a sat but re/ained on the edge o. her seat& ready to lea!e at the .irst insult. D: a/ not a,,usto/ed to su,h treat/ent& <ady Beatri,e. : hope it #ill not be repeated.D <ady Beatri,e ,hu,%led. DEot ,la#s& do you@ hat>s good. So& then& tell /e #hy you thre# theDC<ady Beatri,e loo%ed o!er at the shattered pie,es on the .loor and shrugged CD#hy you hea!ed that ge#ga# at the door.D E//a .lushed. D:t #as a dog& <ady Beatri,e.D DAh.D he older #o/an rubbed the 1ueen>s ears. DBess here #ould probably agree #ith youCshe doesn>t ,are .or dogs hersel.. : do .ind it odd you apparently asso,iate #ith a li!e !ersion o. the ,reatures& i. you despise the beasts so /u,h you .eel ,o/pelled to rid the #orld o. ,anine gi/,ra,%eryC gi/,ra,%ery& : /ight add& that does not belong to you. $ou did say Prinny #as a dog& did you not@D D$es.D E//a loo%ed to Charles .or help. he #ret,h had his hand o!er his /outh& /u..ling his laughter. D: didn>t /ean to brea% the .igurine.D D"o@ ?hat did you /ean to do@D D: #as ai/ing .or <ord Knightsdale>s head.D DO. ,ourse. Charles@D D: /erely as%ed +iss Peterson to #ed /e. She de,lined.D <ady Beatri,e blin%ed. D: see. A si/ple >no> #ould not ha!e su..i,ed@D DApparently not.D

E//a #anted to s,rea/C.ro/ /orti.i,ation or .rustration& she #asn>t sure #hi,h. D<ady Beatri,e& : do apologi-e. : really ,an>t e0plain /y rea,tion.D D hen don>t atte/pt to& dear. So/e things are ine0pli,ableCand others be,o/e ,lear #ith ti/e. :t re/ains to be seen into #hi,h ,ategory this little e!ent #ill .it. $ou did say you ha!e /et be.ore@D Charles ,hu,%led. D+iss Peterson and : #ere ,hildhood play/ates& Aunt. : sa# her again .or the .irst ti/e in years Aust shortly be.ore you arri!ed.D D$ears& Charles@ Bo# /any years@D Charles shrugged. DA .e#. At least ten. Probably /ore li%e t#enty.D <ady Beatri,e stared at Charles. D$ou ha!en>t seen +iss Peterson sin,e you #ere a ,hild and yet you Aust as%ed her to /arry you@D Charles shi.ted his #eight and ,leared his throat. D$es.D <ady Beatri,e shoo% her head. D+iss Peterson& /y apologies. : ,o/pletely understand. "e0t ti/e : suggest a hea!ier obAe,t at ,loser range.D

Charles #at,hed the ladies ,hat. <a/bert had brought in tea and ,a%esCand a sau,er o. ,rea/ .or her highness. D$ou did say you are staying in the house& didn>t you& +iss Peterson@D Aunt Beatri,e helped hersel. to the largest ,a%e. D$es. +iss Bodge%iss le.t suddenly last #ee%& and : thought it best that : /o!e up here to help "anny. She is getting on in years.D D:ndeed. And your .a/ily ,an /anage #ithout you@D E//a paused& and Charles leaned .or#ard. Bad there been a shado# in her eyes@ DOh yes. +y sister is se!enteen& so she no longer needsCnor #antsC/y daily super!ision.D DB//. And : belie!e your /other died /any years ago& didn>t she@D Aunt Bea brushed a .e# ,ru/bs o.. her boso/. D"ot long a.ter +eg #as born.D E//a s/iled& but Charles sa# the shado# again. D: raised +eg and %ept house& but& #ell& things ,hange. : ,an easily a..ord to tea,h the girls until +iss Bodge%iss ,an return.D

Charles #at,hed E//a nibble a pie,e o. ,a%e. She had a ni,e /outhCa .ull lo#er lip& a slightly bo#ed upper. Kissable lips. Be #at,hed the s/all pin% tip o. her tongue dart out to ,apture an errant ,ru/bC and .elt heat .lood a ,ertain part o. his anato/y. Be ,ould i/agine lo!ely things .or that tongue to do. D5on>t you agree& Charles@D DB//@D Be tore his eyes a#ay .ro/ +iss Peterson>s lips to .ind Aunt Bea staring at hi/. D:>/ sorry& Aunt. :>/ a.raid : #as #oolgathering.D Aunt Bea snorted. D:s that #hat they ,all it no#@ :n /y dayCD Charles glan,ed at E//a>s be#ildered e0pression. DAunt& ,ould you sa!e us all our blushes and Aust repeat the 1uestion@D Aunt Beatri,e glan,ed at E//a also. DAll right. : #as trying to persuade +iss Peterson to Aoin our little house party.D DAn e0,ellent suggestionGD Charles bea/ed. rust Aunt Bea to ,o/e up #ith su,h an inspired notion. DBut <ord Knightsdale& : ,ouldn>t possibly Aoin your guests.D D?hy e!er not& +iss Peterson@ $ou #ould be a lo!ely addition.D DBut :>/ the go!erness.D DPsha#G he te/porary go!erness.D Aunt Bea o..ered the 1ueen a /orsel o. ,a%e. Ber highness sni..ed ,are.ully& then tilted her nose up& reAe,ting the treat D$our birth is i/pe,,ableC.ather>s the son o. an earl& i. : re/e/ber ,orre,tly.D D he .ourth son o. an earl&D +iss Peterson said. D"o /atter. Blood>s blue enough.D +iss Peterson ,lattered her tea,up into its sau,er. DBlue enough .or #hat@D D3or the ton& +iss Peterson.D Aunt Bea popped the ,a%e Jueen Bess had de,lined into her o#n /outh. D: don>t suppose you e!er /ade your ,o/e out@D he 1uestion #as /u..led by ,a%e ,ru/bs. D"o. ?hen : #as se!enteen& +eg #as only nine. : didn>t #ant to lea!e her& and /y .ather #asn>t interested in ha!ing /e go to <ondon. : suppose #e ,ould ha!e gotten one o. his sisters to sponsor /e& but it didn>t see/ #orth the trouble.D

Aunt Bea nodded& her plu/es bobbing. D<ady Ero/#ell& the ,ountess& and <ady 3anning& the baroness. Per.e,tly a,,eptable.D She rea,hed .or another ,a%e. D$ou did say your sister is se!enteen@ 5id she also de,line a trip to o#n@D D$es. 3ather o..ered her the opportunity. <ady Eli-abeth& the 5u%e o. Al!ord>s sister& #as /a%ing her bo#sC+eg ,ould easily ha!e gone up #ith her.D +iss Peterson sighed& shrugging slightly. D+eg isn>t interested in go#ns and .urbelo#s& :>/ a.raid. She>d /u,h rather be out /u,%ing around in the .ields& loo%ing .or plants to add to her ,olle,tion.D She paused& ga-ing into her tea,up. Charles sa# the shado# in her e0pression again. Ber /outh tightened. DAnd things #ere a little . . . unsettled at ho/e.D ?hat #as bothering the girl@ Be #anted to see only laughter in her eyesCor spar%s o. anger and passionCnot sadness. DSounds as i. your sister ,ould stand a little polishing& +iss Peterson&D Aunt Bea said. D: suggest #e in,lude her in the house party& Charles. :t #ill be a per.e,t opportunity .or her to ease into the ton.D DA splendid idea& Aunt. And +iss Peterson #ill be here to sho# her the #ay o. it.D D<ady Beatri,e& : don>t thin% . . .D D"o& #e insistCdon>t #e& Charles@D D5e.initely. : #ill es,ort you ho/e today& +iss Peterson& to present the in!itation in person.D DBut. . .D DCo/e& +iss Peterson&D Aunt Bea said. D:>/ ,ertain your .ather ,annot obAe,t Be /ust be happy to see his daughterChis daughtersCa,1uire so/e so,ial polish.D +iss Peterson abandoned her tea,up and sat up& her nostrils .laring& .ire ba,% in her eyes. D<ady Beatri,e . . .D Aunt held up her hand. D"o#& +iss Peterson& don>t be tireso/e. ?hat possible obAe,tion ,an you ha!e to a little enAoy/ent@ So/e ,ards& a pi,ni, or t#o& a ball@ All une0,eptionable pursuits.D +iss Peterson>s ,hin Autted out /u,h li%e Claire>s. D: #ill need to attend to the girls.D

DO. ,ourse& but not e!ery instant o. the day& surely. "anny ,an %eep an eye on the/ in the s,hoolroo/& ,an>t she@D Aunt Beatri,e loo%ed at Charles. DCertainly.D Be grinned. DShe>s loo%ing a.ter the/ at the /o/ent& in .a,t And it>s not as i. they are babies. :sabelle stru,% /e as !ery responsible.D D oo responsible&D +iss Peterson said. DAnd she needs to %eep up #ith her lessons.D D?hi,h she shall.D Charles sa# !i,tory #ithin his grasp. D: shall !isit the s,hoolroo/ and assist& as long as you don>t #ant /e to instru,t in #ater,olors. : ,an>t paintCor dra#Cat all.D D8// . . .D D:t>s de,ided& then.D Aunt Bea snagged the last ,a%e. DEo get your bonnet& +iss Peterson& and Charles #ill dri!e you o!er no#.D DBut. . .D Aunt Bea /ade shooing /otions #ith her hands. +iss Peterson loo%ed at Charles. Be ,hu,%led at the ,on.used /i0 o. .rustration& anger& and resignation on her .a,e. And anti,ipation@ Surely there #as a gli//er o. anti,ipation as #ell@ Be suspe,ted it had been a long ti/e sin,e +iss Peterson had let hersel. ha!e any .un. +aybe she had ne!er allo#ed hersel. pleasure. Charles #as deter/ined to ,hange that. Be .ound he #ould dearly lo!e to gi!e her pleasure. Elorious pleasure. Bot& s#eaty pleasure. <ate night and early /orning pleasure. Be #at,hed her lo!ely derriere s#ish as she stal%ed out o. the roo/. DSettled on her& ha!e you@D Charles shrugged& turning ba,% to his aunt. D$ou>!e been nagging /e in,essantly to #ed e!er sin,e #e got #ord Paul had died. +iss Peterson #ill do.D D$ou ha!e /any ladies to ,hoose .ro/.D DAll o. #ho/ :>!e seen be.ore.D DAh& but they are /u,h /ore interested in you no# that you are the +ar1uis o. Knightsdale.D Charles .elt his sto/a,h t#ist. Eod& that #as one o. the things he hated /ost about the bloody situationCthe toadying. People #ho ,ould not be bothered to noti,e /ere +aAor 5rays/ith stu/bled o!er the/sel!es to greet <ord Knightsdale.

D hat is part o. +iss Peterson>s ,har/& Aunt. : don>t belie!e she gi!es a .ig .or /y tide.D E//a .or,ed hersel. to #al% ,al/ly do#n the stairs. She #as still .u/ing. he gall o. the /anG o ,o/e here a.ter all these years and suggest she /arry hi/. She>d s#ear he hadn>t e!en re,ogni-ed her #hen he>d .irst seen her in the long gallery. Be Aust #anted a breeder. She #as ,ertainly not going to o..er hersel. up so the Knightsdale dynasty ,ould ,ontinue one /ore generation. he #ay she .elt no#& she>d happily ter/inate the line i//ediately. ?ith her bare hands. She paused on the se,ond2.loor landing& gripping the handrail so tightly her %nu,%les sho#ed #hite. She too% a deep breath. She #as angry #ith hersel. as #ell. ?hy ,ouldn>t he be uglyC,ross2eyed or po,%/ar%ed or hun,hba,%ed@ ?hy did he ha!e to be the one /an #ho haunted her drea/s@ She put her hands on her .lushed ,hee%s. Be had haunted /ore than her sleep. E!en a#a%e& she had drea/ed o. hi/& o. the %iss she had seen. She had in!ited hi/ into her bed the !ery night she had rushed ho/e .ro/ his brother>s #edding ball. <ud& it #as true. Papa>s proper daughter had ,li/bed into bed& blo#n out the ,andle& and su//oned up her /e/ory o. Charles on the Knightsdale terra,e. But in her thoughts& he #as %issing her& not so/e anony/ous <ondon lady. She had tried to .eel his lips /o!ing on hers. ?ould they be #ar/ or ,ool& /oist or dry@ She had i/agined his ar/s around her& his ,hest against hers& his hands on herC She s1uee-ed her eyes shut. She #ould not thin% about Aust #here she had i/agined his hands. "o# he had as%ed her to /arry hi/. She ,ould dis,o!er e0a,tly #hat his lips .elt li%e. ?hat his hands. . . EnoughG She ,ould not /arry the /an Aust to test the a,,ura,y o. her i/agination& ,ould she@ "o. Certainly not. Su,h a thought #as ludi,rous in the e0tre/e. She ,ontinued do#n the stairs. She had al/ost died in the study #hen his eyes had see/ed to tra,e the line o. her lips. She ,ould barely %eep her attention on <ady Beatri,e>s #ords. he /an should be .or,ed to #ear a blind.oldCthose ,lear blue eyes #ere dangerous to #o/en. Be had probably lured ,ountless so,iety ladies into his ar/s #ith the/. ?ell& she #ould not be another !i,ti/C no /atter ho# /u,h she #ould li%e to be. D+iss PetersonCso pro/pt. Splendid.D

E//a loo%ed do#n. Charles #as standing in the hall& grinning up at her. Ber heart lur,hed be.ore she ,ould ta%e it under .ir/ ,ontrol. D:t does not ta%e long to put on a bonnet& /y lord.D D"o@ : de.er to your greater %no#ledgeC: ha!e ne!er atte/pted the tas%.D D: don>t doubt you>!e /u,h e0perien,e #ith ta%ing o.. a bonnet& ho#e!erGD E//a bit her lip. ?here had that ,o/e .ro/@ She>d ne!er had trouble /inding her tongue in the past She stared straight ahead as she stepped out the .ront door& but she heard Charles>s #ar/ ,hu,%le by her ear. DAh& +iss Peterson& do : dete,t so/e #ords le.t unspo%en@D D: ha!e no idea to #hat you /ight be re.erring& /y lord.D DSo you are not inti/ating that : ha!e re/o!ed /ore than a lady>s bonnet@D E//a .elt a hot blush surge up her ,hee%s. She had not .ully reali-ed that she had been a,,using hi/ o. /ore thorough .e/inine disrobe/ent until he said the #ords. But she ,ertainly #as not going to ad/it it. So/e lies #ere ne,essary .or sel.2preser!ation. DO. ,ourse not& /y lord.D Be laughed& a deep& #ar/ sound. DOh& +iss Peterson& : ,an see #e are going to ha!e a #onder.ul ti/e together. +ay : ,all you E//a@D DCertainly not.D DSplendid. And you /ust ,all /e Charles.D D+y lord& did you not hear /e@ : did not gi!e you lea!e to use /y Christian na/e.D D?ell& E//a& : a/ !ery sorry& but : a/ ta%ing that lea!e. One thing : learned in the #ar #as to as% ni,ely& but i. so/ething is ,ru,ial .or sur!i!al& ta%e itC politely& o. ,ourse. And : do thin% using your lo!ely na/e& E//a& is ,ru,ial to /y sur!i!al.D E//a ,ould not thin% o. a single thing to say. She #as ,ertain her /outh #as gaping openCand it opened e!en .arther #hen she .elt his broad& #ar/ hands around her #aist& li.ting her to sit in his ,urri,le. Be ,li/bed up ne0t to her and grinned& tapping the botto/ o. her ,hin #ith his inde0 .inger. She shut her Aa# so 1ui,%ly she heard it snap.

o add to her ,on.usion& the ,urri,le>s seat #as e0tre/ely narro#. Charles>s side& hip& and leg #ere pressed tightly up against her. hey #ere a/a-ingly hardCli%e ro,%. She shi.ted& trying to put /ore spa,e bet#een the/. Be shi.ted #ith her. D+y lord& you are ,ro#ding /e.D DCharles& E//a. $ou %no# /y na/e is Charles. $ou used to ,all /e Charles #hen you #ere a girl.D DAnd you #ill not hear it on /y lips no#& /y lord. :& at least& ha!e so/e in%ling o. de,oru/.D DB//. Perhaps : ,an persuade those lips.D Be.ore E//a had the slightest idea #hat Charles planned& she .elt his /outh on hers. Ber eyes ,losed& #hether to shut out the sho,%ing sight o. his .a,e so ,lose to hers or to better .eel the tou,h o. his lips& she ,ouldn>tCor #ouldn>tCsay. :t #as the brie.est brush Cdry and ,oolCbut she .elt it all the #ay to her toes. :t started an odd .ire burning in her sto/a,h& a .ire that had s/oldered in her drea/s but had ne!er .lared to li.e. A .ire she .eared #ould ,onsu/e her. <ud& #as she in troubleG KKK Charles ,hu,%led and /o!ed ba,% to his side o. the seat. Be #ould ha!e pre.erred to spend /ore ti/e e0ploring E//a>s /outh& but the horses #ere restless and E//a /ight soon re,o!er enough .ro/ her sho,% to slap hi/ senseless. "ot to /ention the .a,t that they #ere in .ull !ie# o. Knightsdale>s /any #indo#s. ?as Aunt Bea peering do#n at the/@ Or little Claire@ Be didn>t ,are. Be grinned& .eeling a ridi,ulous urge to laugh. Be had not .elt this lighthearted in yearsC,ertainly not sin,e he>d le.t .or the Peninsula. 5e.initely not sin,e he>d gotten #ord o. Paul>s death. E!en #hen he>d Aust ,o/e do#n .ro/ uni!ersity and #as ra,%eting around <ondon& he had not .elt this pure& ,are.ree Aoy. Be>d thought he>d been li!ing a #onder.ul li.e then& a,1uiring so/e to#n bron-e& but too /any /ornings a.ter a night o. debau,hery& the bron-e had .elt /ore li%e rust. Be too% a deep breath o. ,ool English air& dra#ing in the s,ent o. ne#2/o#n grass. +aybe he had not .elt this #ay sin,e boyhood #hen he>d had a #hole glorious day be.ore hi/ to .ill #ith .ishing and riding and playing at Robin Bood or Knights o. the Round ableCo.ten #ith the girl beside hi/ tagging at his heels. Be ,hu,%led. ?ho #ould ha!e guessed he #ould e!er .eel /ore than annoyan,e .or the little ,urly2headed pest he had ni,%na/ed DRunt.D

D?hat is so a/using& /y lord@D So +iss Peterson #as going to be on her high horse& #as she@ Be glan,ed at her. $es& she had her little nose tilted in the air. D5id you %no# the other boys ,alled you DShado#>@D D?hat@D She turned to loo% at hi/. D?hat are you tal%ing about@D D?hen #e #ere ,hildren. he other boys ,alled you >Shado#&> be,ause you #ere al#ays .ollo#ing /e around.D DOh.D She #as loo%ing o.. at the s,enery no#& a .aint blush ,oloring her ,hee%s. D: didn>t ,all you that& though. : didn>t /ind your .ollo#ing /e.D D$ou ,alled /e >Runt.>D D?ell& you #ere little. $ou are still not !ery tall& though so/e areas o. your personDC Charles allo#ed his eyes to rest on her #ell2shaped breastsC Dha!e gro#n ,onsiderably.D D+y lordGD Ber ,hee%s #ere .la/ing no#. Charles bra,ed .or a slap. D$our hands& .or e0a/ple&D he said& laughing. D:>/ sure they are larger. $our .eet& too. $our lo!ely& u/& ,hCD E//a su,%ed in her breath& /a%ing the rele!ant anato/i,al .eatures s#ell in!itingly. DC,hin has gro#n sin,e you #ere a young girl as #ell.D D+y lord& you are so . . . slipperyD D: beg your pardon@D Charles tried .or his best inno,ent e0pression. D:>/ sure : don>t %no# #hat you /ean.D D$es& you doG : ,an>t 1uite grab hold o. you. : thin% : %no# #hat you are saying& but then so/eho# : don>t. $ou are as slippery as a trout.D DS#eetheart&D Charles said& his !oi,e suddenly hus%y at the eroti, possibilities her artless #ords ,onAured in his /ind& Danyti/e you #ould li%e to grab hold o. /e& please do. : #ill be happy to a,,o//odate you. :. : #ere a trout& : #ould be delighted to s#i/ in your tight& #et& u/ . . .D Charles s#allo#ed& reining in his i/agination. She thre# hi/ a pu--led& but #ary& glan,e. D$ou>re doing it again.D

Charles re/inded his body to beha!e itsel.. Bis !oi,e #as ,learer this ti/e. D:>/ doing #hat@D D5on>t loo% so inno,ent. $ou /eant so/ething else& didn>t you@D D"o.D D$es& you did.D Charles grinned. >>?ell& perhaps.D D ell /e.D DOh& no& E//a& /y lo!e. : /ost ,ertainly #ill not tell you. :>ll sho# youCbut only on,e #e are /arried.D Charles ,hu,%led& i/agining he ,ould hear her teeth grinding. Be loo%ed ahead to the .a/iliar stone building #here he had spent so /any hours learning Eree% and <atin .ro/ Re!erend Peterson. D?ill #e .ind your .ather at ho/e@D D$es.D Charles noted the sudden ,hill in E//a>s tone. ?hat #as this about@ DAnd your sister@D E//a shrugged. D+eg is probably out grubbing in the dirt so/e#here. :. 3ather andCD She paused. Ber nostrils .lared& her /outh .or/ing a tight line. DAnd@D he pro/pted& pulling the ,urri,le to a stop. E//a>s ,hin raised and she straightened her shoulders& li%e a soldier readying .or battle teasing thoughts le.t his /ind. Be #as 1uite ,ertain he had .ound the sour,e o. E//a>s shado#s. D. . . and +rs. Eraha/&D E//a said. D+rs. Barriet Eraha/. She>s a #ido#. She helps #ith the ,hur,h& arranging .lo#ers and su,h.D DAnd@D DAnd #hat& /y lord@D DAnd #hy does the thought o. +rs. Barriet Eraha/& #ido#& /a%e you sti..en up li%e you>!e s#allo#ed a hot po%er@D D: don>t %no# #hat you /ean.D

D:t ,an>t be the si/ple .a,t that she helps #ith the ,hur,h& ,an it@D Charles #at,hed E//a>s do#n,ast eyes. D$ou said >3ather and. . . .> :t>s the >and> that>s the proble/& isn>t it@ :s this +rs. Eraha/ a harpy o. the #orst sort@D E//a shoo% her head. DO. ,ourse not. +rs. Eraha/ is a .ine /e/ber o. the ,ongregation.D DBut perhaps not su,h a .ine /e/ber o. your .a/ily@D DAre you going to help /e out o. this ,urri,le or do : need to leap do#n@D D:>ll help you& s#eetheart.D Charles ,a/e around and too% her by the #aist. Be didn>t slide her do#n his body as he #anted to& nor did he pull her against hi/ #hen her .eet tou,hed the ground. But he didn>t let her go i//ediately either. Be enAoyed the ,ur!e o. her #aist under his hands too /u,h. o his surprise& she didn>t pull a#ay. She stood 1uietly loo%ing do#n& her eyes hidden by her bonnet. DE//a& are you all right@D D$es. O. ,ourse.D She glan,ed up at hi/& then stepped ba,%. Be let her go. D:>/ sorry. Co/e this #ay.D Be .ollo#ed her inside. he s/ell hit hi/ .irstC the s/ell o. learning& o. old boo%s& leather& paper& and in%. Be had breathed in that s,ent so o.ten #hen he #as a boy struggling #ith his <atin de,lensions. Be had breathed it at uni!ersity& also& but this #as better. his #as ho/e. E//a>s papa had been a %ind /aster. Stri,t& de/anding& but al#ays en,ouraging. Charles had #or%ed hard to please hi/. Be had been guilty o. #ishing Re!erend Peterson #as his o#n papa. Perhaps that #as one reason he had tolerated E//a. Be had thought o. her as a little sister. Be ,ertainly did not thin% o. her as a sister no#. E//a stopped outside her .ather>s study and %no,%ed deliberately. D?e ha!e ,o/pany& Papa.D DPlease& ,o/e in.D E//a pushed the door open. Charles .ro-e on the threshold. Re!erend Peterson had aged in the past t#enty years. Bis hair #as grayF his ,hee%s& slightly sun%enF the bones o. his .a,e& /ore de.ined. Charles %ne# this. Be had seen the /an Aust .our /onths earlier at Paul>s .uneral. But to see hi/ here& in this studyCthis roo/ should ha!e been an eddy #here ti/e and age did not ,o/e.

D+y lord&D Re!erend Peterson #as saying& standing. D:t is good to see you again. ?e are all happy you ha!e ,o/e ho/e to Knightsdale.D Charles grinned. D3inally. han% you .or not saying it.D Re!erend Peterson>s s/ile had not ,hanged. Bis lips ,ur!ed only slightly& but his eyes t#in%led o!er his spe,ta,les. D: #ould ne!er presu/e to ,riti,i-e a /ar1uis.D DOut loud.D he !i,ar>s lips t#it,hed& and the ,orners o. his eyes ,rin%led. D: #as Aust eager to see you in the neighborhood& /y lord.D Be turned to a s/all #o/an #ho>d been sitting in a ,hair ne0t to his des%. D+ay : present +rs. Barriet Eraha/@ +rs. Eraha/ is relati!ely ne# to Knightsdale& /y lord& but she has been a !ery a,ti!e /e/ber o. the parish.D D+rs. Eraha/.D Charles too% the #o/an>s hand. Be ,ould al/ost .eel E//a bristle. She #as still standing sti..ly by the door. D+y lord.D +rs. Eraha/ s/iled ,al/ly up at hi/. Be li%ed her i//ediately. She had a pleasant& ,o/.ortable .a,e #ith #ar/ bro#n eyes and hair that had on,e been bro#n but #as no# strea%ed #ith gray. So this is the harpy. She loo%ed li%e a nor/al& /iddle2aged #o/an& not a ,andidate .or e!il step2/otherhood. DRe!erend& :>!e ,o/e to e0tend an in!itation to both your daughters.D E//a #at,hed Charles ta%e +rs. Eraha/>s hand. She had not been surprised to .ind the #o/an in the study #ith Papa. <ud& she pra,ti,ally li!ed at the !i,arage. +aybe she #ould& i. +eg /o!ed up to Knightsdale .or this house party. E//a bit her lip. "o& she truly ,ould not see Papa brea%ing Eod>s la#& li!ing in sin #ith a #o/anC e!en a Ae-ebel li%e Barriet Eraha/. DA nu/ber o. ladies #ill be in attendan,e #ho are +iss +argaret Peterson>s age. +y aunt& <ady Beatri,e& thought this /ight be an e0,ellent opportunity .or your younger daughter to get her .eet #et in the so,ial pond& as it #ere& and in .a/iliar surroundings #ith her older sister to guide her.D DAnd #ho #ill guide her older sister@D DPapa& : a/ not a ,o/plete ,abbage2head. : #ill do !ery #ell.D E//a sa# Charles>s eyebro# rise& and she .lushed. Perhaps her tone had been a bit sharp.

D: didn>t /ean to i/ply that you #ere& E//a& but you ha!e not been to <ondon& either.D D:>!e been to plenty o. lo,al asse/blies.D >$es& : %no#& but. . .D E//a glared her .ather to silen,e. D5o not #orry& sir.D here #as a slight note o. hu/or in Charles>s !oi,e. E//a turned to glare at hi/. Be ignored her. D+y aunt #ill be present& and it #ill not be a !ery strenuous gathering. Iust a .e# pi,ni,s& a ball. Hery rela0ed. : belie!e the 5u%e o. Al!ord and his #i.e and sister #ill be there& as #ell as the Earl o. ?estbroo%e& so the ladies #ill see a .e# .a/iliar .a,es.D Re!erend Peterson nodded. D he du%e>s sister& <ady Eli-abeth& is +eg>s parti,ular .riend. : see no obAe,tions& do you& Barriet@D E//a gritted her teeth as +rs. Eraha/ nodded and /ur/ured her ,on,urren,e. D he guests should begin arri!ing to/orro#&D Charles said& Dso :>ll send a ,arriage to .et,h +iss +argaret Peterson in the /orning& shall :@D D hat #ould be splendid& /y lord.D Papa loo%ed at his older daughter. DE//a& you /ust ha!e so/e things you need to pa,%. $ou didn>t plan .or so,ial a,ti!ities #hen you #ent up to ta%e +iss Bodge%iss>s pla,e.D D"o& and :>/ not planning on attending /any so,ial a,ti!ities no#C: #ill still be spending /ost o. /y ti/e #ith the girls.D DBut not all your ti/e&D Charles said. D?hy don>t you pa,% your things no#@D E//a did not #ant to pa,% anything. She ,rossed her ar/s& ready to tell the/ that& but she ,aught Charles>s eye be.ore she spo%e. So/ething in his e0pression #arned her she #as on the !erge o. a ,hildish tantru/. She ,losed her lips. She #as t#enty2si0& not si0 years old. Su,h beha!ior #as beneath her. She dre# a steadying breath. D: suppose that is a good idea. : #on>t be long.D D?ould you li%e so/e help@D

D"o& +rs. Eraha/. : a/ 1uite ,apable o. /anaging on /y o#n.D E//a glan,ed at her .ather and sa# the reproa,h in his .a,e. She .lushed. DBut than% you .or the o..er. :>ll Aust be a /inute.D :t did not ta%e /u,h /ore than a /inute to pa,%. Ber #ardrobe #as not e0tensi!eC/ost o. it #as already at Knightsdale. She hurriedly bundled a .e# e0tra dresses into a !alise. She stopped& a hand on her ball go#n. Should she bring it@ "o. Ridi,ulous. Ber .ingers slid o!er the sil%y .abri,. :t had been su,h a #aste o. /oney. She had ne!er #orn it. She ,ould #ear it no#& at the house party. "o. She #ouldn>t go to the ball. . . #ould she@ She ,losed her eyes& re/e/bering Charles and that <ondon lady on the terra,e ten years ago. She>d been too young to go to that ball. She #as not too young no#. . . . She grabbed the dress& stu..ed it in a/ong the rest o. her things& and le.t her roo/ be.ore she ,ould ,hange her /ind. Charles put her !alise in the ,urri,le #hile she said good2bye to her .ather. DShould /y ears be burning@D she as%ed a.ter he had helped her into her seat. DE//a& your .ather #ould not tal% about you #ith /e and +rs. Eraha/.D D:>/ sure he tal%s about /e to +rs. Eraha/.D E//a stared ahead& #aiting .or Charles to de.end the #o/an. Be said nothing. She should say nothing& too& but #ords #ere ,la#ing at her throat& de/anding to be .ree. She had no one to ,on.ide in. She ,ouldn>t tal% to +eg. She had tried on,e& but +eg #as too young. She didn>t understand. And the other ladies she %ne# #ere too old. ?ell& and she didn>t #ant to air her dirty laundry. But Charles had been #itness to her bad beha!ior. ?hat #as the /atter #ith her@ 3irst she had lost her te/per and thro#n that trin%et at Charles& and no# she>d Aust a,ted li%e a rude ,hild. Perhaps she #as ill. Ber sto/a,h ,ertainly .elt unsettled. :. Charles had been serious about his /arriage proposal& he /ust be ,ongratulating hi/sel. no# that she had de,lined his o..er. She #as turning into a sho,%ing shre#. :. only +rs. Eraha/ #ould /o!e ba,% to #here she had ,o/e .ro/. :. only things ,ould be nor/al again. She loo%ed o!er at Charles. Be raised an eyebro#. D:s the danger past@D

D?hat danger@D E//a .ro#ned. D?hat are you tal%ing about@D D$ou>!e been sitting there gro#ling and .le0ing your hands. : .eared you /ight e0plode at any /o/ent.D D: #as not gro#ling. Bo# absurdGD D$ou #ere.D D: #as not. : don>t e!en %no# ho# to gro#l.D D?ell& it sounded li%e gro#ling to /e. ?ould you li%e to tell /e #hat the proble/ is@D D"o.D E//a pressed her lips together. D here is no proble/.D Charles sighed. D: i/agine it has so/ething to do #ith +rs. Eraha/& but .ran%ly& : ,an>t .atho/ #hat it ,ould be. She see/ed li%e a per.e,tly nor/al& respe,table lady to /e.D D?ell& she>s notGD E//a grabbed Charles>s ar/ and shoo% it. DShe is sha/eless. Bra-en.D D+rs. Eraha/@D >$es.D hey rode in silen,e .or a .e# /o/ents. E//a tried to get ,ontrol o. her te/per. She #as sha%ing inside. DAll right& E//a& : gi!e up. he thought o. +rs. Eraha/ as bra-en boggles /y /ind. : %no# it is indeli,ate to as%& but :>/ as%ing any#ayC#hat did she do@D D: .ound her in the study %issing /y .ather.D E//a ,ould see the s,ene as ,learly as i. it had Aust happened& yet it had been t#o /onths sin,e she had #al%ed in to tal% to her .ather and .ound hi/ sitting on the settee #ith +rs. Eraha/. E//a al#ays /ade a point o. %no,%ing no#. DAnd . . . @D She loo%ed at Charles. Be raised his eyebro#s. D?hat to you /ean& >and>@D DAnd #hat else@ $ou sa# your .ather %issing +rs. Eraha/& and . . . @D D:sn>t that enough@ And : didn>t a,tually see hi/ %issing her& but it #as 1uite ,lear that is #hat he>d been doing. Ber hair #as disordered and the ne,% o. her dress #as loose.D

D: see. So they #ere e0pressing a..e,tion .or ea,h other. Perhaps strong a..e,tion. :t has beenC#hat@C se!enteen years sin,e your /other died@D D: don>t %no# #hat di..eren,e that /a%es.D DBas there been a pro,ession o. >+rs. Eraha/s>@D DO. ,ourse not. +y .ather is a /an o. Eod.D DPre,isely. So perhaps he is ready to ta%e a #i.e again and has .ound he ,ares .or +rs. Eraha/.D DBe is too old to /arry.D E//a dug her .ingers into Charles>s ar/. he thought o. +rs. Eraha/ /o!ing into the !i,arage in truth . . . :t had al#ays been Aust her .ather and +eg and she. "o one else. hat #as the #ay it #as supposed to be. DS#eetheart&D he said& ta%ing the reins in one hand and gently loosening her .ingers& Dyour .ather ,annot be !ery /u,h /ore than .i.ty. Be is not too old.D DBut : don>t #ant a /other.D DAnd :>/ sure +rs. Eraha/ %no#s that. $ou are t#enty2si0 and +eg is se!enteen. :t is not beyond the real/ o. possibility that you #ill both be /arried be.ore the year is outC at least& : hope you #ill be. o /e. $our .ather #ill then be all alone. $ou should be happy that he has .ound +rs. Eraha/.D E//a dropped her hold on Charles>s ar/. She>d %no#n he #ouldn>t understand. Bo# ,ould he@ Be #as a /an& a.ter all. D:>/ not getting /arried.D Be s/iled& turning his attention ba,% to the horses. DPerhaps not. hat is your ,hoi,e. $ou /ust allo# your .ather the sa/e .reedo/.D DBut you don>t understand. Be>s /y .ather. Be has a duty to his .a/ily.D DBe>s a /an& too& s#eetheart.D E//a loo%ed do#n at her hands. D: thought he lo!ed /e and +eg. ?hy does he need her@D D:t>s a di..erent %ind o. lo!e& E//a. Ba!e you no understanding o. a /an>s needs@ O. a /an>s #ants@D

E//a shoo% her head. ?hat ,ould possibly be /ore i/portant to a /an than his ,hildren@ She had tried so hard to %eep the house as it should be& to be a /other to +eg. ?hat had she done #rong@ ?hat #as la,%ing@ D"o&D she said& D: don>t. : don>t understand at all.D D hen& /y lo!e& per/it /e to sho# you.D

Chapter 3
his %iss #as di..erent. he .irst one had been a light brush& ,ool and dry. his #as hot and #et. Charles>s /outh slanted o!er hersF his tongue tra,ed the sea/ o. her lips. She gasped and he slipped inside. ?ho #ould ha!e thought su,h a thing possible@ She had ,ertainly ne!er ,on,ei!ed o. the idea. She should be disgustedCbut she #as not. "ot in the least. here #ere so /any sensations. he .ullness o. his tongue in her /outh. he slight .ri,tion as he s#ept through her. he shi.ting pressure o. his lips. he s/ell o. his sha!ing soap and s%in. Bis tongue #ithdre# and she #hi/pered. Be surged ba,% into her and she /oaned. She grabbed his ar/ again so she #ouldn>t .all out o. the ,urri,le. <ud. Ber body throbbed in pla,es she blushed to ,onsider. Ber heart pounded. ?hen Charles .inally& gently& let her go& she shuddered and blin%ed up at hi/. Bis /agi,al lips #ere s/iling& but there #as a hunger& a blue .la/e in his eyesCa .la/e that /ust re.le,t the .ire running e!ery#here under her s%in. :s this #hat she had seen on the Knightsdale terra,e so /any years ago@ Surely not. he #o/an #ould ha!e spontaneously ,o/busted& Aust as E//a #as ,ertain she #ould at any /o/ent. D?hat did you Aust do to /e@D D"ot e!erything :>d li%e to& s#eetheart.D E//a loo%ed delight.ully da-ed. Be .elt rather da-ed hi/sel.. :. his horses hadn>t protested the long ina,tion& he #asn>t ,ertain #hen he #ould ha!e stopped. And he de.initely had to stop. An open ,arriage on a publi, road #as not the pla,e to initiate a !irgin into the Aoys o. lo!e/a%ing. DS#eetheart& ne0t ti/e #e do this& it #ill not be in a ,urri,le #ith t#o pri/e bits o. blood threatening to bolt.D D"e0t ti/e@ here #ill be a ne0t ti/e@D DOh& de.initely. As soon as : ,an /anage it.D D+y lordGD Ber brain /ust ha!e .inally e/erged .ro/ its se0ual stupor. A hot .lush turned her ,hee%s a !ery be,o/ing pin%. She straightened her spe,ta,les. D: a/ ,ertain this is /ost i/proper.D

D+ost& :>/ sure.D Be grinned. DBut oh& so delight.ul.D She turned to .a,e s1uarely .or#ard. D: belie!e #e should be returning to Knightsdale.D Charles obligingly ga!e his horses their o..i,e to start. D5on>t you thin% you should ,all /e Charles no#& lo!e@ he >/y lording> see/s a tri.le disingenuous. ?e ha!e Aust been so/e#hat inti/ate& a.ter all.D D:>/ ,ertain #e ha!e not.D D"o@ ?ell& #hat #ould you ,all it@ : did ha!e /y tongCD D+y lordGD D:. you do not #ish /e to des,ribe in detail e!erything #e Aust did& : thin% you>d better ,all /e Charles. "ot that : #ould /ind des,ribing it.D D+y lord& pleaseGD DPlease ,ontinue@ : shall be delighted to. :n .a,t& perhaps : shall also say e0a,tly #hat : #ould li%e to do the ne0t ti/e : ha!e the pleasure o. putting /y tongCD DCharlesGD E//a shouted his na/e& grabbing his ar/ and sha%ing it. DSee@ hat #asn>t so di..i,ult& #as it@D She pressed her lips together. D: belie!e : #ould pre.er to .inish this trip in silen,e.D DSplendid. : shall entertain /ysel. ,onte/plating all the lo!ely things #e ,an do together the ne0t ti/e #e ha!e the opportunity.D +iss Peterson did not rise to the bait. Charles ,ontented hi/sel. #ith i/agining #hat it #ould be li%e to strip ea,h arti,le o. her ,lothing slo#ly .ro/ her lo!ely body. Be had a !ery good i/agination. Be shi.ted on the ,urri,le seat. oo good an i/agination. Be had better turn his /ind to less ele!ating thoughts. E//a /ade a s/all sound& a ,ross bet#een a hiss and a /oan. Be glan,ed at her. She #as s,o#ling at her hands. ?here had her thoughts #andered no#@ Bope.ully not the sa/e pla,e his hadChe #anted her s/iling& not .ro#ning& #hen she pi,tured the/ together. +ore than s/iling. Eroaning. ?rithing #ith need. D5on>t ,are .or your style o. glo!e& /y dear@D She grunted. D+y .ather did not do that #ith +rs. Eraha/.D DAh. :. you say so.D

DBe ,ouldn>t ha!eC,ould he@D D: hesitate to point this out& lo!e& but your /ere presen,e on this earth #ould indi,ate that he ,ould.D Ber hand .le# to her lips. DSurely that is not ho# ,hildren are ,on,ei!ed@D Charles s#allo#ed his laughter. D"ot e0a,tly& but it does ha!e so/ething to do #ith the pro,ess.D DBo# /u,h@D DAh& lo!e& ho# : long to sho# you.D Be laughed at the annoyan,e in her eyes. :. there>d been a ,hina dog handy& he #ould de.initely ha!e .elt it ,ra,%ing o!er his head. D hin% o. it as the opening bars o. the #alt-& s#eetheart. here are 1uite a .e# /ore steps to be ,o/pleted be.ore the dan,e is o!er.D D+iss PetersonGD he ,all ,a/e .ro/ a /an up ahead. Charles studied the .ello# as he rode ,loser. Be had a terrible seatCsti.. and a#%#ard. But then the nag he #as astride #as a sorry spe,i/en as #ell. Sho#y& but #ith terrible gaits. Ob!iously bought by a /an #ho %ne# nothing o. horse.lesh. DA .riend o. yours@D DAn a,1uaintan,eC+r. Albert Sto,%ley. Be>s renting +r. At#orthy>s house #hile +r. At#orthy is in o#n.D E//a nodded and s/iled as the /an dre# up ne0t to the/. DEood a.ternoon& +r. Sto,%ley.D D+iss Peterson.D +r. Sto,%ley bo#ed sti..ly. Charles li%ed hi/ e!en less on ,loser inspe,tion. Be #as Aust as sho#y as his horse. S/all and #iry& he #ore his /ud2,olored hair .ussed into so/e stylish arrange/ent and his shirt points so high he ris%ed po%ing out his #atery blue eyes. Bis nose and lips had the perpetually pained e0pression o. so/eone #ho s/ells so/ething badCor e0pe,ts he #ill s/ell so/ething bad in Aust a /o/ent. Be loo%ed to be one o. those tireso/e s/all /en #ho al#ays ha!e so/ething to pro!e. D+r. Sto,%ley& ha!e you /et <ord Knightsdale@D E//a #as saying. Charles de.initely did not li%e the #ay Sto,%ley>s ga-e sharpened #hen he heard his title. D"o& : ha!e not.D Be bo#ed in Charles>s dire,tion. DA pleasure& /y lord.D

DSto,%ley.D Charles in,lined his head slightly. Be #as delighted to see Sto,%ley>s eyes narro#. D+iss Peterson&D Sto,%ley said& D: had been going to ,all on you at Knightsdale& but no# that his lordship is in residen,e& : assu/e you ha!e /o!ed ba,% to the !i,arage.D D?ell& a,tuallyCD D+iss Peterson has %indly o..ered to stay and help #ith /y nie,es #hile their go!erness is a#ay attending her ailing /other.D +r. Sto,%ley .ro#ned. DOh@ :s that ,o/pletely proper& /y lord@ "ot that : #ish to ,riti,i-e& o. ,ourse& but +iss Peterson is an un/arried lady. She needs to guard her reputation.D Charles .elt E//a stir at his side. D$ou need not be ,on,erned&D he said. D+y aunt& <ady Beatri,e& is in residen,e. She #ill see that : %eep /y ani/al instin,ts under ,ontrol.D D+y lord& : did not /ean to i/plyCD DE0,use /e& but in ,ase it has es,aped your noti,e& gentle/en& : a/ still sitting in this ,urri,le.D Charles s/iledCE//a sounded 1uite annoyed. D+r. Sto,%ley&D she said& D: appre,iate your ,on,ern& but you /ay put your /ind at rest. : a/ in no danger .ro/ his lordship>s >ani/al instin,ts.>D D"o& o. ,ourse not. : didn>t /ean to i/ply . . . : %no# your !irtue is unassailable. . . . ?ell& : Aust #ished to dis,o!er i. you #ould li%e to go .or a dri!e to/orro# a.ternoon@D D hat #ould be lo!ely& ho#e!erCD DBo#e!er& +iss Peterson #ill be busy to/orro# a.ternoon& Sto,%ley. :>/ hosting a house party& and she has ,onsented to attend& #hen her duties as te/porary go!erness allo#& o. ,ourse. +y guests should be arri!ing to/orro#Cyou>re 1uite #el,o/e to ,o/e& i. you>d li%e.D Sto,%ley s/iled& a sudden odd eagerness in his .a,e. D: #ould be delighted to attend& /y lord.D Be bo#ed again. D: loo% .or#ard to seeing you both to/orro#.D Charles #as 1uite pleased to see the /an>s ba,%& e!en i. he loo%ed li%e a s,are,ro# on a Aob horse.

DSto,%ley>s an odd .ish&D he said. D5o you %no# anything about hi/@D D: belie!e he has so/e ,onne,tion to shippingChe>s only been in the neighborhood a .e# #ee%s. Be see/ed a per.e,tly a/iable gentle/an& until Aust no#& that is. Really& /y lord& : do not enAoy being dis,ussed as i. : #ere not present.D D: don>t li%e the /an.D D?ell& that #as rather apparent.D DBas he been bu--ing around you@D D"o& he has not been >bu--ing> around /e. $ou are being absurd.D DB//.D here #as so/ething o.. about Sto,%ley. Charles didn>t doubt the /an #as interested in E//a& but there #as so/ething /ore& so/ething t#isted in his regard. Be planned to %eep a ,lose eye on hi/. D here is so/ething you should %no#& E//a.D D?hat@D D$ou are de.initely in danger .ro/ /y ani/al instin,ts.D KKK E//a #as relie!ed to rea,h Knightsdale. She #as hoping to retreat to her roo/ .or a short #hile to gather her ,o/posure be.ore she sought out the girls .or lessons. At least she ,ould trust :sabelle to ha!e #al%ed Prinny. She #as su,h a responsible girl. D+iss Peterson& you ha!e ,o/pany&D +r. <a/bert said as she ,rossed the threshold. DEntertaining already& +iss Peterson@D Charles raised his eyebro#s& a s/ir% ho!ering on his lips. D: a/ so glad you are treating /y house as i. it #ere your o#n.D D+y lordG Please. :>/ sure there>s been so/e /ista%e. Are you ,ertain the indi!idual as%ed .or /e& +r. <a/bert@D D3our indi!iduals& /iss.D D3our@D D3our ladies& /iss. Older ladies. <ady Beatri,e is entertaining the/ at the /o/ent.D DOh.D E//a slapped her hand o!er her /outh. D he So,iety. his is the se,ond uesday o. the /onth& isn>t it@D

D: belie!e so& /iss. <ady Beatri,e has re1uested re.resh/ents. Perhaps you ,ould Aoin the ladies in the blue dra#ing roo/@D DCertainly. han% you& +r. <a/bert.D D he So,iety& +iss Peterson@ Are you so/e #ild2eyed re.or/er@D DBardly& /y lord. : #ould li%e to dis,uss issues& but the other ladies ne!er get beyond the latest gossip.D She sighed. his #as e0,eedingly a#%#ard. D: do apologi-e .or the intrusion. Sin,e : #as staying here& : thought it #ould be easiest to ha!e the ladies /eet at Knightsdale. : didn>t /ean to presu/e.D D"o& no& : #ould lo!e you to ,onsider Knightsdale your ho/e. ?hat is the na/e o. this so,iety : a/ hosting de .a,to@D D he So,iety .or the Better/ent o. ?o/en.D D+y Eod.D E//a thought the ladies sounded a bit /ore ani/ated than usual as she approa,hed the dra#ing roo/ door. She glan,ed at +r. <a/bert& #ho #as still ho!ering nearby. Be ,leared his throat. D<ady Beatri,e re1uested re.resh/ents.D D$es& you said that.D Charles ,hu,%led. DBro%e out the sherry& did she& <a/bert@D DAnd the brandy& /y lord.D DAnd the brandy@ : suspe,t you #ill ha!e so/e inspired dis,ussions this a.ternoon& +iss Peterson. Bo# long ha!e they been at it& <a/bert@D D he ladies arri!ed shortly a.ter you and +iss Peterson departed.D DAh. So plenty o. ti/e to get #ell and truly .o0ed.D A burst o. rau,ous laughter erupted into the hall #hen E//a opened the door. She stepped o!er the threshold ,autiously. D here she is. Co/e in& +iss Peterson. <et <ady Bea .ill up your glassCuh& ,up.D +rs. <a!inia Begley& the s1uire>s #i.e& satC#ell& spra#led& reallyCin a ,hair .a,ing the door. Ber nose #as t#o shades redder than nor/al& and her .a,e #as de.initely .lushed.

Charles>s aunt loo%ed o!er. She had ,hanged into an apple green and Aon1uil striped dress #ith a dia/ond tiara. he tiara had slipped slightly so it #as in danger o. sliding o!er her eyes. She pushed it ba,% and s/iled. D$es& do ,o/e in& +iss PetersonCand you& too& Charles.D E//a glan,ed around the roo/. he regular So,iety attendees #ere all hereC+rs. Begley& the +isses 3arthington& and +iss Blan,he Russell. She had tried to get the younger ladies o. the neighborhood interested in So,iety /eetings& but so .ar she had not been su,,ess.ul. +rs. Begley& #ho #as ,o/.ortably o!er .i.ty& #as the youngest o. the group besides E//a. D:>/ !ery sorry& <ady Beatri,e. : .orgot about the /eetingCand : ne!er #ould ha!e in!ited the ladies here i. :>d %no#n you #ould be in residen,e. : /ean& : ne!er /eant to i/pose. . . .D D5on>t get yoursel. in a pu,%er& +iss Peterson. :>!e enAoyed /a%ing +rs. Begley>s a,1uaintan,e and re/inis,ing #ith +iss Russell and the +isses 3arthington. :t>s been too long sin,e #e>!e enAoyed a ,o/.ortable ,o-e& hasn>t it& ladies@D +iss Esther and +iss Ra,hel 3arthington& t#ins #ho had /ade their ,o/e out #hen the Prin,e Regent #as an in.ant& nodded in unison. >$es& /u,h too long.D +iss Esther had a green ribbon threaded through her sparse #hite lo,%s. DSin,e poor Paul>s #edding.D +iss Ra,hel>s red ribbon un.ortunately a,,entuated the pin% o. her s,alp. D"o& Ra,hel& re/e/ber. . .D D. . . #e didn>t go to the #edding. hat>s right.D DBe,ause you #ere si,%.D DBad a tou,h o. dyspepsia.D D?hi,h : ,aught .ro/ you the ne0t day.D D?ould you ,are .or so/e /ore inspiration& ladies@D he t#ins nodded and held out their tea,ups .or <ady Beatri,e to pour another dollop o. brandy. DAnd you& +iss Russell@D +ousy +iss Russell hi,,upped and nodded. ?ell& at least the spirits had put a spar%le in her #atery eyes& E//a thought.

DCo/e in and Aoin us& +iss Peterson& <ord Knightsdale.D +rs. Begley too% the bottle .ro/ <ady Beatri,e and helped hersel.. D here>s still so/e le.t.D DOh& sister& there>s the ne# <ord Knightsdale.D +iss Ra,hel elbo#ed +iss Esther so hard a little o. the li1uid in her tea,up splashed out. DSo it is.D he t#o elderly ladies stared at Charles. DBe>s gotten big&D +iss Esther said. D: re/e/ber #hen he used to get into all sorts o. /is,hie..D DAnd +iss E//a& she #as al#ays .ollo#ing hi/ around.D D hin% they>ll /a%e a /at,h o. it@D E//a assu/ed the t#ins thought they #ere #hispering. Sin,e they #ere both /ore than a little dea.& their #hispering #as only slightly 1uieter than their regular spee,h. +iss Esther nodded. DS/elling o. April and +ay& :>d say.D E//a bristled. She #as a.raid i. she loo%ed at Charles& she #ould .ind hi/ grinning. D hey>ll /a%e ni,e2loo%ing babies& don>t you thin%@D D$es& indeed. <o!ely babies.D E//a heard a ,ho%ed laugh behind her. D?onder.ul babies&D Charles /ur/ured. D+any #onder.ul babies.D She .elt an odd tre/bling in her sto/a,h. Perhaps she had a tou,h o. dyspepsia. DAunt& : belie!e these ladies #ould /a%e brilliant additions to our house party& don>t you@D D$es& indeed. Splendid idea& Charles.D <ady Beatri,e held up her tea,up. D?hat say you& ladies@ ?ho>s .or a house party@D he ladiesCe!en +iss Blan,heCraised their ,ups high. DA house party&D they said. DBu--ahGD D: belie!e :>ll go ,he,% on <ady :sabelle and <ady Claire&D E//a said. D?ere the girls #ell2beha!ed& "anny@ 5o#n& PrinnyG Shh& you idiot dog. ?hate!er are you #earing@D

Prinny& attired in a doll>s red bonnet and ,ape& yapped and dan,ed around E//a>s s%irts. DCourse #e #ere beha!ed& +a/a Peterson.D Claire .ro#ned at the dog. DCo/e ba,%& <ady Prinny& it>s ti/e .or you to go to the ball.D D: thought ye said that dog #as yer sister>s.D "anny too% a /utton bone .ro/ behind a battered ,opy o. he Bistory o. <ittle Eoody #o2Shoes on the s,hoolroo/ shel.. DBere& ye heathen beast& go ,he# on this.D Prinny grabbed the bone and brought it o!er to #here Claire had arranged her dolls. :sabelle #as ,urled up in the #indo# seat& reading. DBe is +eg>s dog.D D5on>t loo% li%e it to /e.D "anny adAusted her spe,ta,les and tu,%ed a .e# stray strands o. #hite hair ba,% under her ,ap. D<oo%s li%e he>s /a%ing hi/sel. right at ho/e& :>d say.D E//a #at,hed Claire try to tie a s/all ,art around Prinny>s #aist. D5on>t #orry& :>/ sure he>ll go ho/e 1uite happily #hen +iss Bodge%iss ,o/es ba,%.D E//a hated to disturb the girls. :sabelle loo%ed so engrossed in her reading. Perhaps su/s ,ould #ait .or another day. DBo# is +iss Bodge%iss>s /other@ Bas anyone had #ord@D "anny grunted. DBetter& : belie!e.D D?ell& see then. $ou #on>t ha!e to su..er Prinny>s presen,e /u,h longer. : a/ sorry about the .lo#ers.D DOh& : don>t /ind hi/& not sin,e : got so/e bones .ro/ Coo%.D "anny pursed her /outh and loo%ed at E//a. D:>/ Aust #ondering i. yer /a%ing yersel. at ho/e& too.D D"annyGD E//a>s sto/a,h dropped to her slippers. D?hat are you saying@D D"othing bad& /iss& so ye ,an #ipe that loo% o.. yer .a,e. :>d be happy i. ye /arried his lordship. he girls li%e ye. And they need a /a. ?hy& <ady Claire>s been tal%ing about +a/a Peterson all a.ternoon.D D"anny& you %no# ho# Claire is.D "anny ,hu,%led. DAyeCa bossy little de!il.D DE0a,tly. And /u,h as : .eel .or her& she ,an>t arrange other people>s li!es to suit her #ants.D D?hy not@D

D?hy not@D E//a hardly %ne# #hat to say. She stared at the older #o/an& #ho shrugged. D:. <ady Claire #ants #hat>s best .or e!eryone& #hy not@D DBest .or e!eryone@ "anny& the /ar1uis Aust arri!ed this /orning. : barely %no# hi/C nor does he %no# /e.D DOh& pishG $e>!e been in lo!e #ith the boy .ore!er.D D: ha!e not.D E//a %ne# the #ords ,a/e out a little too .or,e.ullyCshe didn>t need to see "anny>s s/ir% to tell her that. A hot .lush ran up her ne,%. D: #at,hed ye .ollo# hi/ around #hen he #as a lad.D D: #as a ,hildCyounger than :sabelle.D "anny grinned. DAnd #as ye a ,hild #hen ye spied on hi/ at his brother>s #edding ball@D E//a ,losed her eyes. Perhaps this #as all Aust a bad drea/ and #hen she opened her eyes& she>d see her roo/ at the !i,arage. D?illia/& the .oot/an& sa# ye hiding in the bushes.D E//a #as going to e0pire .ro/ e/barrass/ent. "o #onder Charles had thought she>d be eager to /arry hi/. D"o& :>/ sorry. +arrying <ord Knightsdale is ,learly out o. the 1uestion. Be is ha!ing a house party and #ill .ind a suitable bride .ro/ the sele,tion presented& :>/ sure.D "anny /ade dis/issi!e ,lu,%ing noises. E//a loo%ed o!er and sa# :sabelle staring ba,% at her. D hat one #orries too /u,h&D "anny said so.tly. E//a nodded. She #al%ed o!er and sat do#n ne0t to :sabelle on the #indo# seat. Claire #as still happily playing on the .loor. Prinny had his head on his pa#s& a loo% o. resignation in his eyes& as Claire tried to tie a bo# on his tail. DCould you be our /a/a& +iss Peterson@D D:sabelle.D E//a gently pushed the girl>s so.t blond hair o.. her .orehead. She suddenly re/e/bered her ,on!ersation #ith Charles on the #ay ba,% .ro/ the !i,arage& ho# she had said she did not #ant a /other. She did not& no#. But she had #anted one desperately #hen she #as :sabelle>s age.

D:sabelle& : #ould lo!e to be your /a/a& but it isn>t that easy.D D?hy isn>t it@D E//a loo%ed at the girl>s s/all& serious .a,e. Bo# ,ould she e0plain@ ?hen she>d been nine& she had not understood about /en and #o/en. She thought about Charles>s %isses in the ,urri,le& ho# they had /ade her .eel. She #as t#enty2si0 and she still didn>t understand. D:sabelle& : #ould lo!e to be your /a/a& but then : #ould ha!e to /arry your 8n,le Charles.D D5on>t you li%e hi/@D E//a too% a deep breath. D: don>t %no# hi/ #ell enough to %no# i. : li%e hi/ or not.D D:s there so/eone else you #ould rather /arry@D D:sabelle.D E//a #as a.raid she sa# #here this ,on!ersation #as headed. D"o& there is no one elseC no#. But : /ight .ind so/eone else& and then : ,ouldn>t /arry hi/ i. : #ere /arried to your 8n,le Charles.D :sabelle s/iled. D hat>s not a proble/& then. +olly& one o. the upstairs /aids& says i. you ha!en>t .ound a /an by your age& you aren>t going to .ind one. So you ,an /arry 8n,le Charles.D E//a #as te/pted to 1ui- :sabelle to deter/ine #hi,h o. the upstairs /aids +olly #as so she ,ould strangle the ,hee%y girl. D$our 8n,le Charles /ay .ind a girl he #ould rather /arry& :sabelle. hat>s the point o. this house party& you %no#.D D"o& :>/ sure he #on>t li%e any o. the/ better than you. $ou are beauti.ul& +iss Peterson.D "o one had e!er ,alled E//a beauti.ul be.ore. D han% you& :sabelle.D E//a tou,hed the girl>s ,hee%. DIust %eep an open /ind& #ill you@ :>/ sure any lady your un,le /arries #ill lo!e you and Claire.D D+a/a Peterson& loo%GD E//a turned to see Prinny tearing to#ard her& #earing a purple bonnet no# and dragging a s/all ,art #ith t#o o. Claire>s dolls inside. E//a laughedCand heard the #onder.ul sound o. :sabelle giggling.

D?hat ha!e you done to that poor dog@D Charles as%ed .ro/ the door#ay. DPapa CharlesGD Claire s,attered her toys as she leapt o.. the .loor and ran to her un,le. Be ,aught her up and s#ung her high #hile she s,rea/ed and laughed. D"o# don>t get <ady Claire all stirred up& /y lord.D D"anny.D Charles lo#ered Claire to put her do#n& but the little girl #rapped her ar/s around his ne,% and buried her .a,e in his ,ra!at. E//a sa# his eyes #iden slightly& and then his lips slid into an odd little s/ile and his ar/s tightened around his nie,e. DSee&D :sabelle #hispered& D8n,le Charles #ill /a%e a #onder.ul papa.D E//a heard the longing in :sabelle>s !oi,e& and it #ent straight as an arro# to her heart. She s#allo#ed sudden tears. Perhaps Charles #ould /a%e a #onder.ul .atherC but #ould he /a%e a #onder.ul husband@ D?ould you ,are .or /ore peas& +iss Peterson@D D"o& than% you& /y lord.D Charles leaned ba,% in his ,hair and obser!ed +iss Peterson sa/ple her turbot. So/ething odd #as a.oot. Be had ,o/e to the s,hoolroo/ to in!ite her to ta%e dinner #ith Aunt Beatri,e and hi/. She had tried to de,line& but :sabelle o. all people had urged her to a,,ept. "o# E//a #as ,on,entrating on her /eal as though it #ere an epi,urean .east. :t #as not. Charles sighed& ta%ing another .or%.ul o. dry .ish. Eood& honest English ,oo%ingCedible& but not 1uite #hat his i/pending house guests #ould e0pe,t .ro/ a /ar1uis. Be didn>t #ant to o..end Coo%& but perhaps she>d be happy to ha!e so/e help in the %it,hen. Certainly Al!ord or ?estbroo%e& i. they !alued their palates& #ould lend hi/ the ser!i,es o. one o. their ,he.s .or the duration o. the house party. DBa!en>t had .ood li%e this in ages&D Aunt Bea said& .ro#ning do#n at her plate. DBland .ood #ill settle your sto/a,h& Aunt.D DBahC: don>t #ant the stu... Iust pour /e so/e /ore +adeira& #ill you& Charles@D D: #ill not. : ha!e Aust .inished loading a ,arriage #ith drun%en ladiesC: do not #ant you /ore bos%y than you already are.D D: ,an hold /y li1uor.D

D$ou are ,ertainly holding a !ast 1uantity o. it at the /o/ent& so #e #ill not add to it& : thin%.D Charles hoped she did not ta%e an opportunity to ad/ire hersel. in any /irrors. Ber green and yello# ense/ble #as /a%ing hi/ 1ueasy& and he had not do#ned se!eral bottles o. brandy. D$ou>d better ha!e thro#n so/e ,ha/ber pots into the ,arriage as #ell& Charles. 5on>t doubt i. se!eral o. the ladies #ill ,ast up their a,,ounts& espe,ially on,e the ,oa,h starts s#aying.D D$es& that thought had o,,urred to /e.D E//a put do#n her .or%. D: a/ sorry& <ady Beatri,e& .or presu/ing to in!ite the So,iety to /eet at Knightsdale. : ne!er #ould ha!e done so i. : had reali-ed ho#& u/& inopportune it #ould be.D Aunt Beatri,e hi,,upped. D"othing inopportune about it& /iss. Bad a #onder.ul ti/eC hadn>t seen the t#ins or Blan,he in ages. <i%ed <a!inia& too. 5on>t thin% the ladies #ill be .eeling too li!ely in the /orning& though. 5oubt they>ll be the .irst o. the guests to arri!e.D She rea,hed .or the #ine bottle. Charles /o!ed it. D?hen are your guests arri!ing& <ady Beatri,e@D DCharles>s guests& /iss. hat>s the point& don>t you %no#@ 3ind Charles a #i.e. "eeds to get hi/sel. an heir. 5on>t #ant the title to pass to Cousin Aubrey. hat idiot #ould probably s,rea/ i. he .ound a #o/an in his bed.D Aunt Bea leaned ,loser. D$ou #ant to %no# #hat : thin%@ :CD DAunt BeaG : a/ 1uite ,ertain #e do not #ant to %no# #hat you thin%.D D?ell& :>/ sure it>s true.D Aunt Bea stabbed a portion o. turbot and #a!ed it at +iss Peterson. D$ou ,ould sa!e us all a signi.i,ant a/ount o. trouble& /iss& i. you #ould Aust agree to /arry Charles no#. Be>s 1uite a ,at,h& you %no#.D DAuntGD D<ady Beatri,eGD Aunt Bea tasted the .ish. DBleahG errible.D Ber .or% ,lattered on her plate. She leaned ,lose to E//a again and nodded at Charles. DClean those spe,ta,les o. yours& girl& and loo% at the /an. hat>s no Cousin Aubrey sitting there. :>/ sure he>d /a%e getting an heir 1uite an e0perien,e. A/ : right& Charles@D Charles #as a.raid his .a,e #as as red as +iss Peterson>s.

D:. you>ll e0,use /e&D +iss Peterson said in a strangled !oi,e& getting to her .eet& D: really /ust. . . :>/ .eeling a tri.le . . .D DBot@D Aunt Bea said to +iss Peterson>s .leeing ba,%. D$ou should be .eeling hot& girl. hin% o. the shoulders on the /an. he legs. he thighs. heCD DAunt BeaGD She stopped and loo%ed at Charles. D$ou didn>t ha!e to yell& Charles. hought you #as used to plain tal%& but : s#ear you>re blushing /ore than +iss Peterson.D KKK Charles untied his ,ra!at. Be had .inally poured Aunt Bea into bedC#ell& he had turned her o!er to her long2su..ering /aid to deal #ithCand had .ound his o#n bed,ha/ber. D hat #ill be all& Benderson. : #on>t need you any/ore tonight.D DHery #ell& /y lord.D Be #at,hed the door ,lose behind his !alet. Be #anted to be alone. "eeded to be. "eeded to ,o/e to grips #ith . . . this. Be loo%ed around the roo/ at the dar% paintings& the hea!y .urniture& the huge bed. Eod. Be gripped the bedpost so tightly& the ,ar!ed ridges dug into his .ingers. Be shouldn>t be here. his #as his .ather>s roo/. Paul>s roo/. :t #as ne!er& e!er supposed to be his roo/. Poor Paul& ha!ing to /o!e in here #hen he #as only .ourteen. 3ather had died o. i/patien,e in an inn yard& s,rea/ing at a post boy #ho>d /o!ed too slo#ly .or his tastes. he inn%eeper had been /ost apologeti,& but Charles had understood ,o/pletely. Be>d /ade a!oiding his .ather>s short te/per and sharp tongue a high art. :t #as one reason he>d roa/ed the ,ountryside so /u,h. And he>d been only the se,ond son& hardly #orth 3ather>s noti,e. Paul had borne the brunt o. the /ar1uis>s attention. But at least Paul had been ready .or the tide. ?ell& not ready& perhapsC#ho ,ould be ready to ta%e o!er su,h !ast holdings so young@ But Paul had been bred to the AobChe had %no#n .ro/ the ,radle he #ould be the /ar1uis. :t #as Paul>s .ate& Paul>s destiny. "ot his. Be stripped o.. his shirt and .lung it a,ross the roo/.

Be re/e/bered that a.ternoon at ?hite>s as i. it #ere yesterday. Be>d been sitting #ith Robbie& the Earl o. ?estbroo%e. hey>d been ,elebrating their s/all role in bringing together their .riend Ia/es& the 5u%e o. Al!ord& and his #i.e& Sarah. Charles had been rolling a /outh.ul o. port on his tongue #hen the /essenger .ound the/. D+aAor Charles 5rays/ith@D 5read %notted his gut. Be %ne# .ro/ the /an>s stern& serious .a,e and sole/n tone that his li.e #as about to ,hange irre!ersibly. Be s#allo#ed 1ui,%ly. D$es@ : a/ +aAor 5rays/ith.D D: a/ sorry to in.or/ you& +aAor& that the +ar1uis o. Knightsdale and the /ar,hioness ha!e had a tragi, a,,ident.D 5a/n& da/n& da/n. Be .lung a#ay .ro/ the bed to stare out the #indo# at the dar% e0panse that #as Knightsdale. here #as no /oonF the ,louds #ere as thi,% as his .eelings. :n that /o/ent& #hen that da/n /essenger had told hi/ Paul #as dead& he had stopped being hi/sel.. Bis plans& his .uture& his identity all #ere stripped .ro/ hi/. Be>d be,o/e the +ar1uis o. Knightsdale. All that re/ained #ere the legal details. he hereto.ores and thereina.ters. Be snapped the ,urtains ,losed. Be ripped o.. his sto,%ings& his bree,hes& his dra#ers. Be #ould ha!e li%ed to ha!e ripped o.. his s%in. Es,ape this roo/& the title& all the un#anted responsibilities. Be ,ouldn>t. Knightsdale #as his duty no#C unsought& un#anted& but still his duty. :. the ar/y had taught hi/ anything& i. the years o. /ud and blood had i/printed anything on his soul& it #as duty. :t had be,o/e his one ,onstant in the /adness o. battle& the long /ar,hes& the days o. hunger& thirst& e0haustion. 5uty had ,arried hi/ through the Peninsula& and it #ould ,arry hi/ through here in England& too. 8nbidden& the /e/ory o. Claire ,rept into his thoughts& the sounds o. her happy s1ueals #hen he had pi,%ed her up in the s,hoolroo/& the .eel o. her baby2so.t ar/s around his ne,% and her s/all body& light as .eathers& in his hold. ?ell& perhaps it #as /ore than duty. Be stret,hed. And there #as +iss E//a Peterson. Bedding her #ould ,ertainly be /ore than /ere duty. Be i/agined her stret,hed out& na%ed& on his sheets. $es& she #ould de.initely /a%e this roo/& this bed& /ore appealing. Be ,hu,%led. At least one unruly part o. his anato/y #as 1uite inspired by the thought o. her lo!ely ,ur!es. Be ,li/bed into bed& .or,ing his . . . /ind to ignore its desire to ha!e +iss Peterson present. She /ight not be 1uite so delighted to see hi/.

Be should ha!e gone to her i//ediately a.ter dinner to apologi-e& but he suspe,ted she #ould not ha!e been happy to spea% to hi/ Aust then. She>d needed ti/e to regain her ,o/posure. ruth to tell& so had he. :t #as going to be a !ery interesting house party i. Aunt Bea re/ained so .ran%. Be /ade a /ental note to lo,% up all the brandy. Be #ould tal% to E//a in the /orning& be.ore the guests arri!ed. She #as an intelligent #o/an. She #ould see the #isdo/ in their /arriage. :t #as ob!ious she ,ared .or Claire and :sabelle. ?ell& anyone #ould lo!e ClaireCshe #as a s#eet baby. :sabelle& #ith her serious reser!e& #as harder to rea,h& yet she had been sitting ,lose to E//a& leaning into her and #hispering in her ear #hen he had ,o/e to the s,hoolroo/ earlier. And their /arriage #ould ha!e bene.its .or E//a as #ell. Charles s/iled up at the bed ,anopy. hough Re!erend Peterson hadn>t said a #ord& Charles #as ,ertain he and +rs. Eraha/ #ould be happy to ha!e E//a out o. the !i,arage. She #as t#enty2si0. :t #as past ti/e .or her to ha!e her o#n ho/e& her o#n .a/ilyCand he #as /ore than happy to pro!ide her #ith those things. +ore than happy. Be #ould espe,ially enAoy tea,hing her ho# delight.ul an a,ti!ity .a/ily2/a%ing ,ould be. :. her response to his %isses this a.ternoon #as any indi,ation& it #ould be 1uite an in!igorating e0er,ise.

Chapter
Charles #as in the /iddle o. a !ery satis.ying drea/. E//a Peterson #as in his bed. Ber honey2blond hair #as spread o!er his pillo#F his hands #ere spread o!er her glorious breasts. Ber .ingers stro%ed his ar/. B//. Another part o. hi/ #as a,hing .or her lo!ely .ingers. She slapped his shoulder& and he paused. Be had ne!er played those ga/es be.ore. . . . DPapa Charles& #a%e upGD Charles>s eyes .le# open. Be #as staring into Claire>s .a,e& only in,hes .ro/ his nose. D8/& Claire.D Charles #as !ery ,ons,ious o. being star% na%ed under his sheets. Be>d ha!e to /a%e a point o. lo,%ing his door i. the little girl had a habit o. sleep#al%ing. D:s there a reason you are here@D >DCourse& Papa Charles. $ou ha!e to ,o/e 1ui,%. here>s a ghost in the nursery.D D"o#& Claire& you>!e probably Aust had a bad drea/. 5id you tell "anny@D Claire shoo% her head& sending her ,urls boun,ing around her s/all .a,e. DShe>s s,rea/ing too loud.D "anny@ Cal/& no nonsense "anny@ D?hy is "anny s,rea/ing@D Claire rolled her eyes and slapped his shoulder again. D: told you. here>s a ghost. +a/a Peterson sent /e to get you. "o# hurry up& Papa Charles. $ou need to ,at,h the ghost.D DRight.D Claire resorted to tugging on his ar/. here #as no ti/e to pull on his bree,hesCnor did it loo% as i. Claire #as going to allo# hi/ the pri!a,y to do soC so he yan%ed the sheet o.. the bed and #rapped it around his body. Be grabbed a ,ra!at pin to .asten his /a%eshi.t toga as Claire pushed hi/ out the door. hey en,ountered Aunt Bea in the hall #earing a pu,e dressing go#n #ith gold tassels& a s,arlet night,ap& and a !ery pained e0pression. Jueen Bess& loo%ing e1ually annoyed& s#ished her tail at Aunt Bea>s .eet. D?hat in Eod>s na/e is all this ra,%et@ Can>t : be le.t to die in pea,e@D DApparently no one is resting in pea,e tonight& AuntCand i. you hadn>t gotten so deep into the brandy bottle& you #ouldn>t .eel near death no#.D DAnd : suppose you>!e ne!er been Aug bitten@D

DIug bitten@ :>d say you #ere /ore than Aug bitten.D Claire tugged on his ar/ again. DCo/e on& Papa Charles. he ghost #ill get a#ay.D Charles #ent #ith Claire. Aunt Bea and Jueen Bess .ollo#ed behind. D?hat did Claire ,all you@D D"e!er /ind.D D hat>s 1uite so/e ense/ble you>re #earing.D Charles grunted. :t #as di..i,ult to /o!e 1ui,%lyC his legs %ept getting tangled in the sheet. And stairs #ere i/possible. DBo# do you ladies /anage@D he as%ed a.ter he>d tripped .or the .ourth ti/e. DBetter than you& ob!iously. Oh& get out o. the #ay and let /e pass& #ill you@D D?hat i. there is a ghost@D D:>/ sure it has been s,ared a#ay by no#. : ,an hear "anny ,ater#auling .ro/ here.D hey .inally rea,hed the nursery. +iss PetersonC dressed in a long #hite nightgo#n #ith a ne,% to her ,hin& Charles noted in disappoint/entC#as trying to ,al/ "anny. :sabelle stood nearby& holding Prinny. D: brought Papa Charles& +a/a Peterson&D Claire said. hat #as the last ,oherent state/ent .or /any /inutes. "anny loo%ed at Charles and s,rea/ed. Jueen Bess loo%ed at Prinny and hissed. Prinny loo%ed at Jueen Bess and ho#led. Aunt Bea too% one loo% at the s,ene and put her head in her hands. D+y Eod&D she /uttered. D ell /e :>/ hallu,inating. Please.D Prinny& bar%ing #ildly& ,harged at Jueen Bess& #ho .lu..ed up to t#i,e her si-e and tried to ,li/b Charles>s toga. Charles& ,onsidering hi/sel. a gentle/an at all ti/es& grabbed his sheet to %eep .ro/ parting ,o/pany #ith it and tried !aliantly to #ithhold the /any phrases that begged to be uttered as her /aAesty>s sharp ,la#s dug into his s%in. Be #as not ,o/pletely su,,ess.ul& as he sur/ised .ro/ Claire>s round eyes and indra#n breath. DOoh& +a/a Peterson& Papa Charles said a bad #ord.D

E//a do!e& ,apturing Prinny>s hind legs and treating Charles to a gli/pse o. a #ell2 turned an%le be.ore he heard an o/inous ripping and .elt .ur and air on his o#n an%les. DAunt& ,o/e get your bioCblasted ,at.D Aunt Bea un,o!ered her eyes. D: %ne# you /ust ha!e ni,e legs& Charles. See& +iss Peterson@ "o need .or .alse ,al!es #ith those legs.D Charles ,ouldn>t tell i. the heat he #as .eeling #as .ro/ /orti.i,ation or .ury. D+ada/& ,orral your ani/al.D DReally& Charles& #e are not on a battle.ield. ?ell& perhaps #e are a bit& but you ,an lo#er your !oi,e. $ou>re s,aring her highness.D D: #ill do /ore than s,are the .CD DCharlesG Re/e/ber& you are a gentle/an.D DC.eline i. you don>t pi,% her up no#GD Aunt Bea s,ooped Jueen Bess o.. the .loor and held her ne0t to her .a,e. D here& there& puss. he e!il /an didn>t /ean it.D D5idn>t : Aust&D Charles /uttered. Be too% sto,%Chis legs #ere e0posed& s,rat,hed and bleeding& but all his essential parts #ere ,o!ered. As #ere& un.ortunately& all o. +iss Peterson>s. She #as staring at his legs& ho#e!er. DOh& /y lord& your poor legs. :>ll Aust get so/e #ar/ #ater to bathe the/& shall :@D he thought o. +iss Peterson bathing his legs ,aused the s%irt o. his no#2short toga to bulge in a re/ar%able #ay. Be ,ould see Aunt Bea opening her /outh to re/ar% on it. Be turned to "anny. At least she had the gra,e not to ogle hi/. DCan so/eone tell /e #hat this is all about@ "anny@D "anny #rung her hands. DOh& /y lord& : #as ne!er so .rightened in all /y li.e. : thought : heard a noise& so : got up to ,he,% on the dear la/bs and : sa# so/ething in the hall. : s,rea/ed& and it .loated o!er the .loor and !anished right there.D She pointed at a spot near the s,hoolroo/ shel!es. D: heard its ,hains ,rea% and rattle& : did.D D: see.D Sin,e Aunt Bea ,ontinued to hold Jueen Bess& +iss Peterson had let Prinny .ree. he dog #as sni..ing around the spot "anny had indi,ated. DSo& you sa# the ghost !anish Aust #here Prinny is no#@D D+y lord@D "anny loo%ed ,on.used.

D here&D Charles said. D?here PrinnyC+iss Peterson>s dogCis.D D+iss Peterson>s dog@ OhG E0,use /e& /y lord.D "anny disappeared into her bedroo/ and ,a/e out a /o/ent later #earing her spe,ta,les. DAh& that>s better. Aye& : thin% it #as e0a,tly #here the dear doggy is no#.D Charles stared at the old #o/an. D"anny& #hy did you s,rea/ #hen : ,a/e upstairs@D D: thought ye #ere the ghost returned& /y lord.D She loo%ed at hi/ ,losely. D$e do ha!e a rather odd& u/& out.it on& do ye not@ :s it a ,ostu/e@ ?ere ye at a /as1uerade& then& dressed as one o. those Ro/an gents@D D"o& "anny.D Be glan,ed at +iss Peterson. She #as studying the .loor by her .eetCher !ery ni,e .eet& Charles notedCand /a%ing odd little ,ho%ing sounds& but at least she had thought to don her spe,ta,les. D5id you see this apparition as #ell& +iss Peterson@D D"oDCshe tried !aliantly to sti.le her laughterC D/y lord.D She s#allo#ed. DBy the ti/e : le.t /y roo/& it& uh& it had !anished.D She grabbed her sides and bent o!er& #hooping #ith laughter. D: a/ so delighted you .ind the situation a/using& +iss Peterson.D E//a #a!ed her hand at hi/& ob!iously unable to spare the breath to spea%. ears ran do#n her ,hee%s. D$ou do loo% e0tre/ely .unny& Charles&D Aunt Bea said& Dthough : belie!e +iss Peterson>s rea,tion /ight be a tri.le o!erdone.D DPardon /e& <ady B2Beatri,e&D E//a said& going o.. into ho#ls again. :sabelle and Claire #ere giggling as #ell. DB//.D Charles sur/ised that the DghostD had been a .ig/ent o. "anny>s i/agination. Still& he ,ould not ignore the .a,t that e!en though +iss Peterson and the girls #ere a/used& "anny #as not. She tried to s/ile& but her eyes and /outh #ere tense. D:. you ladies .eel you ,an .inish out the night up here&D Charles said& D#e #ill .ind you sleeping a,,o//odations do#nstairs to/orro#. ?ould that be a,,eptable@D +iss Peterson .inally got hold o. her e/otions. DCertainly& /y lord. ?e #ill be .ine.D DAunt& #e do ha!e roo/ do#nstairs& do #e not@D D$es. :t #ill be a bit ,ro#dedC/ost o. the bed,ha/bers #ill be ta%en #ith the house party guestsC but :>/ ,ertain #e ,an .ind the spa,e.D

DSplendid. hen : #ish you ladies good night.D Charles pi,%ed up the torn end o. his sheet& gesturing .or Aunt Bea and Jueen Bess to pre,ede hi/ do#n the stairs. As he rea,hed the .irst turn& he heard "anny>s !oi,e. D+er,y& +iss Peterson& but his lordship does ha!e ni,e legs.D KKK E//a hung her last go#n in the #ardrobe. Ber ball go#n. :t #as silly to ha!e pa,%ed it& and yet . . . She ne!er should ha!e bought the ,loth. :t had been sho,%ingly sel.2indulgent. A /ad e0tra!agan,e. hat #as it. +adness had ,o/e o!er her #hen she>d seen the blue satin in +r. Ash.ord>s store. She>d had to ha!e a length o. it. ?ell& e!en +eg had li%ed the ,olor C said it re/inded her o. the a.ternoon s%y in early autu/n. hat had beenC#hat@C .our years ago. E//a ran her .ingers o!er the sil%y .abri,& tra,ing the dress>s narro# bodi,e& high #aist& and straight s%irt. ?ell& perhaps buying the ,loth had been understandable& but letting +rs. Cro.t& the !illage /antua2/a%er& /a%e this dress had been luna,y. ?hat had she been thin%ing@ ?hat had +rs. Cro.t been thin%ing@ he dress #as /u,h too re!ealing .or a !i,ar>s daughter& espe,ially one #ho #as .ir/ly on the shel.. he .abri, barely ,o!ered her breasts and ,lung li%e #ater to e!erything else. She had been sho,%ed #hen she had tried it on. Sho,%edCand entran,ed. he #o/an #ho>d loo%ed ba,% at her .ro/ the /irror had been a stranger& a sophisti,ated& !oluptuous& glorious stranger. She>d hung the dress at the ba,% o. her #ardrobe& ne!er to be #orn. <oo%ed at& perhapsF drea/ed about& de.initelyF but #orn@ "e!er. 8ntil no#. E//a ga!e the go#n one last pat be.ore ,losing the #ardrobe door. She #ould #ear it at the house party ball. :t #as sadly out o. date and #ould doubtless loo% 1uite ordinary a/ong all the <ondon .inery ,ertain to be on display& but that ,ould not be helped. ?ould she loo% li%e the #o/an she>d seen in the /irror .our years ago@ "o. She #ould not delude hersel.. She>d spent .our /ore years on the shel.C she #as 1uite dusty no#C and in any e!ent& she #as sure she /ust ha!e e/bellished the /e/ory. o thin% that she ,ould be that beauti.ul. . . absurd. he #o/an in the /irror #as the sort Charles #ould ad/ire& the sort #ho thought nothing o. letting /en put their tongC E//a .lushed and too% a deep breath. he sort o. #o/an #ho %ne# all about %issing. She #as de.initely not that sort o. #o/an.

She sat on the #indo# seat& the /orning sun #ar/ing her ba,%. Ber ne# roo/ #as not /u,h larger than her roo/ on the nursery .loor& but it #as /ore la!ishly appointed. he bedstead& instead o. si/ple bee,h& #as /ahogany& and the #ardrobe& #ashstand& and des% #ere .ar ni,er than e!en those in her roo/ at the !i,arage. And this #as one o. the s/allest bedroo/s& le.t .or last2/inute guests su,h as hersel.. "anny and the girls #ere in a larger roo/ a,ross the hall. She ,losed her eyes& letting the heat o. the sun rela0 her ne,%. She had not slept #ell last night. here had been that ridi,ulous in,ident #ith the ghost. ?hy hadn>t she reali-ed "anny did not ha!e her spe,ta,les on@ She .elt so stupid. But she had thought there #as an intruder in the nursery& and she ,ould not ris% the girls> sa.ety. So she had done the only thing she ,ould thin% to doCshe had sent Claire running to get Charles. She s/iled& re/e/bering his out.it. Be had loo%ed so .unny. 3unny and in,redibly attra,ti!e. "anny and <ady Beatri,e #ere ,orre,tCCharles had ni,e legs. ?onder.ul legs. "ot that she had e!er seen a pair o. bare /ale legs be.ore& o. ,ourse. And not Aust his legs had been re!ealed to her interested ga-e. Bis ar/s& his ne,%& his shoulders& part o. his ,hest. Be>d loo%ed Aust li%e a statue o. a Eree% god& e0,ept he #as ali!e. ?ar/. 3lesh and blood. Suddenly the sun strea/ing in the #indo# #as too hot. She /o!ed to the ,hair on the other side o. the roo/. ?hat #as the /atter #ith her@ ?as she si,%@ She>d spent all night drea/ing o. Charles. ?ell& she had drea/t o. hi/ be.ore& but no# she had so /any /ore details. +ore& but not 1uite enough. She did not %no# ho# he .elt. She .lushed. Bo# #antonC she #anted to tou,h hi/. o be tou,hed by hi/. o .eel his ar/s around her. o run her .ingers o!er his /us,les& the hair dusting his ,hest. ?as it so.t or #iry@ And his s%inCall that glorious s%inCho# #ould it .eel under her .ingers@ She had drea/t o. his %isses also. he .irst one& the 1ui,%& tantali-ing brush& and the se,ond& the hot& #et se,ond %iss #ith his lips and /outh and tongC She .anned hersel. #ith her hand. Ber body .elt e0tre/ely odd thin%ing o. that %iss. She had a,tually throbbed in a /ost unusual pla,e last night. he sa/e lo,ation .elt distressingly da/p at the /o/ent. 5a/p and& #ell& needy. Perhaps it #as ti/e she /arried. She had not seriously ,onsidered it be.ore& but& as Charles had said& +eg #as no# se!enteen. Certainly her .ather no longer needed her. Be had +rs. Eraha/& and& though he had ne!er said so& E//a #as ,on!in,ed he #ould be happy to ha!e her /o!e out o. the !i,arage. he only #ay she ,ould do that #as to .ind a husband. Perhaps /arriage #ould also ,ure her o. her ne# . . . yearnings. But she #ouldn>t /arry Charles. She ,ouldn>t& e!en though it appeared that he and his aunt had sele,ted her. She>d

thought she>d e0pire .ro/ e/barrass/ent at dinner last night. <ady Beatri,e #as too plainspo%en .or her o#n goodCor E//a>s good. Surely she #ould not say su,h things on,e the house party arri!edG "o& Charles had only suggested she #ed hi/ be,ause he didn>t #ant to be bothered ,ourting so/e so,iety /iss. hat #ould ,hange today. oday he #ould ha!e a sele,tion o. attra,ti!e young ladies near at hand. Be #ould not ha!e to e0ert hi/sel. in the slightest. Be ,ould sit in the dra#ing roo/ and ha!e the/ parade past& as i. he #ere ,hoosing a ne# horse .or his stable. here #ere ,ertain to be any nu/ber #ho #ere #illing to sell the/sel!es .or a tide. She #as not one o. the/. 5e.initely not. And any#ay& it #as ludi,rous to thin% Charles #ould #ant an aging spinster on,e he sur!eyed all the younger possibilities. She #ent ba,% to the #indo#. Ber ne# roo/ had a good !ie# o. the broad .ront dri!e. :t #as e/pty no#& but in a .e# hours it #ould be .illed #ith tra!eling ,arriages bringing their sa,ri.i,ial #o/en. Surely a sele,tion o. unatta,hed /en #ould also be in attendan,e. Charles ,ould ,hoose only one o. the ladiesCthere #ould ha!e to be a .e# e0tra /ales a!ailable. Perhaps one o. those ,ould ,are .or herC.or hersel.& not her breeding potential. :t /ight be possible. :n any e!ent& this #as the ,losest she #ould e!er ,o/e to a Season and the <ondon +arriage +art. She #ould ta%e this opportunity to do a little shopping. K K K D+eg.D E//a had seen her sister arri!e and hurried do#nstairs to /eet her. +eg #as s,o#ling. D$ou are e!il& E//a&D she hissed under her breath. D+egG ?hy e!er #ould you say su,h a thing@D rue& E//a had not e0pe,ted +eg to be enthusiasti, about the house party in!itation& but stillCit #as a #onder.ul opportunity .or her to get so/e so,ial e0perien,e. D$ou>re the one #ho put this house party bee in Papa>s bonnet& aren>t you@D E//a ,ho%ed. DPapa doesn>t #ear a bonnet.D +eg #as not a/used. D$ou %no# e0a,tly #hat : /ean. 5id you or did you not ,o/e to the !i,arage and in!ite /e to this ridi,ulous house party@D D: belie!e <ord Knightsdale e0tended the in!itation. And the party is not ridi,ulous. $ou ,an stand to /o!e a/ong the ton a bit.D

D5on>t split hairs. $ou #ere there& #eren>t you@ $ou ,ould ha!e pre!ented the in!itation. And : don>t #ant to /o!e a/ong the ton. he ton is a ,olle,tion o. /utton2headed ,o0,o/bs and spoiled ,hits. : #ant to be out in S1uire Begley>s north .ield. : .ound a !ery interesting pat,h o.C <ud& #hat is that@D E//a turned to see <ady Beatri,e approa,hing. She #as attired in a stunning go#n o. /ulberry and pea green today& #ith an assort/ent o. ostri,h .eathers #a!ing a/ong her gray ,urls. +eg de.initely loo%ed stunned. Ber eyes #idened and she darted a disbelie!ing loo% at E//a. E//a .ro#ned at her& #illing her sister to ha!e the /anners not to ,o//ent on their hostess>s unusual .ashion sense. D<ady Beatri,e& /ay : introdu,e /y sister +eg@D +eg ,urtsied. D han% you .or in!iting /e& <ady Beatri,e.D D$ou are !ery #el,o/e& dear.D <ady Beatri,e turned to +r. <a/bert. DBa!e Eeorge ta%e +iss +argaret Peterson>s bags up to the yello# bedroo/& #ill you& <a/bert@D DCertainly& /y lady.D <ady Beatri,e s/iled and turned ba,% to +eg. D$ou %no#& : ha!e #onder.ul plans .or your sister.D E//a sti..ened. D$ou do@D +eg grinned. :t #as ob!ious she had noti,ed E//a>s dis,o/.iture. D?hat /ight those plans be@D E//a prayed .or the .loor to open and s#allo# her& but& #onders o. #onders& <ady Beatri,e ,ontented hersel. #ith an ar,h loo%. D:t>s a bit pre/ature to say.D E//a allo#ed hersel. a s/all sigh o. relie.. DBut it does in!ol!eCD D<ady Beatri,e& u/& did you sleep #ell last night@D :nterrupting one>s hostess #as rude& but E//a #as ,ertain strangling her #as a greater sole,is/. Still& the sele,tion o. last e!ening>s e!ents as a ,hange o. topi, #as not inspired. <ady Beatri,e .ro#ned. D"o& indeed. : barely slept a #in%& #hat #ith that spe,tral disturban,e and /y #ret,hed head. 5o not drin% brandy& +eg. At least not in e0,ess.D

DBrandy@ Spe,tral disturban,e@D +eg /ur/ured #hile <ady Beatri,e rubbed her .orehead. DPerhaps this #ill not be su,h a boring gathering a.ter all.D DBush.D D?hat did you say& dear@ :>/ a.raid : #asn>t attending.D D"othing& <ady Beatri,e. :>/ Aust happy that last night>s e!ents turned out to be nothing signi.i,ant.D E//a sa# +eg>s eyes #ere bright #ith 1uestions& but .ortunately Charles ,hose that /o/ent to appear. DEood /orning& ladies. 5id : hear you say this is your sister& +iss Peterson@D D$es& /y lord.D Charles too% +eg>s hand. DA pleasure to /eet you& +iss +argaret. he last ti/e #e en,ountered ea,h other& you #ere still in leading2strings.D +eg rolled her eyes& but she did s/ile. DPlease& <ord Knightsdale& ,all /e +eg. "o one ,alls /e +argaret.D D+eg& then. : belie!e you>ll .ind your dog in the nursery.D D+y dog@D DPrinny&D E//a said. D$our dog& Prinny.D D: don>t %no# #hy you insist Prinny is /y dog& E//a. : /ay ha!e na/ed hi/ #hen he #as a puppy& but you>re the one he thin%s he belongs to. Probably be,ause you>re the one #ho re/e/bers to .eed hi/.D his #as a .a/iliar argu/ent. E//a too% a deep breath and tried to sound ,al/. D$ou %no# Prinny>s supposed to %eep you ,o/pany on the long ra/bles you insist on ta%ing. Be>s your prote,tion #hen you are out in the .ields alone.D DB//. Ba!e you told Prinny this@ On the odd o,,asion he ,o/es #ith /e& he>s o.. ,hasing rabbits. : don>t #ant hi/ #ith /e. Be tra/ples the spe,i/ens.D DSpe,i/ens@D Charles as%ed. D:>/ !ery interested in plants& /y lord.D D+y lady& +r. Sto,%ley is arri!ing&D +r. <a/bert said.

DAh& the beau.D +eg grinned at E//a. D:t #ill be rather hard to a!oid the /an i. he>s a guest also& #on>t it& E//a@D D he beau@D Charles raised an eyebro# as <ady Beatri,e #ent o.. to greet her ne# guest. E//a #ould gladly ha!e #rung her sister>s ne,%. D:t>s nothing& /y lord. +eg is only .unning.D She shot +eg a loo% that #arned o. dire ,onse1uen,es should she pursue this topi,. +eg ignored her. D+r. Sto,%ley has been a .re1uentCor should : say ,onstantC!isitor at the !i,arage sin,e he /o!ed into +r. At#orthy>s house. :>!e /issed stu/bling o!er hi/ sin,e E//a ,a/e up here. Be>s 1uite s/itten.D D: see. hen : a/ so glad #e en,ountered hi/ on the road yesterday and in!ited hi/ to Aoin the party.D D$es& it #as 1uite .ortunate& #as it not@ Co/e& +eg& :>ll help you settle into your roo/.D E//a grabbed +eg>s ar/ and .led upstairs.

D?hat #as that about@D D?hat #as #hat about@D E//a loo%ed around +eg>s roo/. :t #as slightly larger than her o#n. D hat gallop up the stairs. :>/ rather out o. breath.D D:>/ sure : don>t %no# #hat you are spea%ing o..D +eg>s roo/ .a,ed the ba,% o. the house. She had a !ery pleasant !ie# o. the gardens and the la%e. DE//a& #hat is going on bet#een you and the /ar1uis@D D"othingGD 5id she really s1uea% #hen she said that@ Surely not. D?hy #ould you thin% anything #as going on bet#een <ord Knightsdale and /e@D DE//a& : /ay be so,ially ine0perien,ed& but : a/ not stupid. $ou are usually as staid as an ar,hbishop& but do#nstairs Aust no# you a,ted as i. you #ere #alt-ing bare.oot o!er hot ,oals. ?ould you ,are to e0plain@D D"o. : /ean& there is nothing to e0plain. :>/ /erely the te/porary go!erness.D DOh@ And #here are the ,hildren@D

D?hat@D +eg put her hands on her hips. D he ,hildren. Eo!ernesses usually ta%e ,are o. ,hildren& do they not@D DOh. Oh& yes. :sabelle and Claire. $ou %no# the/& +eg.D DO. ,ourse : %no# the/& dear sister. :. you are their go!erness& e!en only te/porarily& #hy are you not go!ernessing@D DEood point. :>/ lea!ing no#. ?el,o/e to Knightsdale.D E//a ,losed the door on +eg>s laughter.

So Sto,%ley #as ta%en #ith E//a& #as he@ 3or the .irst ti/e Charles #as happy to ha!e a title so he ,ould sho!e it do#n this t#iddlepoop>s throat. Be #at,hed the /an ta%e out his 1ui--ing2glass and e0a/ine a large .lo#ered urn by the door& going so .ar as to li.t the lid and peer inside. D<oo%ing .or so/ething& Sto,%ley@D he little .op Au/ped& /a%ing the !ase teeter on its pedestal. Charles steadied it. D+y lord& you startled /e. : #as Aust ad/iring this .ine #or%/anship. :s it .ro/ the +ing dynasty& do you %no#@D DBa!en>t the .oggiest. $ou>re interested in ,ro,%ery@D DArt& /y lord. Art. $es& : a/ !ery interested in all things !aluableCstatuary& paintings& Ae#els.D D:ndeed@D Charles #ondered i. he should lo,% up the sil!er. ?hat had E//a>s .ather been thin%ing& letting this bounder o!er the !i,arage threshold@ ?hat had he been thin%ing@ Be>d in!ited the .ello# to Knightsdale& hadn>t he@ Be #ould Aust need to %eep an eye on E//a. A !ery ,lose eye. :t #as his duty as her host. DCharles& the So,iety ladies are here.D DRight. Co/ing& Aunt.D Charles turned ba,% to Sto,%ley. D: hope you enAoy your stay at Knightsdale. 5o you need help .inding your bed,ha/ber@D

DOh& no& /y lord. :>/ 1uite ,apable o. .inding /y #ay.D Sto,%ley>s lips t#it,hed and he bo#ed. Charles #at,hed hi/ /ount the stairs. DAunt& you didn>t put Sto,%ley in a bed,ha/ber near E//a& did you@D DO. ,ourse not& Charles. ?hat %ind o. a ninnyha//er do you ta%e /e .or@ : s#it,hed his roo/ #ith +iss Russell>s this /orning& #hen #e /o!ed +iss Peterson do#n .ro/ the nursery. Be>s at the .ar end o. the east #ing. ?ouldn>t #ant hi/ /ista%ing his door in the night& #ould #e@D D5e.initely not.D Charles stood by a #indo# in the study& loo%ing out at the gardens and the la%e. All the guests had arri!ed. :t #as ,ertainly an odd ,olle,tion. ?ell& the husband2hunting /a/as and their daughters and the assort/ent o. unatta,hed gentle/en #ere not so unusual. :t #as the addition o. the ladies o. E//a>s So,iety that /ade the guest list interesting. Add brandy& and the ton /ight ne!er be the sa/e. DCharles& did : Aust see the 3arthington t#ins in the ,orridor@D Charles s/iled as Robbie Ba/ilton& the Earl o. ?estbroo%e& slipped into the study. D$ou did indeed.D DEa#d. : need brandy. ?here do you %eep the stu..@D D:n the ,ase thereCi. there>s any le.t. Iust be sure you don>t let the t#ins ,at,h a s,ent o. it.D Robbie paused& his hand on the ,or%. DBrandy and the 3arthington t#ins@D Charles laughed. D ea,ups .ull. : .ound the entire So,iety .or the Better/ent o. ?o/en C/inus +iss PetersonCa#ash in /y dra#ing roo/. Bad to pour the ladies into /y ,arriage to get the/ ho/e.D D he thought boggles the /ind.D Robbie .illed t#o glasses and handed one to Charles. DBesides the inebriated elders& ho# ha!e you .ound things& /y .riend@D D?ell& : belie!e.D Charles sipped the a/ber li1uid& sa!oring the #ar/th that slid .ro/ his tongue to his ,hest. D:t appears Paul in!ested #isely& so as .ar as : ,an tell :>!e got ade1uate .unds. : straightened that all out #hen : #as in <ondon.D D hat>s a relie.. And the estate itsel.@D

Charles shrugged. DColes& the estate /anager& see/s ,o/petent. : Aust got here yesterday and :>!e had other& u/& a..airs to attend to. :>!e pro/ised to gi!e hi/ so/e ti/e to/orro# /orning.D Be .ro#ned& loo%ing into his glass& s#irling his brandy slo#ly. Be .elt the solid #eight o. Robbie>s hand on his shoulder. D$ou %no# you ,an ,all on /e& i. you need to.D Charles nodded. D: %no#& Robbie.D Be ,lasped Robbie>s ar/ brie.ly. D: %no#.D Robbie grinned. D: Aust ha!e /ore e0perien,e #ith this peer business. And running an estate& o. ,ourse.D DO. ,ourse.D D5id Coles ha!e anything else to say@D DIust that : ta%e it Paul #as pretty /u,h an absentee landlord a.ter he /arried Ce,ilia. Coles has been rather blunt in e0pressing his hope that : intend to be in residen,e /ore .re1uently.D DCe,ilia did li%e <ondon.D DAnd apparently any estate other than Knightsdale.D Robbie spra#led into one o. the ,hairs by the .ire. DShe needed so,iety>s ,onstant attention.D D<ea!ing her ,hildren #ith !ery little o. hers.D D here is that. But /any ,hildren gro# up #ith only the ser!ants to raise the/. : daresay : didn>t see /y parents abo!e .i!e or si0 ti/es a yearCand : don>t suppose you spent /u,h ti/e #ith yours either& did you@ D"o.D Charles Aoined Robbie by the .ire. D: didn>t #ant to see /y .ather. $ou re/e/ber his te/per.D Robbie nodded. DAnd your /other@D Charles sighed. D"ot so di..erent .ro/ Ce,ilia.D DAnd did you /ind@D D"ot that : ,an re,all. But /y nie,esDCCharles too% another sip o. brandyCDthe little one ,alls /e Papa Charles.D D?hat>s this@D a /an said .ro/ the door#ay. DAre you a .ather& Charles@ +y .eli,itations Cthough it /ight be ad!isable to a,1uire a #i.e be.ore you begin to .ill your nursery.D

D Ia/esGD Charles stood to greet the 5u%e o. Al!ord. DBo# is Sarah@D DJuite #ell& than% you.D DE0pe,ting the ne0t du%e& : hear&D Robbie said. Ia/es grinned. DPerhaps.D DReally@D Charles o..ered Ia/es the brandy bottle. D his ,alls .or a drin%.D DIust be sure you>!e shut the study door& Ia/es. Charles tells /e that the 3arthington t#ins are partial to brandy.D DReally@ : ne!er #ould ha!e guessed. And #as that +iss Russell : sa# e0a/ining the statuary upstairs@D D+ost li%ely&D Charles said. D5id she ha!e a s/all /an #ith her@D Ia/es>s eyebro#s shot up. D"e!er say +iss Russell has a beau@D Robbie laughed. D his is de.initely going to be an interesting house party i. that>s the ,ase. 5id you %no# Charles got the ladies drun%@D D: did not get the ladies drun%& Robbie. Aunt Bea did that. : #asn>t e!en ho/e #hen they bro%e into /y brandy.D D: see.D Ia/es grinned. DOr rather& : don>t see. ?ho is the little /an #ho is ,ourting +iss Russell@D D+r. Albert Sto,%ley& and he is not ,ourting +iss Russell. : .ound hi/ e0a/ining the !ase in the entry hall on his arri!al and thought perhaps he had Aoined +iss Russell in appre,iating Knightsdale>s art.D D hin% Sto,%ley /ight be so/e#hat light2.ingered@D Ia/es as%ed. Charles shrugged. DPerhaps. : don>t li%e the /an.D DSo #hy did you in!ite hi/@D Robbie .ro#ned. D:sn>t he the ,o0,o/b #ho>s renting At#orthy>s house@D D$es. 5o you %no# anything about hi/@D DCan>t say that : do. Bo# about you& Ia/es@D D"o.D Ia/es grinned. D:>!e had /y /ind on other /atters.D

D: bet you ha!e.D Robbie rolled his eyes. D he Al!ord ladies .led to Brighton to gi!e your& u/& /ind the opportunity .or ,o/plete ,on,entration.D DBad to do /y duty& a.ter all& and see to the su,,ession. And you>ll be happy to hear that Aunt Eladys& <ady A/anda& and <i--ie are ba,% in residen,e. <i--ie is Aoining the house party to/orro#.D DSo is little <i--ie also Aoining the pa,% o. young /isses baying a.ter the ne# /ar1uis here@D D: don>t belie!e <i--ie is interested in Charles& Robbie.D DAnd :>/ not interested in any o. the young ladies&D Charles said. D$ou>re not@ So #hy ha!e you ,olle,ted this s,hool o. ballroo/ barra,udas@ : s#ear : sa# <ady 5unlee and +rs. 3ra/pton glaring at ea,h other in the hall. :. you are not the ba,helor /orsel to be tossed into their Aa#s& #ho is@D Robbie put up the hand that #asn>t holding his brandy. D:t ain>t going to be /e.D D?ell& it ,an>t be /e& ,an it@D Ia/es said. DAnd i. Charles here is un#illing . . .D D"o. :>/ too young .or a leg sha,%le.D D here are other unatta,hed /en present&D Charles said& Dso you need not .ear.D DOh& no@ : a/ not so ,ertain. :. the ladies ,an>t ha!e a /ar1uis& they /ay pursue a /ere earl. "o& : shall ha!e /y !alet ,he,% /y bed,ha/ber thoroughly .or any stray /isses be.ore : retire ea,h night& and : #ill ,are.ully a!oid all se,luded areas o. your lo!ely estate.D Robbie too% another sip. DPerhaps :>ll Aust atta,h /ysel. to your Aunt BeaCshe>ll ha!e no trouble routing any en,roa,hing /isses& and : understand she>s 1uite .ree #ith the brandy bottle.D DA splendid idea& Robbie& DIa/es said. Be leaned ba,% in his ,hair. DBo#e!er& : still don>t understand #hy you in!ited all these people here& Charles& i. you ha!e no interest in sele,ting a bride. :>/ 1uite ,ertain that lo!ely <ady 5unlee and ,har/ing +rs. 3ra/pton did not drag their delight.ul& /arriage2hungry daughters do#n to Knightsdale .or the s,eneryCunless& o. ,ourse& the s,enery in,luded the sight o. you slipping the Knightsdale engage/ent ring on one o. their progeny>s .ingers.D D$es& : understand that. : thought : #as in the /ar%et& but :>!e already .ound a suitable bride.D DOh@ And #ho /ight this paragon be@D Ia/es as%ed. D+iss E//a Peterson.D

D he !i,ar>s daughter@D D"ot only the !i,ar>s daughter& Ia/es&D Robbie said& ,hu,%ling. DShado#.D DShado#@ ?ho@ Oh& yes& : re/e/ber. he little girl #ho used to dog Charles>s steps #hen #e #ere boys. hat #as +iss Peterson& #asn>t it@D DAnd i. you ha!en>t noti,edDCRobbie grinnedC Dand o. ,ourse you ha!en>t& being a /arried /anC +iss Peterson is no longer a little girl.D D?at,h yoursel.& Robbie.D Charles #as surprised by the surge o. annoyan,e he .elt at Robbie>s slightly leering tone. D:>ll broo% no disrespe,t o. +iss Peterson.D DOh& : al#ays respe,t /y elders.D DElders@ +iss Peterson is only t#enty2si0.D DAs a/ :& /y .riend. $ou are the graybeard at thirty. "o& : belie!e +iss Peterson is t#o /onths older than :C: !aguely re/e/ber getting into an argu/ent #ith her on the subAe,t #hen : turned ten.D DEentle/en& let us not hear%en ba,% to our in.an,y.D Ia/es raised his glass. DCongratulations are in order. ?hen #ill you be announ,ing your betrothal& Charles@D DSoon.D DAt the ball@D Robbie as%ed. D hat #ould be the /ost appropriate ti/e. Perhaps you ,an %eep the other ladies guessing until then so they>ll lea!e /e alone.D D$es. At the ball.D Charles re/e/bered the sound o. the ,hina dog shattering on the study door. D: hope. here are a .e# /atters still to be resol!ed.D

Chapter !
D:. the <ondon Season is anything li%e this& : a/ glad to ha!e /issed it.D D+eg& %eep your !oi,e do#n.D E//a pushed her sister dis,reetly in the ba,% to get her to step into the dra#ing roo/. A sea o. ,on!ersation #ashed o!er the/. Elegant <ondon ladies in .ashionable dresses ,hatted #ith gentle/en in elaborate ,ra!ats and tight2.itting bla,% ,oats. E//a .elt /ore than a little do#dy. She sear,hed .or a .a/iliar .a,eCand sa# <ady Beatri,e& resplendent in a ,ri/son go#n #ith %nots o. li/e green ribbons& laughing uproariously #ith +rs. Begley. he li1uid in their glasses loo%ed suspi,iously li%e brandy. ?here #ere the other /e/bers o. the So,iety .or the Better/ent o. ?o/en@ E//a spotted the 3arthington t#ins in the .ar ,orner e0a/ining a large painting o. a na%ed #o/an& a /ostly na%ed /an& and a sprin%ling o. .at ,herubs. +iss Esther pointed to the /an>s bare shoulders and elbo#ed her sister in the ribs. At least neither lady #as drin%2 ing. +iss Russell o,,upied a settee nearby& also #ithout a glass or tea,up at hand. E//a .elt so/e tension ease .ro/ her ne,%. She did not #ant to entertain the <ondoners #ith the spe,ta,le o. drun%en lo,als. DIust loo% at that gaggle o. pea2gooses.D +eg nodded at a group o. young ladies ,lustered around Charles at the other end o. the roo/. DOr is it >pea2geese>@ :t>s a good thing <ord Knightsdale .a!ors short hair or his lo!ely bro#n lo,%s #ould be blo#n into %nots by all those batting eyelashes.D E//a agreed. he girls #ere .a#ning o!er Charles in a /ost disgusting /anner. :t ,ertainly ,ould not be good .or his already in.lated esti/ation o. hi/sel.. "ot that he #asn>t an arresting sight. Be #as e!en /ore handso/e& i. that #ere possible& dressed in e!ening#ear. Be loo%ed up. Bis startling blue eyes /et hers a,ross the roo/& and the right ,orner o. his /outh ,reased up in a hal. s/ile. She .elt an odd #ar/th radiate .ro/ her sto/a,h. DAnd here ,o/es your o#n spe,ial ad/irer& E//a. Be /ust ha!e been #at,hing the door .or you.D D+y o#nCoh.D +r. Sto,%ley #as slithering to#ard her. She had ne!er thought o. hi/ as sna%eli%e be.ore& but tonight he stru,% her as ha!ing a distin,tly serpentine 1uality. Perhaps it #as his la,% o. e0pression. Or his 1uietCstealthy& reallyC#ay o. /o!ing. Ridi,ulousG She had not gotten enough sleep last night. :t #as the odd no,turnal e!ents in the nursery that #ere .eeding this bi-arre .antasy.

D: %eep e0pe,ting a .or%ed tongue to .li,%er out o. his /outh&D +eg /ur/ured. D: thin% :>ll go help +iss Russell #ar/ the settee.D E//a resisted the urge to grab +eg>s ar/. D+iss Peterson& : a/ delighted to see <ord Knightsdale allo#ed you to Aoin our gathering. ?ho is #at,hing <ady :sabelle and <ady Claire@D E//a gritted her teeth. D"anny is #ith the girls& +r. Sto,%ley.D DAh& "anny. A /ature& reliable #o/an. $ou& ah& ha!e roo/s on the nursery .loor #ith the girls and "anny& : presu/e@D he /an #as presu/ing too /u,h. D: ,an>t i/agine #hy you #ould be interested in /y a,,o//odations& +r. Sto,%ley.D +r. Sto,%ley s/ir%ed. D: /ean no disrespe,t& +iss Peterson. : a/ ,on.ident a #o/an o. your /aturity #ill guard her reputation ,losely. :t>s Aust that . . . #ell . . . it #ould not do .or you to be on the sa/e .loor as our host. A single #o/an #ithout a ,haperone present& you understand. :t /ight gi!e rise to unsa!ory spe,ulation. People ha!e su,h s/all /inds.D E//a ,ould na/e one person #ith a s/all /ind. DSir& : .ail to see #hy /y reputation is in danger. <ady Beatri,e is in residen,e& a.ter all& and no# the house is .illed #ith guests. 5o you thin% <ord Knightsdale is going to brea% do#n /y door and rape /e in /y bed@D D: a/ ,ontinually surprised& ?estbroo%e& at ho# little #e %no# our ,losest .riends. ?ho #ould ha!e thought Knightsdale had ta%en to de.lo#ering !irgins@D E//a .lushed and turned to .ind the 5u%e o. Al!ord and the Earl o. ?estbroo%e at her elbo#. D$our gra,e& : did not /eanCD DO. ,ourse you did not /ean anything& +iss Peterson.D he du%e s/iled at her& but his e0pression hardened as he .a,ed +r. Sto,%ley. DBo#e!er& : do #onder #hat your ,o/panion /eant.D D+r. Albert Sto,%ley& your gra,e& and no o..ense /eant& o. ,ourse. : #as Aust ,autioning +iss Peterson in a general #ay& as a .riend.D DAs a .riend. : see.D he du%e loo%ed at <ord ?estbroo%e. DCorre,t /e i. :>/ #rong& ?estbroo%e& but : belie!e +iss Peterson is a ,hildhood .riend o. Knightsdale& is she not@ One #ould thin% he #ould /a%e it his responsibility to see that she ,a/e to no har/ under his roo..D

DOne #ould thin%&D <ord ?estbroo%e agreed. E//a had had enough. DOh& stop it.D She had been o..ended by +r. Sto,%ley& true& but she didn>t need these t#o de.ending her. D:>/ sure +r. Sto,%ley #as Aust trying to be a gentle/an. $ou don>t need to thro# your ,onse1uen,e around.D D+iss Peterson& you #ound /e.D he du%e>s a/ber eyes held a de.inite t#in%le. D+y ,onse1uen,e is too great to be >thro#n around.>D DRight.D <ord ?estbroo%e grinned. DAl!ord>s not strong enough .or the tas%. Eotten too so.t& no# that he>s a /arried /an.D D+r. Sto,%ley&D E//a said& Das you ha!e probably sur/ised& : %ne# his gra,e and <ord ?estbroo%e #hen #e #ere all ,hildren& though they hardly a,%no#ledged /y presen,e then.D "or had they paid /u,h attention to her in re,ent years& E//a thought. ?hy #ere they both at her side no#@ DO. ,ourse #e ignored you& +iss Peterson&D the du%e said. D$ou #ere a girl& and #e #ere /ost assuredly not interested in girls at that ti/e.D D$ou ,an than% /e you #ere e!en tolerated&D Charles said. Be had di!ested hi/sel. o. his hare/. D hese .ello#s #ould ha!e banned you .ro/ our ga/es.D 5e.tly& +r. Sto,%ley had been e0,luded .ro/ their group. he du%e and <ord ?estbroo%e too% a slight step to the side& a shirting .or#ard& and +r. Sto,%ley #as in!isible& hidden behind their height "or ,ould he parti,ipate in the youth.ul re,olle,tions. he ,ir,le had tightened physi,ally and ,on!ersationally& and he #as .ir/ly on the outside. E//a #at,hed hi/ ho!er there .or a /o/ent& then turn and #ander a#ay. D?here is your #i.e& your gra,e@D she as%ed. DResting.D he du%e grinned so #idely he loo%ed li%e a boy again. DShe tires easily these days.D DAl!ord thin%s he>s so ,le!er he>s .igured out ho# toCD DRobbieGD Charles nodded at E//a. <ord ?estbroo%e>s eyes .ell on her& and he reddened. DAs :>/ sure you>!e dedu,ed& E//a&D Charles said& Dthe du%e and du,hess are e0pe,ting their .irst ,hild.D D hat>s #onder.ul ne#s& your gra,e.D E//a #as tou,hed that the /an #as so ob!iously thrilled. D: hope to /eet her gra,e to/orro#.D

DCharles.D <ady Beatri,e appeared at Charles>s elbo# #ith a hun,hba,%ed elderly /an in to#. D:t>s ti/e to go in to dinner. 5u%e& you>re the highest2ran%ing /an hereCyou get to ta%e in <ady Augusta.D D+y pleasure.D <ord ?estbroo%e snorted. D8nli%ely. <ady Augusta #ill Aa# you to death be.ore you>!e .inished your turtle soup.D <ady Beatri,e pointed a beAe#eled .inger at <ord ?estbroo%e. DAnd you& /y lord& #ill be s1uiring <ady Bar#orth.D D"ot <ady Bar#orthGD <ord ?estbroo%e>s hands .le# up as i. to #ard o.. a blo#& #hile the du%e and Charles tried unsu,,ess.ully to /u..le their laughter. DBa!e pity& please. :>/ too young to su..er detailed a,,ounts o. gout and indigestion.D D+y lord& : a/ ,ertain it is not as bad as that.D D$ou>re right& Aunt&D Charles said. D: belie!e <ady Bar#orth also dis,usses her grand,hildren>s ail/ents.D DAnd #ord has it that the youngest Bar#orth is re,o!ering .ro/ the /easles&D the du%e said& Dso you>re in .or a treat& ?estbroo%e.D DEa#d.D <ord ?estbroo%e rolled his eyes. <ady Beatri,e glared. D: trust you #ill beha!e yoursel.& /y lord.D DO. ,ourse. : pro/ise to try not to nod o.. during <ady Bar#orth>s /edi,al report& and& i. : ,annot %eep +orpheus at bay .or the entire /eal& : pro/ise not to snore.D <ord ?estbroo%e grinned. DOr& at least not loudly.D <ady Beatri,e grunted and turned to E//a. DBere is your es,ort& dear.D She shoo% the elderly /an>s ar/ and shouted in his ear& D his is +iss Peterson& +r. +a0#ell. $ou>ll be ta%ing her in to dinner. D D?hat@ hinner@D +r. +a0#ell #as so bent o!er& his .a,e #as only in,hes abo!e E//a>s boso/. DSa,rilegeG 5on>t ta%e an oun,e o.. >e/& /y dear.D E//a stepped ba,% be.ore a bit o. drool hit her bodi,e. D+a0#ell& you .orget yoursel..D Charles loo%ed li%e a thunder,loud.

+r. +a0#ell t#isted his head to loo% up at hi/. D?hat@ "o need to get tet,hy& /y lord. 5idn>t %no# you had your eye on >e/.D +r. +a0#ell #hee-ed #ith apparent laughter. D+an ,an loo%& ,an>t he& #ithout gi!ing o..ense@D DCo/e on& Charles&D <ady Beatri,e said. D a%e /e in to dinner. $our +iss Peterson is sa.e. Poor +r. +a0#ell ,an>t do /u,h /ore than loo%.D +r. +a0#ell ga!e no indi,ation that he had heard& but E//a #as ,ertain her .a,e #as redder than <ady Beatri,e>s dress. She #at,hed Charles lead his aunt a,ross the roo/. DShall #e go in to dinner@D +r. +a0#ell as%ed her boso/. D: don>t suppose #e ha!e a ,hoi,e& do #e@D E//a said& batting a#ay +r. +a0#ell>s errant .ingers.

D: don>t belie!e :>!e seen a dress 1uite li%e yours this Season& +iss Peterson. ?ho is your /antua2/a%er@D <ady Oldston>s pro/inent eyes glittered #ith /ali,e. E//a .or,ed a s/ile. D+rs. Cro.tCa lo,al #o/an.D D: see.D DBo# 1uaintCusing lo,al. . . u/ . . . talent. : ha!e ne!er tried it. Perhaps it #ill be,o/e the rage.D <ady 5unlee per/itted hersel. a tiny s/ile& s/all enough not to ,rease her substantial Ao#ls. D: don>t re,all seeing you in o#n& +iss Peterson.D he third gorgon& +rs. Pelha/& ya#ned. D$ou /ust ha!e /ade your ,o/e outDCshe paused art.ully& bro#s ar,hed& nostrils .laredCDa .e# years ago.D D:>/ ,ertain : did not see you or your sister&D <ady Oldston said. D: #ould ha!e /ade note o. it. ?e #ere bringing out dear A/anda.D 5ear A/anda loo%ed li%e a ,ross bet#een a horse and a toad& all bug2eyed and toothyC li%e her /other. DAnd : had <ady Caroline.D <ady 5unlee stressed her daughter>s title e!er so slightly. <ady Oldston .lushed. She #as /erely the #i.e o. a baronetF <ady 5unlee #as a ,ountess. And <ady Caroline #as rounder than her /other. She #as #hispering #ith +iss Oldston by the garden #indo#s. D: do thin% it 1uite /agnani/ous o. dear <ord Knightsdale to in!ite the neighbors&D +rs. Pelha/ said. D5on>t you agree& +iss Peterson@ :t /ust be su,h a treat .or you.D

E//a gruntedCpolitely& she hoped. he ladies appeared not to e0pe,t /ore ,oheren,y .ro/ su,h a pro!in,ial as hersel.. :. she>d had hal. an oun,e o. intelligen,e& she #ould ha!e /ade good her es,ape right a.ter dinner Aust as +eg had& bet#een the dining roo/ and the dra#ing roo/. :t #ould ha!e been so easy. :. anyone had as%ed& she ,ould ha!e ,lai/ed a need to ,he,% on the girls. She s/iled and nodded !aguely at +rs. Pelha/>s ne0t drop o. !erbal poison. She #ould not lie to hersel.. She had .ollo#ed the ladies into the dra#ing roo/ in the hopes o. seeing Charles again. Bo# stupid ,ould she be@ :n,redibly stupid& she ,on,luded& .eeling her heart Au/p as the /an ,rossed the threshold. Bis eyes sought hers. <ady Oldston sighed. D:sn>t it so ro/anti,& ho# <ord Knightsdale loo%s .or /y dear A/anda as soon as he enters a roo/@ Be paid her /ar%ed attention in o#n this Season. : #as not at all surprised to re,ei!e this in!itation.D +rs. Pelha/ laughed. DOh& <ady Oldston& ho# drollG O. ,ourse you %no# the /ar1uis is only interested in /y <u,inda. "ot that A/anda isn>t a .ine young lady& o. ,ourse& but <u,inda. . . #ell& dear +r. Pelha/ has already had to turn a#ay an earl and a !is,ount.D +rs. Pelha/ sighed. D?e .eel <u,inda is a bit young .or /arriage& but /y husband /ight be persuaded to turn o!er the reins& as it #ere& to a gentle2/an as serious and /ature as <ord Knightsdale.D D:t is a pity about the orphans& though&D <ady 5unlee said. DSo in,on!enient. ?ho/e!er Knightsdale /arries #ill ha!e to ,ontend #ith his brother>s brats.D DAh& but that is #hat go!ernesses are .or& are they not& +iss Peterson@D +rs. Pelha/ s/ir%ed. E//a gritted her teeth. She #ished the tea had been ser!edC+rs. Pelha/>s appearan,e ,ould only be i/pro!ed by a tea,up turned o!er her head. D:>/ ,ertain <ord Knightsdale e0pe,ts any #o/an he /arries to treat his nie,es #ith %indness and ,onsideration.D DAnd you %no# <ord Knightsdale>s /ind& +iss Peterson@D +rs. Pelha/ as%ed. DBo#. . . odd.D D5on>t let the honor o. /i0ing #ith this ,o/pany raise .alse hopes& dear&D <ady Oldston said. D: understand you don>t ha!e a /other to guide you& though one #ould thin% at your ad!an,ed age . . . But& no /atter& let /e #hisper the #ord in your earC/ar1uises do not /arry go!ernesses.D

D"o& indeed&D +rs. Pelha/ said. D:. you thin% to angle .or an o..er& #ell. . .D D$ou>ll get an o..er& all right.D <ady 5unlee ,hu,%led. DAn o..er o. ,arte2blan,he.D DA slip on the shoulder&D <ady Oldston said. D"e,%la,es& bra,elets& and ringsCbut ne!er a #edding ring.D DSet your sights on so/eone /ore attainable& dear&D +rs. Pelha/ said. DSo/eone li%e +r. Sto,%ley& perhaps.D D+iss Peterson.D E//a loo%ed up. <ady Beatri,e stood by the tea tray& ,up in hand. D?ould you be so %ind as to pour@D DO. ,ourse.D E//a #ould pi,% the tea lea!es hersel. to get a#ay .ro/ these harpies. D:. you>ll e0,use /e& ladies@D D?hate!er #ere you thin%ing& sitting do#n #ith that ,ro#d@D <ady Beatri,e /uttered #hen E//a Aoined her. D hey sat do#n #ith /e. : had no idea they #ere so unpleasant.D D8npleasant@D <ady Beatri,e snorted. D:. they>re >unpleasant&> old Satan is slightly naughty. : i/agine they didn>t ,are .or the .a,t Charles singled you out be.ore dinnerC Charles and his .riends& Al!ord and ?estbroo%e.D She s/iled and leaned a little ,loser. DEi!e /e their ,ups& +iss Peterson. :>/ .eeling a tri.le ,lu/sy. +aybe hot tea do#n their .ronts #ill /elt their .ro-en hearts.D E//a s/iled ba,%. D5o be ,are.ul& <ady Beatri,e.D DHery. Anyone you parti,ularly #ish /e to douse@D D: ,ould ne!er single one out .or spe,ial attention.D D"o@ : ,ould. : ha!e ne!er li%ed the parti,ular shade o. yello# Hi,toria Pelha/ is #earing tonight. Espe,ially on her. +a%es her loo% li%e an o!erdone le/on tart. : #ould be doing her a .a!or to urge her to ,hange her attire.D E//a s/iled. She didn>t e0pe,t <ady Beatri,e to .ollo# through #ith her outrageous plan& but in a .e# /o/ents& +rs. Pelha/ e/itted a /ost unladyli%e s,ree,h. DAunt didn>t ,are .or so/ething +rs. Pelha/ said@D Charles as%ed as he too% a tea,up .ro/ E//a.

D: belie!e it #as her ,olor ,hoi,e that your aunt obAe,ted to.D hey loo%ed o!er at the ladies. <ady Beatri,e had /anaged to spill tea on <ady Oldston and <ady 5unlee in her e..orts to /op +rs. Pelha/>s .ront. DShe>s right. $ello# is not +rs. Pelha/>s ,olor.D E//a ,hu,%led. D<ord Knightsdale.D +iss Ba!er.ord di/pled up at Charles. D?ould you ,o/e and turn /y pages .or /e@D D: #ould be delighted to& +iss Ba!er.ord. : #ill Aoin you at the piano in a /o/ent.D D+iss Ba!er.ord see/s li%e a ni,e young lady.D E//a tried to s#allo# her Aealousy. +iss Ba!er.ord #as se!enteen #ith lo!ely golden ringlets and s#eet& deep blue eyes. She #as also the daughter o. a !is,ount. DA !ery ni,e young ladyCli%e +eg.D E//a grinned. D:>/ not sure anyone #ould des,ribe +eg as a ni,e young lady. "ot that she isn>t ni,e& young& and a lady& o. ,ourse& but those are not the #ords #hi,h .irst spring to /ind #hen : thin% o. /y sister.D DOh@ ?hat #ords do@D D: don>t %no#.D E//a .ro#ned. D:ntelligent. Single2/inded. Stubborn.D Charles laughed. DSpo%en as a big sister.D Be dropped his !oi,e. D: need to ha!e a #ord #ith you& E//a. +eet /e in the ,onser!atory #hen the ladies retire& #ill you@D D hat sounds /ost i/proper.D D5oesn>t it& though@ But don>t #orryC: #ant to tal% about :sabelle and Claire.D DAnd it ,an>t #ait until /orning@D E//a sa# +iss Ba!er.ord sitting at the piano& #a!ing in their dire,tion. D: thin% +iss Ba!er.ord is losing patien,e.D DRight.D Charles #a!ed ba,%. D"o& it ,an>t #ait. Pro/ise to /eet /e@D E//a sighed. DAll right.D KKK

E//a #aited in the shado#s o. the ,onser!atory. She breathed in the /oist& #ar/ s,ent o. earth and gro#th. he thi,% !egetation /u..led sounds& gi!ing the i/pression o. pri!a,y. his #as luna,y. She should be upstairs in her roo/. She heard a step on the path and .aded .arther into the greenery. ?hat i. so/eone ,a/e upon her@ Bo# #ould she e!er e0plain lur%ing in the lea.age@ DE//a@D Charles>s !oi,e #as lo# and /ale in the dar%ness. D$es@D DAh.D Be too% her hand and pulled her .arther into the dar%ened ,onser!atory. D+y lord& #e #ere going to dis,uss your nie,es.D DShh. ?e #illCin a /o/ent. : don>t #ant one o. the young ladies or their /a/as to .ind /e.D E//a dropped her !oi,e to /at,h his. D: thought they had all gone up to bed.D D hey are supposed to ha!e done so& but a /an ,an ne!er be too ,autious.D Charles stepped under the bran,hes o. a tall& potted tree. D his should do.D Be had not bothered to release her hand. She tugged ba,% slightly& and he tightened his .ingers& pulling her ,lose to his body. :t #as so inti/ate& standing #ith hi/ in the /oonlit dar%ness& hidden a/ong the lea!es. She breathed in the s,ent o. his soap and s%in /ingled #ith the #ar/& da/p s/ell o. dirt and .lo#ers. D+y lord& this is a tri.le i/proper.D DB//. Only a tri.le& +iss Peterson& and not near as i/proper as : #ould li%e it to be.D Ber brain told her she should step ba,%& but her body re.used to respond. D?hat did you #ant to tal% about& /y lord@D DCharles.D D+y lord.D

Bis /outh ,ur!ed upChis lo!ely /outh that #as only in,hes abo!e hers. D:. you insist on >/y lording> /e& E//a& : shall ha!e to persuade you again to use /y Christian na/e. 5o you re/e/ber ho# : a,,o/plished that .eat in the ,urri,le yesterday@D Could she .orget@ Ber entire body .ro/ her toenails to the ends o. her la/entably ,urly hair a,hed #ith e/barrass/ent at the /e/ory o. his lips on hers. DCharles& then. $ou #anted to tal% about :sabelle and Claire.D DB//.D Be tra,ed her lips slo#ly #ith the tip o. his .inger. Bis s%in #as slightly rough& dry& #ar/. Ber lips tingled& and heat pooled lo# in her body. She #ren,hed hersel. ba,%. D<ord Knightsdale& you #ished to spea% about your nie,es.D Be grinned. D?ell& yes& but : also #anted to %iss you& E//a. : 1uite enAoyed the sensation yesterday& didn>t you@D E//a #as de.initely not going to ans#er that 1uestion. D$our nie,es@D Charles sighed. D: only #anted to suggest #e ta%e the/ .ishing in the /orning. ?e ,an be out to the strea/ and ho/e again be.ore any o. /y guests has ,ra,%ed open an eye. : thin% :sabelle and Claire #ould enAoy it& and it #ould gi!e /e so/e ti/e #ith the/ be.ore : ha!e to see /y estate /anager and then play host.D D hat #ould be #onder.ul.D E//a s/iled. :. Charles did spend ti/e #ith the girls& got to %no# the/& to ,are .or the/& he #ould be less li%ely to lea!e the/. hey needed hi/ in their li!es. D:>/ ,ertain they #ould lo!e it. : doubt they>!e e!er been .ishing.D D"o@ hat>s a pity.D DBut you don>t need /e to ,o/e along.D D:ndeed : do& E//a. :>/ ,ertain the girls #ould .eel /u,h /ore ,o/.ortable ha!ing you #ith the/. hey don>t %no# /e.D Be ga!e her a lopsided grin. DAnd : #ould .eel /ore ,o/.ortable ha!ing you there. : don>t /a%e a habit o. entertaining little girls.D $ou used to& E//a thought. $ou used to %no# e0a,tly ho# to /a%e anyone .eel ,o/.ortable. $ou probably still do. But she ,ould see ho# he and the girls /ight .eel a#%#ard. And i. she #ere honest& the thought o. being out in the 1uiet o. the early /orning #ith Aust Charles& :sabelle& and Claire #as !astly appealing. She re.used to e0a/ine e0a,tly #hy that #as. DAll right& /y lord. ?hat ti/e and #here shall #e /eet you@D

D:>ll ,o/e s,rat,h at your door. "o& don>t gi!e /e that loo%Cno one #ill be up to see /e& so #e #on>t s,andali-e a soul.D D?hat about the ser!ants@D D: #on>t ,o/e in your roo/& E//a. :>ll tal% to you through your door& i. that #ould better suit your notions o. propriety.D DHery #ell.D Certainly there ,ould be nothing inappropriate in su,h a plan. She #as the girls> te/porary go!ernessCand an old /aid o. t#enty2si0. D hen : belie!e : shall retire& <ord Knightsdale& sin,e : #ill be getting up again so soon.D E//a ,aught the glea/ o. his teeth in the dar%ness. D5o you still not ,are .or spiders& E//a@D DSpiders@D E//a s#allo#ed and lo#ered her !oi,e. She listened& but she didn>t hear any .ootsteps approa,hing. :. there had been anyone nearby& he or she #ould ha!e heard her s1uea%. She ,ould deal #ith #or/s and beetles and the general run o. bugs& but she had ne!er been able to /aster her abhorren,e o. spiders. D?hat do you /ean& spiders@D DOne o. the dra#ba,%s o. staging an assignation in the shrubbery& s#eetheart& is o,,asionally one plays hostCor in this ,ase& hostessCto an unin!ited guest. Allo# /e.D Charles pi,%ed a large bla,% spider o.. her bodi,e. She yelped #hen she sa# itCher rea,tion had nothing to do #ith Charles>s .ingers brushing the top o. her breasts. his #as& .ortunately& a !ery high2ne,%ed dress. "o ,han,e o. spidersCor .ingersCgoing too .ar astray. She had ne!er had her .ear o. spiders ,ause her breasts to tingle in this !ery odd .ashion. Be held the disgusting thing o!er her. DShall : drop this do#n your ba,%@D he as%ed& laughing. D: still re/e/ber ho# loudly you s,rea/edCand ho# high you Au/pedC#hen Robbie put that spider do#n your ba,% #hen #e #ere ,hildren.D DIust get rid o. it& please.D E//a turned and ba,%ed into hi/& %eeping her eyes on his hand. She did not li%e spiders. DO. ,ourse& s#eetheart.D Be .li,%ed the ,reature o.. into the bushes and #rapped his ar/s around her #aist& pulling her tightly against his body She .elt his breath #ar/ on her ne,%. DShall : brush you o.. to be ,ertain no other e!il beasts ha!e de,ided to in!ite the/sel!es onto your person@D D: only /ind spiders.D E//a barely got the #ords out. Charles>s broad right hand #as /o!ing do#n her s%irts. han%.ully it didn>t pause o!er the part o. her that #as suddenly&

sho,%ingly& hot and #et. Ber %nees #obbled& but his le.t ar/ %ept her se,urely upright& plastered against his body. She ,ouldn>t breathe. Bis hand shi.ted to her bodi,e. Bis pal/ pressed against her breastsF his .ingers trailed o!er her ,ur!es. Ber nipples hardened into a,hing buds. She #as ,ertain she should be /orti.ied to see a /ale hand on her dressCto .eel a /ale hand on her dress. But the heat surging through her did not .eel li%e /orti.i,ation. She had the /ost sho,%ing desireCneedC to .eel a /ale hand on her na%ed .lesh. She /oaned. Be turned her& and she /elted against hi/& her hands going up to ,ling to his shoulders. Be .elt #onder.ul& hard and #onder.ul. here #as an intriguing bulge pressing into her belly& and she rubbed against it. :. only it #ere a bit lo#er. :. only it #ere pressed against the pla,e she a,hed /ost. DEod& E//a.D Charles splayed a hand o!er her botto/ and pressed her e!en /ore tightly against hi/. hen he ,upped her Aa# #ith his other hand& his .ingers stro%ing the sensiti!e s%in Aust under her ear #hile his thu/b gently pulled do#n her lo#er lip. Ber breath released in a sigh& her /outh opening slightly. She /oistened her lips. hey needed his tou,h& too. hey got it. Bis /outh /o!ed o!er hers& su,%ing& li,%ing& teasing #ith .leeting& brushing ,onta,t. :t #as /addening. She needed /oreC/ore pressure& /ore /o!e/ent& /ore . . . so/ething. She #hi/pered. he s/allest re1uest& and the #ish she didn>t %no# to /a%e #as granted. Bis tongue .illed her /outh as it had the day be.ore. Both his hands pressed her botto/ against hi/& then slid up o!er her #aist and along the sides o. her breasts. hey paused there be.ore ,ontinuing o!er her ba,% and up to burro# into her hair. She needed to tou,h hi/& also. Bis ,oat #as in her #ay& so she slipped her hands underneath it& only to en,ounter his #aist,oat. She let her .ingers slide to his ba,% and #ander lo#er to the satis.ying .eel o. his pantaloons. She e0plored the /us,ular ,ur!es o. that se,tion o. his anato/y. DS#eetheart&D he #hispered& his !oi,e unsteady& Dthis is lo!ely& but :>/ a.raid #e had best stop. he ,onser!atory .loor #ould not /a%e a satis.a,tory bed.D D?hat@D E//a #as ha!ing trouble thin%ing. All she #anted to do #as .eel. She ran her .ingers o!er Charles>s strong buC

She dropped her hands as i. s,alded. ?hat had ,o/e o!er her@ She pushed against Charles>s ,hest. D: C D DShh.D Charles put his .inger o!er her lips. DBut : had /y hands on . . . : #as tou,hing your . . .D E//a too% a great gulp o. air. D: apologi-e& /y lord& .or /y e0tre/e . . . u/ . . .D E//a ,ould not begin to thin% o. #ords to des,ribe #hat she had Aust done. D?ell& : do apologi-e& <ord Knightsdale.D Charles laughed. D5on>t apologi-e& +iss Peterson. : #as delighted to ha!e your hands on /y . . .D E//a groaned in e/barrass/ent. DAnd you /ay re/e/ber that : had /y hands on your lo!elyCD D5on>t say itGD Charles ,hu,%led. DAll right& : #on>t say itCthis ti/e. But : enAoyed e!ery /inute o. our en,ounterCyour tou,hing as #ell as /ineCand : hope to repeat the e0perien,e& but #ithout the annoying presen,e o. ,lothing and in the /ore ,o/.ortable setting o. /y bed,ha/ber.D D<ord KnightsdaleGD DCharles. Please& E//a. E!ery ti/e you ,all /e Knightsdale& : e0pe,t to turn around and see /y brotherCan espe,ially dis,on,erting .eeling a.ter our rather inti/ate en,ounter.D DOh. 8/. $es. : see.D E//a didn>t see anything but the !ision o. her na%ed in Charles>s bed. ?ith hi/& bare as a babe. But he #asn>t an in.ant. <ud& no. Ber i/agination ,ould not .ill in all the details o. that pi,ture& but the gli/pses she had had o. hi/ #hen he>d ,o/e hunting "anny>s ghost helped her dra# so/e general outlines. Bis shoulders. he bulge o. his ar/ /us,les. he dusting o. hair on his ,hest. Bis /us,ular legs. Bis thighs . .. She #anted to .eel his s%in against hers. She #anted to run her .ingers o!er the /us,led e0panse that #as under his pantaloons. She #anted to see the interesting bulge she had rubbed her belly against. She #as a.raid she #as panting. She s#allo#ed& straightened& tried to listen to Charles>s #ords.

D$ou do re/e/ber : suggested #e #ed@ $ou de,linedCat least : belie!e that #as the gist o. your ans#er #hen you thre# that ,hina dog at /y head. ?ould you ,are to re,onsider your response no#@D D"o.D E//a #as in no ,ondition to ,onsider anything. Ber entire body a,hed and throbbed and . . . #ell& she ,learly #as in,apable o. rational thought. D"o. :& ah . . . "o. : belie!e : shall retire. o /y roo/. Alone.D Charles pla,ed E//a>s hand on his ar/ and es,orted her out o. the ,onser!atory. She de.initely loo%ed as though she>d been engaging in so/e interesting a,ti!ities in the shrubbery& but he #asn>t ,on,erned her dishe!el/ent #ould be re/ar%ed upon. E!eryone else had retired .or the night. And& really& i. they #ere seen& so /u,h the better. She #ould be ,o/pro/ised and& thus& ,o/pelled to #ed hi/. At this point& he didn>t ,are ho# she got into his bed& as long as she got thereCsoon. Eod& he had ne!er been so ,lose to losing ,ontrol as he had been Aust no#. :. there>d been a handy ,ou,h nearby& he probably #ould not ha!e stopped. E//a ,ertainly hadn>t been /a%ing any e..ort to bring their a,ti!ities to an end. Be loo%ed do#n at her as they ,li/bed the stairs. Ber ,hin #as up& her eyes .o,used in .ront o. her. She #as studiously ignoring hi/. She loo%ed so ,ool& so sel.2possessedCbut she had been so hot Aust /o/ents be.ore. Be bit his lip to sti.le a /oan at the /e/ory o. her lo!ely body against his. Eod& #hen he had .elt her hands on his pantaloons . . . Be had intended only to dis,uss the /orning .ishing trip. Right. hey rea,hed the bedroo/ .loor. DEood night& <ord Knightsdale&D E//a said& addressing his ,ra!at. D:>/ #al%ing you to your roo/.D Ber eyes .le# up& s%ittered a,ross his .a,e& and resu/ed their study o. his ,lothing. D hat is not ne,essary& /y lord.D She tried to /o!e a#ay& but he put his hand o!er hers. DBu/or /e.D Ber eyes .lashed up again& a tou,h o. pani, in the/. D+iss Peterson& please. : a/ not going to rape you.D D: didn>t thin% . . . . O. ,ourse not. . . . :. : ga!e you that i/pression& : apologi-e.D

DOh& hush. $ou>ll tie yoursel. into %nots. : suppose you ,an be .orgi!en so/e trepidation a.ter our re,ent a,ti!ities& but : hope you do reali-e : #ould ne!er .or,e /ysel. on you.D DO. ,ourse you #ouldn>t.D DAnd you #eren>t e0a,tly dis,ouraging /e do#nstairs& s#eetheart.D E//a /ade a strangled sound and stopped trying to #rest her .ingers .ro/ his hold. Be s/iled as they #al%ed the length o. the ,orridor. "o& ta%ing her into the ,onser!atory had been a ,or%brained notion. Be had been thin%ing #ith so/ething other than his head Cso/ething that still throbbed in .rustration. :t loo%ed as i. he>d be ta%ing a ni,e ,old dip in the la%e on,e he bid her good night. hey stopped outside her door& and he ,onsidered %issing her again. :. he #as going s#i//ing any#ay& he /ight as #ell heat his blood ba,% to boiling. A pity she #asn>t #earing a /ore a,,o//odating go#n. his dress had /u,h too high a ne,%. So/ething ,ut lo#erCso/ething that Aust brushed the tops o. her breastsC#ould be /u,h /ore satis.a,tory. :t #ould only ta%e a /o/ent to push the .abri, aside. . . . D+y lord@D DB//@D Could he persuade her to a,,ept his /arriage o..er no#@ Ber bed,ha/ber door #as Aust behind her. ?hat ,ould be /ore ,on!enient@ hey ,ould plight their troth splendidly in her bed. Be #ouldn>t need a late night dun%ing in a ,old la%eC he ,ould dun% the /ost heated part o. hi/ in her lo!ely #ar/ #etness . . . D+y lord . . .D . . . /any ti/es. On,e #ould de.initely not be enough to ,ool his blood. But she #as a !irgin. . . . Be rea,hed up to ,up her ,hee%. She batted his hand a#ay. D<ord Knightsdale& pay attention.D She shoo% his slee!e. D5on>t you s/ell s/o%e@D Charles inhaled. he a,rid s,ent o. s,or,hed linen ,leared his /ind o. lust. So/ething besides hi/sel. #as on .ire.

Chapter "
Charles sat on his bed& staring at the door ,onne,ting the /ar1uis>s roo/ #ith the /ar,hioness>s. Or in this ,ase& his roo/ #ith E//a>s. hey had been !ery lu,%y last night. One o. the /aids /ust ha!e le.t a lighted ,andle in E//a>s roo/. So/eho# it had gotten %no,%ed o!er and had set the bed a.la/e. he .ire had not spreadChe>d been able to douse it #ith the pit,her o. #ater le.t by the #ashstand. Be had not had to #a%en the household. Still& the roo/ #as uninhabitable& so he had /o!ed E//a to the only !a,ant bed. he /ar,hioness>s. he door bet#een their roo/s #as unlo,%ed. Be had not been able to .ind the %ey. Be ,ould #al% into E//a>s roo/ at any /o/entC#hile she #as sleeping& dressing& in her bathCas she ,ould #al% into his. But he %ne# not to hope .or /ira,les. Be rubbed his .orehead. Be hadn>t slept #ell last night& but& un.ortunately& his sleeplessness had not been due to sala,ious drea/s o. E//a. Bo# ,ould that ,andle ha!e been le.t lit and unattended@ Be #ould as% +rs. <a/bert to ha!e a #ord #ith the /aids. Su,h ,arelessness #as e0tre/ely dangerous. Be sighed and ,li/bed out o. bed. he early /orning ,hill .elt good on his bare s%in. Be #as not really a.raid that the /aids had been ,areless. "o& he #as /ore a.raid o. another possibility. ?hat i. the ,andle had not been unattended@ Be pulled on his bree,hes. Be had loo%ed at this proble/ .ro/ e!ery angle& and he al#ays ,a/e up #ith the sa/e ans#er. So/eone had been in E//a>s roo/. here #as no other #ay that ,andle ,ould ha!e been %no,%ed o!er yet not ha!e sent the roo/ up in .la/es. :t #ould ha!e ta%en only /inutes .or the bla-e to spread .ro/ the bed to the rug to the ,urtains. Be had seen .ires ,onsu/e houses that 1ui,%ly on the Peninsula. his parti,ular .ire had not been burning /ore than a .e# se,onds. EodG ?hen he had been standing in the ,orridor lusting a.ter E//a>s body& so/eone had been in her roo/. On the other side o. the door. So/eone had heard the/ and le.t& %no,%ing the ,andle o!er in his& or her& haste. Bo# had the intruder le.t@ he roo/ had only one doorCand he had been standing in .ront o. it #ith E//a. Charles ran his hands through his hair. +ore i/portant& #hat #ould ha!e happened to E//a i. he hadn>t %ept her late do#nstairs@ :. she had been asleep in her bed@

Be too% a deep breath& pulling his shirt o!er his head. here #ere too /any 1uestions. ?ho& #hat& ho#. But at least he had E//a near at hand no#. :. she ,ried out& he #ould be at her side in an instant. Be s,rat,hed on the ,onne,ting door. DE//a@D "o ans#er. Be debated .or about .i!e se,onds be.ore he ,ra,%ed the door open. he roo/ #as in shado#s. Be padded 1uietly o!er to the bed. E//a #as there& her hair a tangle o. ,urls spread o!er her pillo#& her blan%et pulled up to her ,hin. She #as s/iling& as i. she #ere in the /idst o. a pleasant drea/. Be hated to #a%e her& but the .ish #ould not be biting later and his guests& un.ortunately& #ould be. Should he %iss her a#a%e@ "o& they #ould ne!er get to the strea/ i. he did that. DE//a.D Be pi,%ed up one o. her ,urls and ti,%led her nose #ith it. She gru/bled and turned o!er. DE//a& s#eetheart& ti/e to get up.D Be gently shoo% her shoulder. D?haCD Ber eyes opened. DA,%.D She pulled the blan%et o!er her head. Be pulled it ba,% do#n to her ,hin. DRe/e/ber& sleepyhead& #e>re ta%ing :sabelle and Claire .ishing this /orning.D D:t>s so early. And you shouldn>t be in /y roo/.D D: %no# it>s early& but it>s getting late i. #e #ant to ,at,h any .ish. $ou need to get up. Eet dressed and get the girls. :>ll .et,h the .ishing gear and /eet you by the su//er house& all right@D E//a grunted. D:. : lea!e you& #ill you .all ba,% to sleep@D Be grinned. DShould : pull the ,o!ers o.. you and ti,%le your .eet@D D"o& no.D She .ro#ned up at hi/. D:>/ a#a%e. Eo a#ay.D D$ou>re ,ertain@ :. you lea!e /e standing outside in the /orning ,hill& :>ll bring a big bu,%et o. la%e #ater up here and du/p it all o!er you.D D:>/ ,ertain. "o# go a#ay.D

E//a .elt Charles>s deep ,hu,%le in the pit o. her sto/a,h. ?ell& perhaps not her sto/a,hCshe .elt ,ertain this odd hunger had nothing to do #ith eating. :t had e!erything to do #ith Charles. She had no doubt he ,ould satis.y the gna#ing in her. . . gut& i. she #ould let hi/. She #aited to ,ra#l out o. bed till she heard his door lat,h. ?hat #as she going to do@ She had a#a%ened /ore than on,e during the night& her sheets t#isted into %nots& her body a,hing in e/barrassing pla,es& her s%in burning. She ,ra!ed Charles>s tou,h. She #anted to go ba,% to the ,onser!atory to do e!erything they had done o!er again. And then do /ore. ?as this lust@ She>d thought only /en #ere sus,eptible to that /alady& but it see/ed Charles had /anaged to in.e,t her. She snorted. Charles had assured +r. Sto,%ley that she #as sa.e .ro/ his ani/al instin,ts& but perhaps it #as Charles #ho #as in danger. And being here& in the /ar,hioness>s roo/& didn>t help. :t #as a lo!ely& spa,ious roo/ #ith a lo!ely& spa,ious bed and a lo!ely ,onne,ting door that did not lo,%. She ,ould #al% in on Charles any ti/e she pleased. Enough. She #ent to the #ashstand and splashed #ater on her .a,e. he ,old .elt good on her heated s%in. She #ould get dressed and get the girls up. Prinny #ould #ant a #al%. She need not .ear there #ould be any repeat o. last night>s a,ti!ities this /orning. he girls #ould be ade1uate ,haperones. And she #ould %eep stri,t ,ontrol o. her ani/al instin,ts. She put on her oldest dress and pulled her hair ruthlessly ba,% o.. her .a,e& stabbing pins into it to .ashion a bun. A ,olorless pelisse and the bonnet she had been ,onsidering gi!ing +iss Russell .or her garden s,are,ro# ,o/pleted her ense/ble. She stepped into the ,orridor and headed .or the girls> roo/. She #ould si/ply re.use to thin% o. CharlesC<ord KnightsdaleCas anything other than a te/porary e/ployer. She #ould de.initely not allo# hersel. to ,onsider a /ore per/anent position in his household. Be did not lo!e her. Be #as only interested in e0pedien,yCin her he #ould ha!e a go!erness and a breeding .e/ale #ho/ he ,ould easily plant on his estate and .orget about .or /ost o. the year. ?ell& she /ight be t#enty2si0 years old& an ape2leader& but she #as not desperate. "or #as she interested in a tide. She #ould let the <ondon girls ,li/b o!er one another to grab the grand /ar1uis>s attention. Perhaps she #ould see ho# +r. Sto,%ley %issed. DPapa Charles& :>!e ne!er been .ishing be.oreGD E//a s/iled as Claire ran up to Charles. Be grinned do#n at the little girl& and E//a .elt her o#n heart #ren,h. Claire #anted a .ather so badlyC not Aust so/eone to ,all 3ather& but a /an #ho #ould ,hoose to be part o. her li.e. ?ould Charles do that@

"ot i. he planned to li!e in <ondon& only ,o/ing to the ,ountry to so# his seed. E//a .lushed at the odd .eelings that thought a#o%e in her. She didn>t %no# e0a,tly ho# ,hildren #ere begotten& but she #as .airly ,on.ident the pro,edure #as ,losely related to the a,ti!ities she had e0perien,ed in the ,onser!atory. Prinny lunged to greet Charles and al/ost dislo,ated E//a>s shoulder. D5o you need to %eep hi/ on a lead@D Charles as%ed. D:. : #ant to see hi/ again& : do. On,e he>s e0pended so/e o. his energy& : ,an let hi/ o..& but i. : do so no#& he>ll be a.ter a s1uirrel and #e>ll ne!er see hi/ again.D D?ell& let /e ta%e hi/ .or you. Bere& girls& #ould you ,arry your .ishing poles so : ,an help +iss Peterson #ith Prinny@D DO. ,ourse& 8n,le Charles.D D$es& yes& Papa Charles. :>!e ne!er held a .ishing pole be.ore.D D?ell& here you are& then.D Charles distributed the poles and too% Prinny>s lead& shi.ting the bas%et .or their ,at,h to his le.t hand. D$ou %no#& +iss Peterson and : used to go .ishing #hen #e #ere ,hildren. : #as a little older than you& :sabelle& and +iss Peterson #as si0 the .irst ti/e #e #ent to this parti,ular .ishing hole.D Claire s%ipped along ne0t to hi/. DReally@ 5id you ,at,h any .ish& Papa Charles@D D: did& but +iss Peterson Aust ,aught ,old.D Be laughed. DShe .ell in& and : had to pull her out.D D: belie!e : #as pushed in& /y lord.D D?ell& #e ne!er did settle that& did #e@ Robbie insists you tripped.D D?ith so/e help .ro/ his .ootGD hey #al%ed into the #oods& .ollo#ing a narro# dirt path. he air #as ,ooler here and da/p. A #ren #arbled in the high bran,hes. E//a breathed in the sharp& ,lean s,ent o. pine and the so.ter s/ell o. old lea!es. She heard the strea/ burbling o!er the ro,%s up ahead. She had spent so /any hours o. her ,hildhood in these #oods& tagging along a.ter the /an #ho #as no# laughing at so/ething Claire had said. E!en :sabelle had dra#n ,lose to hi/.

Charles 5rays/ith had been only a se,ond son& had ,arried only a ,ourtesy tideCone he had ne!er used& to her %no#ledgeCbut he had /ore ,har/ in his little .inger than his .ather and brother ,o/bined. People lo!ed CharlesC.ar/ #or%ers& shop%eepers& the !illage ,hildren. <ittle E//a Peterson. Be had let her be +aid +arian #hen they played Robin Bood. Or Euine!ere& ignored by the Knights o. the Round able& true& but still a part o. the ga/e. he 5u%e o. Al!ord and the Earl o. ?estbroo%eC then the +ar1uis o. ?althingha/ and His,ount +anders Chad tolerated her& but only be,ause Charles did. +ostly they a,ted as i. she #ere in!isible& e0,ept #hen Robbie ,hose to s1uabble #ith her. Charles had stopped /ore than one o. their argu/ents and had .ished her out o. the strea/ the ti/e she>d DtrippedD o!er Robbie>s .oot. DBere>s a good spot& #ouldn>t you say& <ady Claire@D Charles put do#n the bas%et. Claire ran to the edge o. the #ater. D: don>t see any .ish& Papa Charles.D DO. ,ourse notG 3ish are #ily ,reatures. hey don>t #ant to be ,aught& you %no#.D DBe,ause then they>ll be brea%.astGD Claire ,lapped her hands and hop2s%ipped on her toes. DCan #e eat .ish .or brea%.ast@D DPerhapsCi. #e ,at,h any.D Prinny spotted a s1uirrel and started yapping /adly. DAnd i. this dog doesn>t s,are the/ all a#ay. +iss Peterson& ,an you ta%e ,harge o. Prinny #hile : get the girls settled@D E//a pulled Prinny a short distan,e a#ay. Be bar%ed .or a /inute in protest and then .ound so/ething interesting to s/ell by the base o. a bir,h. D?ould you li%e /e to bait your line .or you& :sabelle@D >$es& please& 8n,le Charles.D Claire leaned against Charles& #at,hing hi/ #or% on :sabelle>s .ishing line. DE##.D She #rin%led her nose. DA #or/.D D?ant a ,loser loo%@D Charles 1ui,%ly brought the #iggling ,reature up to Claire>s .a,e. She s1uealed and dan,ed ba,%& giggling. D"o& Papa Charles. ?or/s are sli/y.D

DSo you don>t #ant to bait your o#n line@ :>ll sho# you ho#.D D$ou ,an sho# /e& 8n,le Charles&D :sabelle said. D:>/ not a baby.D D:>/ not a baby& either.D Claire put her s/all .ists on her hips and stu,% out her tongue at her sister. DSho# /e& Papa Charles.D D<ady Claire& a little /ore deport/ent& i. you pleaseGD Charles said& a note o. laughter in his !oi,e. D?hate!er has your go!erness been tea,hing you@D D5on>t bla/e +iss Peterson& 8n,le Charles&D :sabelle said. D:t is not her .ault i. Claire is bad.D D:>/ not bad.D Claire>s botto/ lip tre/bled. D+a/a Peterson& :>/ not bad& a/ :@ +other used to say : #as& but :>/ not.D E//a dropped Prinny>s lead and ,a/e o!er to hug the little girl. DO. ,ourse you aren>t& s#eetheart. And :>/ sure your /other didn>t /ean you #ere& either. So/eti/es adults Aust get a little snappish.D D"o& +iss Peterson.D :sabelle loo%ed seriously ba,% into E//a>s eyes. D+other . . . #ell& she said . . . she #anted a boy& you see& so she #ouldn>t ha!e to ha!e any /ore babies.D Claire nodded. D:. she>d had a boy& she>d ha!e done her duty.D DPapa needed an heir& +iss Peterson& and Claire and : ,an>t be an heir.D E//a /et Charles>s eyes o!er Claire>s head. Be loo%ed as stri,%en as she .elt. D?ell& :>/ your papa no#& :sabelle&D he said. DAnd : li%e you e0a,tly as you are.D Be too% Claire>s ,hin in his .ingers& leaning ne0t to E//a to loo% the little girl in the eye. DAnd you are not bad& <ady Claire. O. ,ourse not. But you /ust still learn to beha!e. Can you i/agine #hat people #ould say i. +iss Peterson stu,% her tongue out at /y aunt@D Claire giggled. D+a/a Peterson #ould ne!er do thatGD DE0a,tly. So you /ust learn not to either& at least #hen you need your .or/al /anners. But : only /eant to tease you be.oreCyou don>t need .an,y /anners #hen you go .ishing& do you@D D"o@D Claire>s eyes #ere huge in her s/all .a,e. D"o. he .ish don>t ,are. But no tantru/s& /indG he .ish don>t li%e tantru/sCtoo noisy. $ou>d s,are the/ all a#ay.D D"o tantru/s&D Claire agreed.

Charles dropped his hand and loo%ed at :sabelle. D: thin% : had o..ered to sho# you t#o young ladies ho# to bait a .ishing line be.ore #e got o.. on all this boring tal% o. /anners.D :sabelle s/iled. D$es& PC8n,le Charles.D D$ou ,an ,all /e Papa Charles i. you #ant to& :sabelle.D D"o. "o& than% you. :>/ nine.D DAnd :>/ thirty& goose. "ine is not !ery oldC ,ertainly not too old to still #ant a papa.D Charles held out his hand. D:t ,ould be our se,ret.D :sabelle put her hand in Charles>s& but she shoo% her head. DSho# /e ho# to bait the line& 8n,le Charles.D DAnd /e&D Claire said& pushing ,loser. DSho# /e& too.D She glan,ed at E//a. DAnd #hat about +a/a Peterson& Papa Charles@ Are you going to tea,h her ho# to put the sli/y #or/ on the hoo%@D DOh& : taught +iss Peterson years ago& #hen she #as Aust a little older than you& <ady Claire.D D:ndeed&D E//a said& s/iling. DAnd he is a !ery good tea,her.D DAre you going to .ish& too& +iss Peterson@D D"o& :sabelle. : thin% :>ll go %eep Prinny ,o/pany.D D?ait a /o/ent and :>ll spread the blan%et out .or you.D D hat>s all right& /y lord. : ,an do it.D E//a too% the blan%et out o. the bas%et and retreated to the bir,h tree. Prinny had e0pended enough energy that he #as ,ontent to lie in the shade. She sat on the blan%et and #at,hed Charles #ith the ,hildren. Be #ould /a%e a #onder.ul .ather& i. he #ere only #illing to stay at Knightsdale. D"o# don>t get your lines tangled up& girls&D he said. D:>/ going to go sit #ith +iss Peterson and let you .ish by yoursel!es.D DAll right& Papa Charles. ?e>ll ,at,h lots o. .ish .or brea%.ast.D D5on>t ,at,h so /any : ,an>t .it the/ in the bas%et.D

D?e>ll try not to.D Claire s/iled and turned to stare at the #ater& as i. she ,ould #ill the .ish onto her hoo%. Charles too% o.. his ,oat and sat do#n ne0t to E//a. Be loo%ed at the girls. D: guess /y brother and his #i.e #ere not the best parents.D E//a sighed. D: don>t %no# they #ere any di..erent .ro/ /ost o. the ton& but their daughters surely #anted /ore o. the/.D D+ore /ight ha!e been #orse. Eod& : ,an>t belie!e Ce,ilia told the girls she #anted a son so she #ouldn>t be re1uired to ha!e /ore ,hildren.D D?e don>t really %no# she said that& /y lord. Children o.ten /isunderstand. hey hear pie,es and put the pie,es together in a #ay that /a%es sense to the/& but they ha!e a !ery li/ited %no#ledge o. the #orld.D "ot that E//a belie!ed .or a /inute Ce,ilia hadn>t told the girls pre,isely #hat :sabelle had said. he #o/an had been e0,eedingly !ain and sel.2,entered. Co/pletely insensiti!e. Charles shrugged. D?hate!er Ce,ilia said or didn>t say& it>s ,lear the girls need parents no#.D D$es.D E//a hesitated. :t #asn>t really her pla,e& but she .elt ,o/pelled to spea% up. Surely no# he #ould understand the need .or hi/ to stay at Knightsdale. D?hen you /arry& /y lordCD D$ou /ean #hen : /arry you& E//a.D Be turned and loo%ed at her. D he girls li%e you. heyCD Be .ro#ned. D?here did you get that hideous bonnet@D So& he #as Aust no# noti,ing ho# she loo%ed& #as he@ Su,h an attenti!e suitor. D:t>s not hideous. :t>s a per.e,tly satis.a,tory bonnet& espe,ially .or an early /orning .ishing e0pedition.D DOnly i. you intend to use it to ,at,h the .ish. :t /ight /a%e a satis.a,tory netC#ell& bu,%et. $ou should get rid o. it. :n .a,t& :>ll be happy to dispose o. it .or you.D Be rea,hed .or her bonnet strings. E//a put her hands o!er the/ and leaned a#ay. D$ou /ost ,ertainly #ill not. Keep your hands to yoursel.& <ord Knightsdale.D A distin,tly #i,%ed glea/ appeared in his eyes. DBut : did so enAoy not %eeping the/ to /ysel. last night.D

DBeha!e yoursel.& sirGD D+ustCD DPapa Charles& Papa Charles& : ,at,hed aCD he rest o. the senten,e #as lost in a loud splash. D8n,le Charles&D :sabelle shouted& DClaire has .allen into the #ater and she ,an>t s#i/.D E//a lur,hed to her .eet& but Charles #as .ar .aster than she. Be #as in the strea/ #ith Claire in his ar/s be.ore E//a had untangled her s%irts. DClaire& s#eetheart&D he said& Dit>s the .ish that ,o/e out o. the #ater& not little girls that go in.D Claire sputtered and ,oughed. D he .ish got a#ay& Papa Charles.D D?ell& you>ll ,at,h another one& another day. And : #ill tea,h youCand :sabelleCto s#i/. ?ould you li%e that@D D$esGD E//a .inally /ade it to the edge o. the strea/. She stood ne0t to :sabelle and loo%ed at the t#o in the #ater. Claire ,ould ha!e been terri.ied& but she #as grinning and hugging Charles tightly around the ne,%. Be #as soa%ed to the s%in& his shirt and bree,hes plastered to his body. Be loo%ed #onder.ul. +ore than #onder.ul. he lust o. the night be.ore surged ba,%& and she ,onsidered Aoining the/ in the #ater. She needed so/e #ay to ,ool her heated blood. Charles ,arried Claire piggyba,% to Knightsdale. She sat on his shoulders& ,hatting and laughing. She didn>t see/ the #orse .or her dun%ing& but he !o#ed to tea,h her and :sabelle to s#i/ at the .irst opportunity. ?ith a la%e on the property& it #as /u,h too dangerous .or the girls not to %no# ho#. rue& Claire #as a little young& but she ,ould learn enough to sa!e hersel. i. she #ere to .all in again. And :sabelle de.initely should %no#. Be had taught E//a #hen she #as only si0. Be glan,ed do#n at the #o/an #al%ing ne0t to hi/. Be>d gi!en her lessons a.ter Robbie had tripped her and she& li%e Claire& had .allen into the strea/. he other boys had laughed at .irstCshe had loo%ed .unny #ith her s%irts spread out in the #aterCbut he>d seen the .ear in her eyes. She had sho#n no .ear in their lessons. Be s/iled. She>d been deter/ined not to let Robbie get the better o. her again.

5id she re/e/ber ho# to s#i/@ Bis s/ile #idened. Be>d be happy to re2e!aluate her s%ills. his a.ternoon perhaps& in one o. the /ore se,luded se,tions o. the la%e. She ,ould #ear her shi.t. DPapa CharlesGD Claire tugged sharply on his hair. Be shi.ted her on his shoulders as he ,onte/plated the !ision o. E//a in the #ater& ,lothed in her shi.t. Ber #et shi.t. Ber sheer& translu,ent& #et shi.t that outlined e!ery one o. her lo!ely ,ur!es and teased hi/ #ith a gli/pse& a shado#& o. the ,urls abo!e her thighs. :. it #ere ,hilly& her nipples #ould harden into little pea%s under the #et ,loth& be,%oning . . . DOu,hG hat hair is atta,hed to /y head& <ady Claire.D DSorry& Papa Charles& but you #eren>t >tending.D D8/.D Be reali-ed suddenly that his soa%ed bree,hes #ould re!eal to anyone #ho ,ared to loo% e0a,tly #hat thoughts he had been attending to. Be .or,ed his /ind to ,onsider topi,s that did not relate to E//a in any .ashion. Estate /anage/ent. Ah. hat #or%ed li%e a ,har/. Be glan,ed at E//a again. She #as studying the ground. At least he assu/ed that #as #hat she #as doingChe ,ouldn>t see her .a,e. Ber hideous headgear ,o/pletely obs,ured her .eatures. Perhaps a ,ooper rather than a /illiner had .ashioned the thing. :t ,ertainly did loo% /ore li%e a bu,%et than a bonnet. Be #ould Aust ha!e to ,ontri!e so/e a,,ident to rid the #orld o. its insulting e0isten,e. DPapa Charles& sin,e #e didn>t ,at,h any .ish& #hat ,an #e eat .or brea%.ast@ :>/ hungry.D D5on>t #orry& <ady Claire&D he said. >D?e>ll Aust stop in to see Coo%. She>s sure to ha!e so/ething tasty.D D?e ,an>t bother Coo%& 8n,le Charles.D D?hy e!er not& :sabelle@ : used to bother Coo% all the ti/e #hen : #as your age& didn>t :& +iss Peterson@D D$es.D E//a still didn>t loo% at hi/. D?ell& you did by the ti/e : /et you. $ou #ere al#ays hungry. : belie!e Coo% ,alled you an i/p o. Satan& but she ga!e you the best o. #hate!er she hadCthe biggest pastry or the ripest .ruit.D D?ere you Aealous& +iss Peterson@D E//a glan,ed at hi/ 1ui,%ly& then turned her eyes .or#ard. DO. ,ourse not& /y lord. : #as in a#e o. your ability to ,onsu/e li/itless 1uantities o. .ood.D

DAh& but : #as a gro#ing boy.D D:>/ a gro#ing girl& Papa Charles&D Claire said& boun,ing on his shoulders. D?hat #ill Coo% ha!e to eat& do you thin%@D DPerhaps gooseberry tarts. +//. "ot e0a,tly brea%.ast .ood& but Coo%>s gooseberry tarts are splendid.D Coo% /ight not be up to <ondon standards #hen it ,a/e to preparing a dinner .or the ton& but she ,ertainly did so/e things #ell. Be glan,ed do#n at :sabelle. She #as too 1uiet again. DBa!e you e!er had any o. Coo%>s gooseberry tarts& :sabelle@D D"o& 8n,le Charles. +other said #e #ould get .at i. #e ate tarts& and it is !ery hard to ,at,h a husband i. you are .at.D Charles .elt his Aa# drop. DEa//onG $ou are only nine years old& :sabelle. A .e# tarts #ill not land you on the /atri/onial shel..D D+other said it #as ne!er too early to thin% about the .uture. :t>s not as i. #e ,an li!e at Knightsdale our #hole li!es.D Charles stared at :sabelle& not sure #hether to laugh or ,urse. Bad Paul not %no#n #hat his #i.e had been telling the girls@ D:>!e had a gooseberry tart& Papa Charles.D DClaireGD :sabelle said. D5on>t lie.D D:>/ notG : snea%ed into the %it,hen on,e and too% one. : didn>t li%e it. :t burned /y /outh.D D?ell& there>s no need .or snea%ing any#here&D Charles said. D?e shall #al% into the %it,hen& #ish Coo% a good /orning& and see i. she has anything .or us to eat.D DAre you ,ertain #e ,an& 8n,le Charles@D ?rin%les et,hed :sabelle>s .orehead. D+other said ne!er to bother Coo%.D DO. ,ourse :>/ ,ertain& :sabelle.D Be turned to E//a. Ber head #as up& her .a,e tight #ith ,on,ern. D+iss Peterson& you are the go!erness. ?hat do you say@ A/ : right that #e ,an enter the %it,hen #ith i/punity@D DO. ,ourse& /y lord.D E//a s/iled& but a line still ,reased her bro#. Be>d #ager that she& too& #ould s,rea/ i. she heard D+other saidD one /ore ti/e. :t #as #rong to thin% ill o. the dead& but& #ell& he did not /iss Ce,ilia at the /o/ent. DSee@D he said. D:. a go!erness says so& it /ust be true. Eo!ernesses ne!er #ant you to do anything .un& do they@D

D+y lordGD E//a put her hands on her hips. D$ou /ust not /align the noble pro.ession o. go!erness.D Claire giggled. DBut it>s true& +a/a Peterson. +iss Bodge%iss ne!er let us do anything .un.D D5idn>t : let you go on this .ishing e0,ursion@D D$es& but you aren>t a real go!erness&D :sabelle said. here #as still a note o. #orry in her !oi,e. D?ell& : a/ a real /ar1uis.D Charles li.ted Claire o.. his shoulders. DAnd : say #e ,an go into the %it,hen.D Be stood as tall as he ,ould and tried to loo% li%e the 5u%e o. Al!ord did #hen he #as his /ost du%eish. DA,tually& no# that : thin% on it& this is /y %it,hen. : a/ the +ar1uis o. Knightsdale& a/ : not@D D he +ar1uis o. KnightsdaleGD Claire yelled. D?at,h out& Coo%GD D: don>t thin% Coo% #ill li%e being shouted at& <ady Claire&D E//a said. >Hery true& +iss Peterson. As they say& you #ill ,at,h /ore .lies #ith honey than !inegar.D Claire #rin%led her nose. DBut : don>t #ant any .lies& Papa Charles.D D5on>t be silly& Claire.D :sabelle suddenly sounded !ery /u,h the /ore e0perien,ed older sister. D8n,le Charles Aust /eans you are /ore li%ely to get #hat you #ant i. you as% ni,ely and don>t order people around.D DPre,isely. Ordering Coo% to gi!e us .ood #ill Aust put her ba,% up. ?e need a /ore subtle approa,h.D Charles #ent do#n on one %nee so he ,ould loo% both girls in the .a,e. D:>!e .ound appealing to Coo%>s #ar/ heart #or%s !ery #ell. $ou and :& <ady Claire& are a !ery bedraggled pair a.ter our dun%ing in the strea/. :>/ ,ertain Coo% ,annot resist .eeling sorry .or us. 5o you thin% you ,an loo% piti.ul@D DOh& yes& Papa Charles.D Claire opened her eyes !ery #ide and turned do#n the ,orners o. her /outh. E!en :sabelle giggled. DHery good. : #ill let you ta%e the lead in the piti.ul approa,h. "o#& <ady :sabelle&D Charles said& turning and putting his hands on her shoulders. hey .elt so .ragile under his .ingers. D: thin% you /ight do #ell to spearhead our ,har/ atta,%.D DChar/ atta,%@ ?hat do you /ean& 8n,le Charles@D D?ell& : ha!e noti,ed that you ha!e the lo!eliest s/ile.D

D: do@D :sabelle turned bright pin%. Charles grinned. D$es& indeed. ?hen you s/ile& your eyes spar%le in 1uite a re/ar%able #ay. :>/ sure i. you s/ile at Coo%& she #ill let us ha!e #hate!er treats #e /ay li%e.D DReally@D Charles blin%ed. Be had been teasing :sabelle& but no# that she #as grinning at hi/& he sa# that it #as true. She had a beauti.ul s/ile. :t lit her thin& angular .a,e #ith an ethereal lo!eliness that 1uite too% his breath a#ay. Be !o#ed to get her to s/ile /ore o.ten. D: thin% #e>re ready to in!ade the %it,hen.D So/eho# E//a had to persuade Charles to stay at Knightsdale. he girls needed hi/. She sat on the ben,h at the long %it,hen table and #at,hed :sabelle and Claire bloo/ under Charles>s attention. o ha!e any /an ta%e an interest in the/ #as #onder.ulCtheir .ather ,ertainly ne!er hadCbut to ha!e Charles be that /an #as beyond #onder.ul. Be #as ,har/ing the/ Aust as he ,har/ed e!eryone. Iust as he had ,har/ed her #hen she #as a girl. Coo% had presented Prinny #ith a bone shortly a.ter they entered her do/ain& and he #as happily gna#ing on it in the ,orner by the .ire. Claire had s,ra/bled onto the ben,h ne0t to Charles. She sat ,lose enough to tou,h hi/. She patted his slee!e and rested her head against his shoulder #hen so/eone besides hersel. #as tal%ing. E//a suspe,ted she #ould ha!e ,li/bed into his lap& gi!en hal. a ,han,e. :sabelle sat ne0t to E//a& a,ross .ro/ Charles. Being nine& she #as too gro#n2up to ,ling to hi/ physi,ally& but she #as ,linging to hi/ #ith her eyes. E//a sa# a slight blush spread o!er :sabelle>s ,hee%s a.ter one o. Charles>s s/all ,o/pli/ents. She>d #ager :sabelle #as /ore than hal. in lo!e #ith her un,le. An inno,ent in.atuation& one she #ould soon outgro#. 8nli%e E//a. E//a sat up straighter. his #ould ne!er do. Charles #as ,har/ing& but he #as not .or her. She #as going to shop a/ong the other eligible /en& she had de,ided. +r. Sto,%ley& .or e0a/ple . . . "o& she #ould not thin% about +r. Sto,%ley right no#. She #ould Aust enAoy being here #ith Charles and the girls. DBere& <ady :sabelle& ha!e so/e /ore bread& do&D Coo% said& putting a large sli,e o. .resh bread on :sabelle>s plate.

D han% you& Coo%.D :sabelle>s rare s/ile lit her .a,e. Coo% blin%ed& then s/iled broadly at E//a. E//a s/iled ba,%. She #ished she had thought to bring the girls here be.ore. She>d ne!er i/agined Ce,ilia #ould ha!e %ept the/ .ro/ this ha!en #ith its sunny& high #indo#s and #ar/ s/ells o. ba%ing. Coo% #as a plain& ,heer.ul #o/an& broad o. girth and heart. She /ight not be able to /a%e an elegant 3ren,h sau,e& but she ,ould /a%e a little girl s/ile. DAnd /ay #e ha!e so/e Aa/& too& please& Coo%@D E//a had to /u..le a laugh at Claire>s ingratiating e0pression. DO. ,ourse ye /ay& <ady Claire. And #ould ye li%e a taste o. /y le/on ,a%e@D DOh& yes& please.D D: don>t suppose you ha!e any gooseberry tarts about& do you& Coo%@D Charles leaned to#ard Coo% and .lashed his o#n ingratiating grin. his ti/e E//a did not ha!e the urge to laughC,ry& /aybe. Be #as breathta%ingly handso/e. DAyeChappen : do& /y lord.D DSplendidG +ay : ha!e one@D Be loo%ed at E//a. DAnd you& +iss Peterson@ ?ould you ,are .or one o. Coo%>s gooseberry tarts@D D"o& than% you& /y lord.D DAre ye sure& +iss Peterson@D Coo% as%ed. D: ha!e plenty.D D"o& than% you& Coo%. : don>t ,are .or gooseberries& but : #ill ta%e a sli,e o. your le/on ,a%e& i. : /ight.D D"ot ,are .or gooseberries& +iss Peterson@D Charles as%ed as Coo% #ent to .et,h the tarts. D$ou ha!e no taste& : .ear.D D"ot e!eryone lo!es gooseberries as you do& /y lord.D D?ell& perhaps that is a good thing. :t lea!es /ore .or /e& doesn>t it@D Charles too% a tart .ro/ the top o. the plate Coo% put on the table. E//a #at,hed hi/ bite into it. Be had strong& #hite teeth& so unli%e +r. Sto,%ley>s yello#ed& ,roo%ed ones. A little o. the gooseberry .illing s1uirted onto his ,hin and his tongue slid out to ,apture it. <ud& e!en his tongue loo%ed strong.

People did not ha!e strong tonguesG hough his tongue ,ertainly had .elt strong #hen it had been in her. . . E//a too% a large bite o. le/on ,a%e. D?ould ye li%e so/e ,old /il%& +iss Peterson@ $e loo% a little .lushed.D E//a shoo% her head no. Ber /outh #as too .ullCand she #as too /orti.iedCto get the #ord out. Charles loo%ed at her and li.ted one o. his /as,uline eyebro#s. +as,uline eyebro#s@ She ,onte/plated banging her head against the #ooden table to %no,% so/e sense into itCor at least the lust out. D?e #ent .ishing& Coo%&D Claire said. DPapa Charles sho#ed us ho# to put the #or/s on the hoo%s. hen : ,at,hed a .ish& but : .ell in and Papa Charles sa!ed /e& and no# he>s going to tea,h /e and :sabelle to s#i/.D Coo%>s eyes #idened #hen she heard DPapa CharlesD and then she bea/ed at <ord Knightsdale. Charles>s ears turned red. EoodChe ,ould stand a little e/barrass/ent. :sabelle added to the story& her !oi,e young and enthusiasti,& li%e a nine2year2old girl instead o. a s/all adult. Charles had to stay at Knightsdale. Be brought .unCad!enture and laughterCinto the girls> li!es. hey had not /issed hi/ be.ore& be,ause they had not %no#n hi/. "o# i. he le.t to li!e /ost o. the year in <ondonCit didn>t bear thin%ing o.. heir hearts #ould brea%. E//a re.used to ,onsider i. it #ould be only the girls> hearts brea%ing. D hat #as ,apital& Coo%& but : thin% #e had better be going.D Charles stood& brushing ,ru/bs .ro/ his bree,hes. D:>/ a.raid Claire and : are sorely in need o. a bath.D D: don>t need a bath& Papa Charles. : only ha!e baths on Sundays.D DOr on days #hen you>!e had a dun%ing in the strea/&D he said. Claire .ro#ned and stu,% out her lo#er lip. Charles laughed. D"o tantru/s no#& <ady Claire. Re/e/ber the .ish don>t li%e the/& nor do :. Eo #ith +iss Peterson& and she and "anny #ill get you all ,leaned up.D D: don>t li%e baths.D Claire ,rossed her ar/s& her .a,e ta%ing on a distin,tly /ulish e0pression. D?ould you li%e to use a little o. /y la!ender #ater@D E//a as%ed.

:t #as as i. a ,loud had /o!ed a#ay .ro/ the sun. D$esG hen :>ll s/ell li%e you& #on>t :@D E//a laughed. D$es& then you>ll s/ell li%e /e.D DAnd you s/ell good. 5on>t you thin% +a/a Peterson s/ells good& Papa Charles@D Charles grinned slo#ly. DOh& yes. +iss Peterson s/ells !ery ni,e& indeed.D E//a s#ore she .lushed .ro/ the roots o. her hair to the ends o. her toenails. D8/& #ell& let>s go then& Claire. Co/e& Prinny.D She bent to .asten the dog>s lead ba,% on his ,ollar. "o use ta%ing ,han,es #ith so /any strangers in the house. Charles #as still s/ir%ing as he stepped aside to let her pre,ede hi/ out o. the %it,hen. Be #al%ed #ith the/ up the stairs to the bedroo/ .loor. D+iss Peterson& : #ill see you later.D D?hat about us& Papa Charles@ ?ill you see us later& too@D Charles ru..led Claire>s hair. D: #ill stop by the nursery #hen : ,an& i/p. : ha!e an appoint/ent #ith +r. Coles& the estate /anager& and then : ha!e to play host to all these <ondon ladies and gentsCthat>s #hy #e #ent .ishing so early this /orning& so : ,ould see you be.ore /y other duties.D DPlease@ $ou ha!e to see i. : s/ell as good as +a/a Peterson.D Charles grinned. D3or a treat li%e that& : #ill ,ertainly try /y hardest. Perhaps : ,an steal a .e# /inutes be.ore dinner. "o# run along and get your bath.D E//a and the girls al/ost /ade it sa.ely to the nursery. hey #ould ha!e /ade it easily& i. E//a had not stopped to get the la!ender #ater. As it #as& they #ere only a .e# yards .ro/ the nursery stairs #hen t#o giggling young ladies e/erged .ro/ a roo/ right into their path. Prinny bar%ed and lunged .or#ard. he young ladiesC+iss Oldston and <ady CarolineCs,rea/ed. D5on>t be s,ared&D Claire said. DPrinny>s !ery .riendly.D <ady Caroline sni..ed& her .ull ,hee%s ,reased into a .ro#n& her stubby nose turned up in disdain. She bore a stri%ing rese/blan,e to S1uire Begley>s pri-e pig& :!yCor D hat 5a/n :!y&D as he #as #ont to ,all her. D: a/ not s,ared. : Aust do not ,are .or dogs& nasty& dirty things.D

+iss Oldston gu..a#ed& her lips turning ba,% to sho# her si-able teeth. DAt least it ain>t a ,at& Caro. At least you ain>t s#elling up& all red and it,hy.D <ady Caroline turned her displeasure on +iss Oldston. DReally& A/anda& you need to ,ontrol yoursel.. $ou loo% and sound Aust li%e a horse.D DBetter than loo%ing li%e a pig. :. you #ant Knightsdale>s attentions& you>d better pay less attention to his ,a%es and ,rea/ pu..s.D D?ell& he ,ertainly isn>t going to ,hoose a s%inny /are li%e you.D DPapa Charles is going to ,hoose +a/a Peterson.D he sudden silen,e that .ollo#ed Claire>s artless #ords #as thi,% enough to su..o,ate so/eone. :t ,ertainly #as su..o,ating E//a. <ady Caroline gapedF +iss Oldston>s already pro/inent eyes be,a/e noti,eably /ore pro/inent. E//a ,losed her o#n eyes brie.ly& #ishing she ,ould !anish into the #ood#or%. DPapa Charles@D +iss Oldston said. D+a/a Peterson@D <ady Caroline>s hard little eyes e0a/ined E//a. DClaire& 8n,le Charles told you not to ,all hi/ >Papa> in ,o/panyGD Claire shrugged. D: had to tell the/& :sabelle.D She loo%ed up at <ady Caroline and +iss Oldston. D+y /other and .ather died in :t. . .DCshe paused& ,learly trying to get the #ord rightCDin :taly. 8n,le Charles is /y papa no#. And he is going to /arry +iss Peterson.D DOh& really@D <ady Caroline slo#ly sur!eyed E//a>s old dress& shabby pelisse& and disreputable bonnet. DBo# odd. : /ust ha!e /issed the announ,e/ent. 5id you hear it& A/anda@D D<ady Caroline& +iss Oldston&D E//a said& D<ady Claire is only .our. She has a !ery a,ti!e i/agination.D D+a/a Peterson& : did not i/agine Papa Charles #ith you on the blan%et.D D he blan%et@D D?e #ent .ishing this /orning& <ady Caroline&D E//a said. D<ord Knightsdale #ants to spend so/e ti/e #ith his nie,es& naturally& to be,o/e better a,1uainted #ith the/& as he is their guardian no#. And :>/ a,ting as their go!erness #hile their usual go!erness is o.. attending to her ailing /other.D E//a %ne# she #as babbling. Really& she did not o#e <ady Caroline the slightest e0planation& but neither ,ould she bear .or this gossip to .ly through the house party. D: #as Aust ta%ing the girls to the nursery to tidy up a.ter their .ishing trip. <ady Claire .ell into the strea/.D

D: see. Bo# %ind o. <ord Knightsdale to ta%e an interest in his brother>s orphans& don>t you agree& A/anda@D D$es& Caro& !ery %ind.D D hough :>/ ,ertain that #ill ,hange on,e he #eds&D <ady Caroline said #ith a ,ondes,ending little laugh. D: a/ ,ertain it #ill not ,hange& <ady Caroline.D Bo# ,ould this spoiled girl say su,h a thing #ith Claire and :sabelle standing right in .ront o. her@ E//a #ished Prinny #ere as !i,ious as she .elt at the /o/ent. She #ould lo!e to let the dog ta%e a bite out o. <ady Caroline>s a/ple ba,%side. DOh& +iss Peterson.D <ady Caroline shoo% her head& ,hu,%ling. DPerhaps i. you had /ade your ,o/e out& you>d be /ore a#are o. the #ays o. the ton.D Prinny #ould ha!e to #ait his turn. E//a #anted to ta%e a bite out o. <ady Caroline #ith her !ery o#n teeth. D: /ay not be inti/ately ,on!ersant #ith the #ays o. the ton& <ady Caroline& but : ha!e %no#n <ord Knightsdale sin,e #e #ere ,hildren. Be #ould ne!er abandon his nie,es.D Physi,ally abandon the/ .or <ondon& perhaps& but ne!er e/otionally abandon the/. :. the girls needed anything& E//a #as ,on!in,ed Charles #ould see that they had it. DAnd you are . . . inti/ately . . . ,on!ersant #ith <ord Knightsdale>s #ays@D D"o& o. ,ourse not& <ady Caroline. : only /eant. . .D D:t /atters little #hat you /eant& +iss Peterson. $ou see/ to ha!e .orgotten one ,ru,ial .a,tC<ord Knightsdale #ill ha!e a #i.e. : doubt any lady o. the ton #ill #ant to ta%e ,harge o. his brother>s brats.D D$ou>re a bad ladyGD Claire said. E//a heard the tears in her !oi,e. :sabelle loo%ed as #hite as a ghost DAnd you>re a !ery badly beha!ed ,hild&D <ady Caroline said. D$ou>d better /ind your /anners i. you don>t #ant to end up in the #or%house.D E//a had had enough. She dropped Prinny>s lead. 3reed& the dog s,ra/bled .or <ady Caroline>s e0pansi!e #hite /uslin s%irts. Sin,e he had been out by the strea/& his pa#s had ,olle,ted a generous 1uantity o. .ine Kentish /ud. E//a grinned. <ady Caroline ,ould s,rea/ !ery loudly indeed.

D?e ha!e to do so/ething& Claire.D :sabelle sat on Claire>s bed. +iss Peterson had gone do#nstairs to Aoin the house partyF "anny #as napping. Claire #as supposed to be napping& and :sabelle #as supposed to be reading& but :sabelle de,ided this #as too i/portant to put o... D?e ,an>t let 8n,le Charles /arry any o. the <ondon ladies.D Claire sat up& rubbing the s/ooth end o. her old blan%et along her ,hee%. DPapa Charles is going to /arry +a/a Peterson.D D: hope so& but #e ,an>t ta%e that .or granted& Claire. : thin% #e had better do so/ething to /a%e ,ertain they de,ide to /arry ea,h other.D Prinny padded in and Au/ped onto Claire>s bed. A.ter his long ro/p on the /orning .ishing e0pedition and the e0,ite/ent o. ,hasing +iss Oldston and <ady Caroline do#n the ,orridor& he #as e0,eptionally /ello#. Be rested his head in :sabelle>s lap and let her stro%e his ears. DBo# do #e do that& :sabelle@D hat #as the 1uestion :sabelle had been struggling #ith e!er sin,e +iss Peterson had dragged the/ up to the nursery. +iss Peterson had been so angry& she hadn>t been able to spea%. She had sto/ped around and /uttered and apologi-ed in short& rough senten,es .or the /ean <ondon ladies. D: thin% #e need to see that +iss Peterson and 8n,le Charles are together as /u,h as possible.D D?e ,an go .ishing e!ery /orning. : li%ed that.D D"o& : thin% they ha!e to be alone& ClaireCAust the t#o o. the/.D D?hy@D :sabelle shrugged. D:>/ not ,ertain. +rs. <a/bert #as tal%ing to "anny last #ee% about a +iss ?endle #ho li!es in the house #here +rs. <a/bert>s sister #or%s. +iss ?endle #as alone #ith <ord So/ebody2or2other and they got /arried right a#ay. : thin% +rs. <a/bert #as going to tell "anny /ore& but then she sa# /e and stopped.D Claire put her ,hin on her %nees. D+a/a Peterson sleeps in +other>s roo/ no#. here>s only a door bet#een her roo/ and Papa Charles>s roo/.D :sabelle nodded. D+aybe i. #e put so/ething +iss Peterson needsCli%e her brushCin 8n,le Charles>s roo/& she>ll ha!e to go in there to .ind it.D DAnd let>s get rid o. that ugly bonnet she had on today.D

:sabelle sighed. D$es. : #ish there #as a #ay to get rid o. so/e o. her dressesCthey are not as pretty as the <ondon ladies> ,lothes.D DPapa Charles doesn>t ,are about that.D D: don>t %no#& Claire. : thin% /en li%e #o/en in pretty ,lothes. +other al#ays #anted the ne#est .ashions. : heard her and 3ather arguing about it on,e.D D?ell& i. they #ere arguing& 3ather /ust not ha!e li%ed the ,lothes.D D"o& they #ere arguing about the ,ost& not the ,lothes. And #hen they /ade up& they ended up in +other>s roo/ together.D :sabelle rubbed Prinny>s ba,%. D:t>s a good thing 8n,le Charles>s and +iss Peterson>s bedroo/s are right ne0t to ea,h other. ?e>ll try to get the/ together there& and /aybe the ,lothes #on>t /atter so /u,h.D DAll right. ?e ,an do that as soon as : .inish /y nap. "anny said all the house guests #ere going to #al% around the la%e& so +a/a and Papa #on>t be in their roo/s.D :sabelle nodded& but her /ind #as still on the .ashion proble/. She #ished +iss Peterson>s ,lothes #ere prettier& but there #asn>t anything she and Claire ,ould do about that. But /aybe there #as so/ething they ,ould do to /a%e the <ondon ladies less attra,ti!e. She grinned. D<et>s /a%e those /ean #o/en uglier& too.D D$ou ,an>t /a%e the .at lady uglier&D Claire said. DShe loo%s li%e a pig.D D$es& but a #ell2dressed pig.D D"ot so #ell dressed no# that Prinny has had his pa#s all o!er her s%irts.D Claire leaned .or#ard and patted Prinny>s head. DEood dog.D Prinny li,%ed her hand. D$es& but re/e/ber ho# the horsey lady& +iss Oldston& said it #as a good thing Prinny #asn>t a ,at@D Claire nodded. DShe said the piggy lady #ould get all red and it,hy i. Prinny #ere a ,at.D DAnd s#ollen& though it>s hard to i/agine ho# <ady Caroline ,ould be any .atter.D Claire giggled. DJueen Bess is a ,at.D DE0a,tly.D :sabelle grinned. DAnd : bet she #ould lo!e to see <ady Caroline>s bed,ha/ber.D

Chapter #
E//a #as still .urious #hen she Aoined the other house party guests .or a stroll around the la%e. She stayed as .ar a#ay .ro/ <ady Caroline and +iss Oldston as she ,ouldC #hi,h /eant she also stayed .ar a#ay .ro/ Charles. he young ladies #ere s#ar/ing around hi/ li%e bees on spilled le/onade. Bo# ,ould those spoiled /isses ha!e said su,h hate.ul things in .ront o. Claire and :sabelle@ :t #as beyond her understanding. 5id they thin% the girls #ere dea.@ Or stupid@ :. Prinny hadn>t /uddied their go#ns& E//a #ould ha!e . . . #hat@ ?hat ,ould she do@ She #as only the te/porary go!erness. D:t is a .ine day& is it not& +iss Peterson@D She ,ould a,,ept Charles>s o..er. She>d li%e to see those nasty girls> .a,es #hen that announ,e/ent #as /ade. And i. she a,tually #ere the /ar,hioness& she ,ould ha!e those t#o harpies tossed out on their ears. D+iss Peterson@D E//a blin%ed. +r. Sto,%ley #as by her side& loo%ing at her in1uiringly. D:>/ sorry& sir. : #as #oolgathering. $ou #ere saying@D D+erely ,o//enting on the #eather& +iss Peterson.D D he #eather@D D$es. he day is !ery .ine& do you not agree@D D$es. Certainly. Hery .ine.D E//a loo%ed .or so/eone to res,ue her .ro/ +r. Sto,%ley>s e0,ru,iatingly dull ,on!ersation& but no sa!ior #as apparent. +ost o. the gentle/en #ere ,lustered around the young ladies #ho #ere still ,lustered around Charles. <ady Beatri,e and the So,iety .or the Better/ent o. ?o/en had ele,ted to stay indoorsCE//a hoped Charles had lo,%ed up the brandy. he 5u%e o. Al!ord #as %eeping his #i.e ,o/pany #hile she napped. At least that is #hat he>d said he #as doing& but E//a had noti,ed the sa/e intent e0pression on his .a,e that Charles had had in the ,onser!atory. he Earl o. ?estbroo%e had gone to .et,h Al!ord>s sister& <i--ie& and +eg #as probably o.. in!estigating Charles>s herb garden. DAre you enAoying your stay at Knightsdale& +iss Peterson@D D8/. $es. O. ,ourse. And you& sir@ Are you .inding your a,,o//odations satis.a,tory@D Be should be. +r. At#orthy>s house #as ,o/.ortable but ,ould not bear ,o/parison #ith Knightsdale.

DHery satis.a,tory. : a/ /u,h interested in grand houses& you %no#. he ar,hite,ture& .urnishings& statuary.D D:ndeed@D DOh& yes. Ba!e you had an opportunity to e0plore Knightsdale& +iss Peterson@ :n your ,apa,ity o. go!erness& perhaps& or as a young girl@ : understand you and the /ar1uis #ere ,hildhood .riends. 5id you play in the atti,s or the ,ellars@ :n any odd little ,losets or ,ubbyholes@D +r. Sto,%ley>s eyes shone #ith enthusias/. ?ell& +eg ,ould get e0tre/ely ani/ated o!er so/e t#ig or other. Eetting e0,ited about a house #as li%ely /ore understandable than being in alt o!er a #eed. Knightsdale #as a !ery i/pressi!e estate. D"o& +r. Sto,%ley& the girls and : ha!e stayed in the /ain parts o. the house. And : #asn>t really a ,hildhood .riend o. <ord KnightsdaleC/ore a ,hildhood nuisan,e. $ou /ight as% <ord ?estbroo%e or his gra,e. Or <ord Knightsdale hi/sel.& o. ,ourse.D +r. Sto,%ley ,hu,%led. D: don>t belie!e <ord Knightsdale is terribly .ond o. /e.D hat #as an understate/ent. Charles loo%ed at +r. Sto,%ley Aust as <ady Beatri,e>s Jueen Bess loo%ed at Prinny. ?ith disdain. Or disgust. D:>/ ,ertain he #ould gi!e you a tour i. you as%ed& +r. Sto,%ley. Or perhaps +rs. <a/bert& the house%eeper& #ould be #illing to sho# you the house.D DAnd you& +iss Peterson@ ?ould you be #illing@D D+r. Sto,%ley& : assure you : #ould not be a suitable guide.D hey tra!ersed a bend in the path and ,a/e upon a ,learing #ith a Eothi, ,ottage. he ladies and /ost o. the gentle/en had gone up to e0a/ine the stru,ture /ore ,losely. Charles stood ba,%& hands on hips& staring. Be loo%ed o!er at E//a. D?hat the hCD Be ,oughed. D?hat is this@D DA Eothi, ,ottage& /y lord.D D: %no# it is a Eothi, ,ottage& +iss Peterson. ?hat : #ish to %no# is #hat it is doing here.D Bis s#eeping gesture en,o/passed the trees and the la%e. D$ou>!e not seen it be.ore& /y lord@D +r. Sto,%ley as%ed. D"o& : ha!e not.D

> hat is not surprising&D E//a said. D:t #asn>t here the last ti/e you !isited& /y lord. he late /ar,hioness had it built shortly a.ter she /arried your brother.D Charles grunted. DAre there any other /onstrosities littering the estate& +iss Peterson@D D"o ne# /onstrosities& /y lord. All the other .ollies #ere built by your .ather or grand.ather or great grand.ather& : thin%&D D han% Eod .or that. : #as a.raid : /ight stu/ble onto a repli,a o. Prinny>s Brighton stable ne0t.D E//a e0pe,ted an ar,hite,tural enthusiast li%e +r. Sto,%ley to Aoin the group e0,lai/ing o!er the building& but he barely ga!e it a glan,e on,e he heard it #as a relati!ely ne# stru,ture. Be #andered on ahead. E//a hea!ed a sigh o. relie.. DBappy to be rid o. your beau@D Charles as%ed. DShh.D E//a glan,ed at the others& but they #ere still ,ooing o!er the stained2glass #indo#s. D+r. Sto,%ley is not /y beau.D D: a/ !ery glad to hear that& s#eetheart.D Charles had not #anted to lead this parade o. idiots around the la%e. Be had #anted to spend ti/e #ith E//a. Alone. Persuading her to a,,ept his suit. hey ,ould in!estigate that ridi,ulous ,ottage& .or instan,e& to see i. it had a ,o/.ortable bed and a sturdy lo,%. Be should de.initely loo% into that issue. One ne!er %ne# #hen one /ight be ,aught out in a stor/. At least Sto,%ley had .inally re/o!ed hi/sel.. Charles too% E//a>s hand and pla,ed it on his ar/. Be #anted her #ith hi/Cand i. she #ere .ir/ly atta,hed to his side& he ,ould not get stu,% #ith one o. the giggling girls. Al!ord and ?estbroo%e had #isely dodged this treat. Be #ould ha!e a .e# ,hoi,e #ords .or the/ #hen he sa# the/ later. Besides +r. Sto,%ley& the only /enCand he used that ter/ !ery looselyC assisting hi/ in es,orting the ladies #ere three bee.2#itted ,lodpolls. +r. ?illia/ 5unlee& a portly youngster other#ise %no#n as DChubs&D #as the Earl o. 5unlee>s se,ond son. Pi/ply +r. 3ra/ptonC DSpotsDC#as the oldest son o. a baron. And +r. Oldston& aptly ,hristened > oadD in honor o. the bulging eyes that #ere a .a/ily trait& #as Sir ho/as>s heir. hey had all attended uni!ersity together and had /anaged to es,ape #ithout ,luttering their brains #ith a s,intilla o. %no#ledge& as .ar as he ,ould tell. ?here had his aunt ,olle,ted su,h an assort/ent o. ,abbage2heads@ :. these sprigs and giggling /isses represented the .uture o. British nobility& England #as in serious trouble. Right no# Chubs& Spots& and oad #ere tossing ba,helor>s buttons at ea,h other. heir

,oats and bree,hes bristled #ith the burrs& and the silly young girls #at,hing the/ #ere laughing as i. this #as the .unniest spe,ta,le they had e!er #itnessed. DShall #e stroll ahead& +iss Peterson@D D hat #ould be lo!ely.D D$ou /ust sa!e /e .ro/ these idiots& E//a&D he said as soon as they had #al%ed out o. earshot. D hey are slightly Au!enile.D DSlightly@ : had ,harge o. boys on the Peninsula /u,h younger than these three. So/e #ere not .ully gro#n& yet they /ade ad/irable& bra!e soldiers.D D: i/agine #ar has a #ay o. /aturing a person.D D$es& you>re right about that.D Be loo%ed out o!er the la%e& re/e/bering #hen he had last #al%ed this path. Be had been a little younger than the three bu..oons by the ,ottage. Surely he had not been as inane as they@ Be ,losed his eyes .or a /o/ent& .lin,hing .ro/ his /e/ories. Perhaps he had been& and not so inno,ently stupid& either. Be>d been ai/less and angry #hen he>d ,o/e do#n .ro/ uni!ersity. Be>d needed to do so/ethingCand that so/ething o.ten enough had been drin%ing& ga/bling& and #horing. ?hen Ia/es>s #i.e& SarahCan A/eri,an and a .er!ent republi,anChad denigrated the British syste/ o. pri/ogeniture& Charles had argued that not all heirs #ere li%e Ia/es>s e!il ,ousin Ri,hard& ready to /urder to inherit. Be>d insisted he did not en!y his brother. Be had spo%en #ith ,o/plete sin,erity. Be had lied. Be helped E//a na!igate a tree root gro#ing a,ross the path. Be had ne!er ,o!eted the title& true& but he had en!ied Paul. Paul had ne!er been ai/less. "e!er. Be had al#ays %no#n his purpose. At t#enty& .a,ing the shallo# #orld o. the ton& Charles had ,ra!ed that ,ertainty. D:. : hadn>t .ollo#ed Ia/es into the ar/y& : don>t %no# #hat #ould ha!e be,o/e o. /e. : probably #ould ha!e ended up a dissipated ra%ehell.D D"onsense. :>/ ,ertain you #ould ha!e done #ell at #hate!er you tried.D Be loo%ed do#n at E//a. She had spo%en so /atter2o.2.a,tly& as i. there #as no 1uestion he #ould a,,o/plish any tas% he set hi/sel.. D$ou really belie!e that& don>t you@D

DO. ,ourse.D Ber ,lear& golden2bro#n eyes ,al/ly stared ba,% up at hi/ .ro/ behind her spe,ta,les. Be re/e/bered ho# she had loo%ed at hi/ #hen she #as a girl. hat had been hero #orshipCthis #as di..erent. his #as the ,on.iden,e o. a gro#n #o/an. She belie!ed in hi/. Ber trust #as built on air& o. ,ourseCon girlhood .antasies. She didn>t %no# hi/. She hadn>t seen hi/ .or t#enty years& sin,e he #as a boy. $et he #anted to belie!e she #as right. Be #anted her ,ertainty ne0t to hi/ al#ays. D+arry /e& E//a. Please.D 5id he sound too enthusiasti,@ She /ust thin% hi/ a lunati,. But it #ould be a sensible de,ision on her part. Be te/pered his !oi,e. DOur /arriage #ould sol!e so /any proble/s. ?e>d get rid o. these <ondon idiots. +y nie,es #ould get a /other and you>d get a ho/e o. your o#n. $our .ather ,ould /arry +rs. Eraha/ #ithout disturbing your pea,e.D Be grinned at her& leaning ,loser. DAnd :>d get the lo!ely opportunityC/any lo!ely opportunitiesCto produ,e an heir. ?hat do you say@D E//a>s stinging slap #as elo1uen,e itsel.. DPut the .ish on the pillo#& Claire. : thin% that #ill #or% best.D :sabelle stood in <ady Caroline>s roo/& Jueen Bess in her ar/s. Ber highness had been gra,ious about a,,o/panying the/ on,e :sabelle had .ed her a bit o. trout. She /eo#ed no# and s1uir/ed a bit. :sabelle adAusted her grasp. D:n a /inute& %itty. Claire>s /a%ing you a ni,e sna,%.D D+rro#GD D he pillo#& Claire. Put /ost o. it on the pillo#. hat>s #here the lady>s .a,e #ill be.D D: %no#.D Claire grinned. D?e #ant to /a%e sure the piggy lady>s .a,e s#ells.D DRightCbut don>t put too /u,h& either. :. she s/ells the .ish& she>ll be suspi,ious. She #on>t put her .a,e do#n in .ish s/ell.D DCoo% said this .ish is !ery .resh.D Claire put one /ore .ish .la%e on the pillo#& D here. 5one.D :sabelle deposited Jueen Bess. Ber highness pa,ed the ,o!erlet and then sat on the pillo#& daintily ,onsu/ing e!ery .ishy /orsel. She sear,hed .or /ore tidbits and& .inding none& li,%ed her pa#s& ya#ned& stret,hed& and hopped o.. the bed& slipping out o. the roo/. D: thin% that should do it&D :sabelle said. Claire s%ipped to the door. D: ,an>t #ait until the piggy lady gets ba,% .ro/ the la%e.D

D<et>s hope she lies do#n .or a nap be.ore dinner.D E//a #as so angry she ,ould barely see straight. She strode blindly do#n the path. She heard Charles ,all behind her& but she ignored hi/. hen she heard one o. the lo!ely young <ondon /isses tal%ing to hi/. Piggy <ady Caroline& she hoped. he bu..leheaded ,ods2head deser!ed to spend so/e ti/e #ith that harpy. She #ished she>d had another ,hina dog at hand. She #ould ha!e s/ashed it o!er <ord Arrogan,e>s head. +arry hi/ Aust to sol!e his proble/s@ o enable hi/ to get an heir and get rid o. his un#el,o/e .e/ale pursuers@ he o!er#eening ,o0,o/bG he /utton2 headed& Ainglebrained .ribbleG And ho# dare he bring up +rs. Eraha/@ +rs. Eraha/ #as not a proble/. Papa #ould ne!er /arry the #o/an. Be respe,ted his .a/ily too /u,h. She should be ho/e no#& ta%ing ,are o. hi/. But :sabelle and Claire needed her& too. She ,ouldn>t lea!e the/ to the ,allous& /ean& spite.ul& e!il <ondon girls. ?hat i. Charles /arried one o. those girls@ ?hat #ould happen to :sabelle and Claire@ She ,ouldn>t /arry Charles Aust to prote,t his nie,esC,ould she@ She stu/bled do#n the ban% to the grotto. She had al#ays lo!ed its 1uiet pea,e.ulness. She needed that serenity no# to ,olle,t her ,o/posure. 8n.ortunately& she #as not the only one #ho had sought the grotto>s solitude. She stopped at the entran,e and stared. +r. Sto,%ley stood ne0t to the statue o. Poseidon. Be #as beha!ing in the oddest /anner. 3irst he pulled on Poseidon>s trident. hen he tried to t#ist the statue>s ar/. Be %no,%ed on its ,hest and loo%ed in its /outh. Be e!en stu,% his hand into the s/all pool at its base and .elt around in the #ater. 3inally he stood& dried his hand on his bree,hes& and shrugged& /o!ing on to the stone #all. Be po%ed his .ingers into the ,hin%s bet#een the ro,%s. Ob!iously& he #ould pre.er to be alone. She turned to lea!e& but her .oot sent a loose pebble s%ittering a,ross the ground to boun,e o.. the #all. +r. Sto,%ley gasped and #hirled to .a,e her. DPardon /e& sir. : didn>t /ean to disturb you. : thought no one #ould be here. :>ll Aust be going.D D"o& please stay& +iss Peterson.D +r. Sto,%ley too% a deep breath and straightened his #aist,oat. D: #asn>t e0pe,ting . . . $ou surprised /e& that is all.D Be s/iled in the /ost o..ensi!e #ay. Bis !oi,e suddenly had an oily 1uality. DCo/e in.D Be #iggled his eyebro#s. DIoin /e.D 5id the /an thin% she had .ollo#ed hi/@ Clearly <ord Knightsdale #as not the only arrogant& /utton2headed /ale in the !i,inity.

D"o& no& really& :. . .D +r. Sto,%ley s#aggered ,loser. E//a had to s#allo# a giggle. Be re/inded her o. a rooster in a barnyard. $et there #as so/ething %no#ing about the /an as #ell. D: didn>t ,onsider . . . $ou>d not been en,ouraging . . .D +r. Sto,%ley ,roo%ed up the right ,orner o. his /outh. D $ou need a /an& don>t you@D D?hat@D DA /an. $ou ladies are all the sa/e. Pri/ and proper on the outside& but so needy on the inside. Espe,ially ladies su,h as yoursel..D D+ysel.@D E//a #as ,ertain she s1uea%ed. She too% a step ba,%& but +r. Sto,%ley stopped her by putting a hand on her ar/. D$oursel.. Bo# old are youCthirty@D D #enty2si0.D "ot that her age #as i/portant& but she didn>t #ant .our e0tra years added to her total. D #enty2si0. 3ir/ly on the shel.. "ot /u,h hope o. .inding relie. .or your urges in a /arriage bed. And you do ha!e urges& don>t you@D E//a hoped that she had not nodded. She #ould ne!er ad/it to so/ething as !ulgar as urges. $earnings& perhaps& but not urges. ?ell& /aybe so/e urges. E!er sin,e Charles had %issed herCespe,ially sin,e the interlude in the ,onser!atoryCshe had .elt hot and unsettled. She had de.initely had urges to open the door bet#een their roo/s. D+r. Sto,%ley& : ha!e no idea #hat you are tal%ing about.D DAllo# /e to e0plain& then.D +r. Sto,%ley e/ployed his /outh& but not .or spea%ing. Bis hands ,losed around her upper ar/s and pulled her against his body. Bis lips pressed hers. She #as ,urious. She ad/itted it. She had only e!er been %issed by Charles. ?as %issing an a,ti!ity that #as pleasant in and o. itsel.& or did its agreeableness depend on the s%ill o. the /an doing the %issing@ She ,ertainly had no urge to %iss the bu..leheaded +ar1uis o. :nsolen,e at the /o/ent. Perhaps +r. Sto,%ley #ould be a #el,o/e di!ersion& e!en an antidote to her annoying attra,tion to <ord Blo,%head. Be #as not.

+r. Sto,%ley s/elled o. onions and ,abbage and s#eat. Be gripped her ar/s too tightly and /ashed her lips against her teeth. She .elt none o. the #onder.ul& hot .eelings she had e0perien,ed #ith Charles. "o& she .elt bored. 8n,o/.ortable. A strong #ish to be so/e#here else. She pressed her lips together .ir/ly and hoped he #ould be .inished soon. DCo/e to /y bed,ha/ber tonight.D +r. Sto,%ley>s !oi,e had a pe,uliar thi,%ness to it. D:>ll point it out to you.D Bis hands began to #ander. E//a t#isted to a!oid his .ingers& but her /o!e/ents see/ed only to en,ourage hi/ to greater e..orts. She #as beginning to be,o/e alar/ed. DE//a@D +r. Sto,%ley>s hands dropped li%e ro,%s& and he leapt ba,%. DAre you in there& E//a@D D$es.D E//a had to ,lear her throat and ta%e a deep breath to gather the !olu/e to respond. D$es& <ord Knightsdale& :>/ here #ith +r. Sto,%ley.D Charles appeared at the opening to the grotto. Bis eyes see/ed to /easure the distan,e bet#een her and her ,o/panion. She s#allo#ed& and ,leared her throat on,e /ore. D?e #ere Aust %isCurn. er& %i,%ing loose stones a#ay so no one #ould stu/ble on the/.D She loo%ed do#n to suit a,tion to #ords& but the ground at her .eet #as ,lear o. e!en the tiniest pebble. D+r. Sto,%ley is !ery interested in bedCbuildings. Statuary and& and su,h. : #as urgingCu/& helping hi/& ah& loo% .or& u/& interesting& ah& statues.D She %ne# her .a,e #as as red as one o. <ady Beatri,e>s go#ns. Ber ,hee%s ,ertainly .elt hot enough to light the dar%est ,orner o. this shado#y lo,ation. Charles and +r. Sto,%ley stared at her. She s/iled. Charles turned to loo% at Poseidon. D: assu/e you noti,ed the s,ulpture in the /iddle o. the grotto@D D$es&D E//a said. D?e #ere loo%ing .or others.D Charles sur!eyed the s/all& ,lear spa,e. E//a .ollo#ed his ga-e o!er the ro,% #alls and stone .loor. D:n here@D D"o& u/& o. ,ourse not. : #as tal%ing generally. :n the .uture. Else#here.D DElse#here& yes.D +r. Sto,%ley bo#ed. D:. you>ll e0,use /e& /y lord@D

Charles nodded. +r. Sto,%ley /ade his es,ape. DE//a&D Charles said on,e they #ere alone& D#ould you ,are to e0plain #hat you Aust said@D E//a s/iled harder. D"o.D So/ething #as #rong. E//a loo%ed as ner!ous as an unbro%en horse. ?hat had she and Sto,%ley been doing in here@ Surely she ,ould not ha!e been %issing that t#iddlepoop@ Be stepped ,loser. She stepped ba,%. DAre you all right& E//a@D DO. ,ourse :>/ all right. ?hy #ouldn>t : be all right@D D: don>t %no#. $ou see/ ill at ease. 5id Sto,%ley do so/ething to o!erset you@D D"oGD She too% a deep breath& /a%ing her lo!ely breasts s#ell in an interesting .ashion. D"o. :ndeed not. +r. Sto,%ley did not o!erset /e in the slightest. : a/ per.e,tly .ine. ?hat odd notions you ha!e& /y lord.D DB//. Be didn>t try to %iss you& did he@D DKiss /e@GD Charles #ould s#ear E//a a,tually s1uea%ed. Be stepped ,loser. She stepped ba,% again& bringing hersel. up against the grotto #all. D: thin% you>!e run out o. roo/ to retreat& s#eetheart.D D"onsense. : a/ not retreating.D D"o@D Be leaned .or#ard& putting a hand on the #all on either side o. her head. D: a/ glad to hear that. ?e need to tal%& lo!e. ?hy did you slap /e@D Ber eyes dropped to study his ,ra!at. D: apologi-e. hat #as not #ell done o. /e.D D hat doesn>t ans#er /y 1uestion& E//a.D Be tilted her ,hin up #ith the edge o. his hand. D: didn>t /ean to o..end you.D D"o& o. ,ourse not.D She /et his ga-e& then dropped her eyes againChe>d s#ear she #as staring at his /outh. Ber little pin% tongue edged out to /oisten her lips. Ber !oi,e sounded a hair breathless. DShouldn>t #e be getting ba,% to the group@ :>/ sure <ady Caroline is #ondering #here you are.D

DEod& :>/ sure she is. :n .a,t& she /ight be hu..ing do#n the path right no#& hot on /y heels.D Charles ,ould not #aste su,h a lo!ely opportunity. As E//a pointed out& they ,ould be interrupted at any /o/ent. Be let his hand slip .ro/ her ,hin to her Aa#. Be /ight ha!e only se,onds o. pri!a,y. ?hy #aste it in ,on!ersation@ Be ,ould .ind out later #hy she had slapped hi/. Be s/iled. Be /ight get slapped again& but he #ould ta%e that ris%. Be ,ould not ha!e her so ,lose& so pri!ate& and not steal a %iss. Be bent to tou,h his lips to hers. She s/elled s#eet& ,lean& o. le/ons and la!ender. Ber s%in #as so so.tF the line o. her Aa#& so deli,ate. Be brushed his lips lightly o!er hers and she #hi/pered. Ber hands ,a/e up to lie on his ,hest. 3or an instant he #as a.raid she /eant to push hi/ a#ay& but then her .ingers slid up to his ne,% and tangled in his hair. Be brought her body up against his. he so.tness o. her breasts .lattened against his ,hest Be teased her lips #ith his& tra,ing their sea/ #ith his tongue. She opened her /outh and he slipped inside. She had a lo!ely& s/all /outh. ?ar/. ?et. Bis tongue s#ept o!er its roo.& .ollo#ed the length o. her tongue. She #as too inno,ent to %no# yet #hat to do& but he %ne#. Be #ould tea,h her. Be stro%ed into her& and she /ade a s/all& needy noise. Ber head .ell ba,% against his shoulderF her /outh opened #ider& gi!ing hi/ /ore roo/ to e0plore. She #as so . . . generous. Be had had his share o. #hores and #ido#s. hose had been pleasant enough en,ounters Clusty& satis.ying ,ouplingsCbut there had been little generosity in!ol!ed. 3riendship& so/eti/es. +utual need& o.ten. But generosity@ his inno,ent gi!ing& this trust he .elt in E//a@ "e!er. :t #as a/a-ingly eroti,. Be /o!ed his /outh to %iss her ne,%& Aust belo# her ear. Could he loosen the blasted ne,% o. her dress@ Possibly& but there #asn>t ti/e. :. anyone as%ed& Sto,%ley #ould be sure to tell hi/Cor herC #here to .ind the /ar1uis. Ah& not enough ti/e at all. Be heard the s,rape o. a .oot on the path outside. Be straightened. DE//a.D DB//@D DE//a& lo!e& #e are about to ha!e ,o/pany.D DCo/pany@D D$es.D Be %issed her hard on the lips. D?e ,an ,ontinue this !ery interesting. . . dis,ussion . . . later& but unless you #ant to s,andali-e #ho/e!er is about to enter this lo!ely grotto& you had better loo% less thoroughly %issed.D

Ber eyes .le# #ide and she straightened Aust as <ady Caroline>s distin,ti!e !oi,e ,alled his na/e.

E//a hoped she did not loo% as disordered as she .elt. <ady Caroline did gi!e her a hard stare but then turned her attention to Charles. D?e /issed you& /y lord.D D$ou .latter /e& <ady Caroline. : ,ould ha!e been out o. your sight only a .e# /inutes.D DE!ery /inute #ithout you is an eternity& /y lord.D E//a rolled her eyes. She didn>t #orry that <ady Caroline #ould ta%e note o. her rude beha!iorF the young lady>s attention ne!er le.t Charles. E//a had ,eased to e0ist as .ar as she #as ,on,erned. hat #as a good thing. She needed so/e /o/ents to get her e/otions under ,ontrol. ?ell& she had had her ,uriosity satis.ied. Kissing +r. Sto,%ley had been as en,hanting as e/ptying ,ha/ber pots& but %issing Charles . . . Oh& /y. She had been anything but bored #hen Charles>s /outh #as on hers. ?ell& her . . . interest had begun the /o/ent he entered the grotto. Iust seeing his .or/ sent her brain on holiday #ith her good sense. Be had tried to tal% to her& hadn>t he@ ?hy hadn>t she told hi/ e0a,tly #hat she thought o. his insulting /arriage proposalCi. one ,ould digni.y his suggestion #ith that ter/@ Su,h a rational approa,h #as beyond her. She had seen hi/& and her sto/a,h had begun to per.or/ odd gy/nasti, .eats. She ,ould thin% o. only one thing to do #ith her /outh& and it #asn>t tal%ing. A.ter +r. Sto,%ley le.t and Charles stepped ,loser& her breathing had be,o/e /ost errati,. And her heart had .luttered li%e a bird trying to es,ape a ,age. An odd li1uid #ar/thCno& she ,ould not e!en thin% o. that. ?hat #as the /atter #ith her@ She #as angry #ith the /anG Be had suggested /arriage .or his ,on!enien,e& not be,ause he lo!ed her. She #as Aust a handy .e/ale& one #ho #ould tie up the loose ends o. his li.e !ery neatly #ith little e..ort on his part. One he ,ould get #ith ,hild easily and lea!e sa.ely in the ,ountry. Eet #ith ,hild easilyChaG ?hen he>d had his body pressed against hers& he ,ould ha!e as%ed her to #al% ba,%#ard to <ondon and she #ould ha!e tried to a,,o//odate hi/. Be /ust ha!e little doubt that she>d a,1uies,e #ith nary a peep o. dissent to #hate!er pro,edure #as re1uired to produ,e ,hildren. Bad she no pride@

Apparently not. She loo%ed at hi/& standing #ith <ady Caroline and Poseidon& and .elt that odd li1uid heat pool lo# in her again. Bo# ,ould she #ant to slap hi/ silly one /o/ent and the ne0t& #rap her hands around hi/ as i. she>d ne!er let go@ She #as an idiotCa ,abbage2headed& ,or%brained idiot. DShall #e Aoin the others& <ady Caroline@D E//a>s eyes narro#ed. :. Charles ,ould be ,har/ing to that she2serpent& he ,ould be ,har/ing to anyone. E!en his old play/ate. :t /eant nothing. She /ust re/e/ber that. Be #as an a,,o/plished .lirtChe hadn>t learned to %iss in su,h an e0pert .ashion .ro/ studying boo%s or .ighting "apoleon. Be>d had years o. pra,ti,e. ?ell& he ,ould e0er,ise his a/atory s%ills on so/e other stupid girl. But not <ady Caroline. E//a ,ouldn>t let hi/ /arry that harpy. Poor :sabelle and Claire #ould pay the pri,e. And he ,ouldn>t /arry +iss Oldston .or the sa/e reason. +iss Pelha/@ 5oubt.ul. Ber /other #as a gorgonF it #as hard to i/agine the daughter ,ould be /u,h di..erent. And poor +iss 3ra/pton #as as spotty as her brother. Perhaps +iss Ba!er.ord #as a ,andidate. She #as prettily beha!ed. E//a ,ould thin% o. nothing obAe,tionable about herCe0,ept she #as too young& o. ,ourse. And perhaps a tou,h !apid. But she /ight gain ,hara,ter #ith age. D+iss Peterson@D Charles #as loo%ing at her e0pe,tantly& as i. he had as%ed the 1uestion at least on,e be.ore. E//a s/iled and put her hand on the ar/ he o..ered4 <ady Caroline #as hanging on his other side. D5on>t you /iss <ondon& <ord Knightsdale@D <ady Caroline as%ed. D he theatre& the parties& the balls@D She loo%ed o!er at E//a. DOh& :>/ sorryCha!e you been to <ondon& +iss Peterson@D E//a gritted her teeth. D"o& <ady Caroline& : ha!e not had that pleasure.D D"o@D <ady Caroline tried to loo% sy/patheti,& but her eyesCher hard little piggy eyesC ga!e her a#ay. hey glittered #ith /ali,e. D?hat a sha/e. But : i/agine ,ountry li.e has its bene.its& doesn>t it@ he slo# pa,e. he .a/iliar a,ti!ities. :t /ust be 1uite . . . ,o/.ortable .or& u/DCshe s/iled up at CharlesCD.or so/e people&D she .inished. 3or an old /aid su,h as :& E//a thought. <ady Caroline did not say the #ords& but they hung in the air.

Charles laughed. D: 1uite li%e the ,ountry& <ady Caroline. :>!e gro#n so/e#hat tired o. o#n.D Be s/iled at E//a. DBo#e!er& :>/ ,ertain you>d enAoy a !isit to <ondon& +iss Peterson. Perhaps it ,an be arranged soon.D <ady Caroline shot E//a a loo% that should ha!e %illed her& it #as so pointed. D: don>t %no# that a trip to o#n is in /y .uture& /y lord&D E//a said. D: #ould #ager that it is& +iss Peterson. :n .a,t& : #ould be #illing to lay odds on it.D DAre you ta%ing your nie,es up to <ondon& then& /y lord@D <ady Caroline bared her teeth at E//a in a .or/ation rese/bling a s/ile. DSo edu,ationalCthe /useu/s& the opera& the o#er. $ou>ll enAoy it& +iss Peterson. : i/agine it is paradise .or a go!erness su,h as yoursel..D Charles ,ho%ed. D$es.D Be loo%ed at E//aF his eyes #ere dan,ing #i,%edly. DSo edu,ational. : /ight e!en be able to help you& +iss Peterson. : ,ould tea,h a .e# lessons& : belie!e.D : bet you ,ould& E//a thought& but #hat lessons and to #ho/@ +any /ore li%e the one he had Aust deli!ered and she #ould be ,o/pelled to #ed hi/C though it #ould al/ost be #orth it to see the loo% on dear <ady Caroline>s .a,e #hen their engage/ent #as announ,ed. Bad she lost her /ind@ ?hate!er #as she thin%ing@ <ord Knightsdale #ould /ost de.initely not be tea,hing her any /ore lessons.

D: .ound the bonnet& :sabelle.D DEood. 5o you see +iss Peterson>s brush@D Claire loo%ed on E//a>s dressing table. D$es. :t>s not !ery .an,y.D D hat doesn>t /atter. She>ll need it tonight. Co/e on& let>s put it in 8n,le Charles>s roo/.D :sabelle led the #ay to the ,onne,ting door. She pushed it open and sa# Benderson& 8n,le Charles>s !alet& .olding ,ra!ats. She ba,%ed up 1ui,%ly and stepped on Claire>s toe. DO#GD Benderson loo%ed up. D+ay : help you& <ady :sabelle@D D8/.D :sabelle stepped into the roo/. D?e #ere Aust loo%ing .or 8n,le Charles.D

D?ere you no#@ And #hat /ight you be doing #ith +iss Peterson>s bonnet@D D:t>s not !ery pretty&D Claire said. She put it on her head. D5on>t you thin% it loo%s li%e a bu,%et@D Benderson>s .a,e t#isted as though he s/elled so/ething bad. D:t>s not /y pla,e to ,o//ent on +iss Peterson>s ,lothing.D DBut i. it #ere your pla,e& +r. Benderson@D :sabelle as%ed. D5o you thin% this bonnet is !ery stylish@D Benderson appeared to struggle #ith hi/sel.. Be sighed. D"o& : ,an>t say that bonnet is parti,ularly stylish.D D: thin% +iss Peterson #ould be better o.. #ithout it& don>t you@D D<ady :sabelle . . .D D?e Aust don>t #ant her to loo% bad ne0t to those <ondon ladies. +r. Benderson&D Claire said. D"o. : understand.D D hose <ondon ladies are /ean.D :sabelle s/iled and pushed Claire ba,% to#ard +iss Peterson>s roo/. D?ell& sin,e 8n,le Charles isn>t here& #e>ll Aust be going. Eood2bye& +r. Benderson.D She ,losed the door and sighed. D oo bad +r. Benderson #as in 8n,le Charles>s roo/.D Claire shrugged. D: put +a/a Peterson>s brush under the papers on Papa Charles>s bureau #hile you #ere tal%ing.D :sabelle grinned. DEood Aob& Claire.D Claire s%ipped to#ard the door to the hall& s#inging the bonnet by its strings. D: bet +iss Russell #ould li%e this .or the s,are,ro# in her garden.D

Chapter $
E//a sa# +rs. Eraha/ the /o/ent she returned .ro/ the la%e. he #o/an #as standing in the Knightsdale entry hall& laughing up at Papa. A hard %not .or/ed in her sto/a,h. So <ady Caroline #as not the only harpy .luttering about the Knightsdale estate. D han% you .or the outing& /y lord&D <ady Caroline said behind her. She turned to see the girl batting her eyelashes at Charles. he hoyden put one hand on her a/ple ,hest and the other on Charles>s ar/. D: a/ a tri.le .atigued .ro/ the e0ertion& : .ear. : belie!e : shall go up and ta%e a nap.D 5id she e0pe,t Charles to Aoin her@ DCo/e on& Caro.D +iss Oldston sounded al/ost as i/patient #ith <ady Caroline>s posturing as E//a #as. D: shall see you later& /y lord.D <ady Caroline brushed past E//a and .ollo#ed +iss Oldston up the stairs. E//a ,len,hed her hands. She #ished she had a .e# o. the burrs Chubs and the others had been .linging near the ,ottageCshe>d lo!e to see the/ arranged on <ady Caroline>s a/ple ba,%side. She too% a deep breath. She #as being e0tre/ely ,hildish. :t #as beneath her to .eel this #ay. She glan,ed at +rs. Eraha/ and her te/per soared again. he #o/an had the auda,ity to s/ile at her& as i. she shared her i/patien,e #ith stupid <ady Caroline. E//a shared nothing #ith +rs. Barriet Eraha/. "othing. E0,ept Papa. Be s/iled do#n at +rs. Eraha/& and E//a>s sto/a,h t#isted. "o. Be #as Aust being polite. Be #ould not bring that #o/an into the .a/ily. Be ,ouldn>t. DRe!erend Peterson& Aust the /an : #as loo%ing .or&D Charles said. DAnd +rs. Eraha/. ?el,o/e to Knights2dale. : hope you don>t /ind i. : borro# your es,ort .or a /o/ent@ : ha!e a s/all /atter to dis,uss #ith hi/.D DO. ,ourse not& /y lord.D +rs. Eraha/ s/iled at Charles. At least she didn>t bat her eyelashes at hi/.

DSplendid. <a/bert&D Charles said to the butler& #ho #as ho!ering in the ba,%ground& D#ill you sho# +rs. Eraha/ to the blue dra#ing roo/@D Be s/iled ba,% at +rs. Eraha/. D?e really #ill be only a .e# /o/ents& /a>a/.D DPlease ta%e your ti/e& /y lord. :>/ in no hurry.D +rs. Eraha/ loo%ed at E//a. E//a ground her teeth. D?ould you ,are to Aoin /e& E//a@D D"o.D E//a sa# Charles sti..en. Ber .ather .ro#ned. Perhaps she had been a bit abrupt. D"o& than% you. :>/ a tri.le .atigued.D ?as she using <ady Caroline>s e0,use@ <udG She ,ouldn>t sin% that lo#. D hat is& u/ . . .D D hat>s 1uite all right&D +rs. Eraha/ said. D: shall do .ine by /ysel..D D: belie!e <ady Beatri,e is in the dra#ing roo/ #ith a .e# o. the older ladies& /a>a/&D +r. <a/bert said. Charles .ro#ned. DA .e# o. the older ladies& <a/bert@ $ou don>t /ean the So,iety& do you@D D$es& /y lord.D +r. <a/bert ,leared his throat. D: too% the liberty o. se,uring the brandy& ho#e!er.D D?ell done.D E//a glan,ed at her .ather and sa# the reproa,h.ul loo% in his eyes. She struggled #ith her ,ons,ien,e. She #as Papa>s daughterCher ,ons,ien,e #on. D: suppose : ,an stay do#nstairs a .e# /inutes longer and %eep +rs. Eraha/ ,o/pany. :. you>ll e0,use /e& Papa@ +y lord@D E//a .o,used on her .ather>s grate.ul s/ile as she .ollo#ed +rs. Eraha/ to the blue dra#ing roo/. D+ay : o..er you so/e brandy& !i,ar@D Charles sho#ed Re!erend Peterson into his study. D5o : need it& /y lord@D Charles grinned. D: hope not.D D hen& than% you& : #ill ha!e a glass.D Charles handed E//a>s .ather the brandy and gestured .or hi/ to ta%e a seat. Charles stood by the .irepla,e. Sudden ner!es /ade sitting i/possible.

Be had not e0pe,ted to be ner!ous. he !i,ar sipped his drin%. Charles .elt his eyes studying hi/. D: a/ not going to 1ui- you on de,lensions or ,onAugations& <ord Knightsdale& nor as% you to translate Caesar.D Charles laughed. D"oCand a good thing& too. : don>t %no# that : #ould a,1uit /ysel. #ell.D D"onsense. $ou #ere an e0,ellent s,holarC#hen you #anted to be. : understand you did !ery #ell at uni!ersity.D Charles shrugged. Be did not /ean to be spea%ing o. <atin. Be /eant to be spea%ing o. E//a. DSir& the reason : as%ed to spea% #ith you . . . ?ell& : should li%e to . . .D Charles ,leared his throat and started again. D: #ould li%e your per/ission to . . .D D$es@ Iust say it& boy. :t ,an>t be that bad.D D: #ould li%e to /arry your daughter& sir.D Re!erend Peterson sat still& an arrested e0pression on his .a,e. DE//a@D DO. ,ourse& E//a. +eg is /u,h too young.D D?ell& she>s not really& but : agree& E//a #ould be a better ,hoi,e .or you. +eg is not interested in any /an as .ar as : ,an tell. E//a is& i. she #ill only let hersel. ad/it it.D DSo : ha!e your per/ission to pay /y addresses@D D:ndeed. hough it #ill be E//a>s ,hoi,e& o. ,ourse.D DO. ,ourse. And : a/ not ready to as% her yet.D DA.raid she>ll re.use@D Charles laughed. D?ell& to tell the truth& she has re.used& but #ith ti/e& : thin% : ,an bring her aboutD Re!erend Peterson nodded. DShe>s #orshiped you .or years& you %no#.D D?ell& yes& : did %no#Cthough :>ll tell you she>s not a,ting so #orship.ul at the /o/ent.D

Re!erend Peterson sighed. DE//a is not !ery happy at the /o/ent& <ord Knightsdale& and : .ear it is /y .ault.D D?hat do you /ean& sir@D :t #as the !i,ar>s turn to loo% un,o/.ortable. Be too% a large s#allo# o. brandy. D$ou %no# /y #i.e died #ithin a year o. +eg>s birth. :t #as a hard labor& and Catherine ne!er ,o/pletely re,o!ered. : #as de!astated& as #as E//a& o. ,ourse. She #as only nine years old& but she stepped into her /other>s shoes. oo% ,harge o. +eg and the household. : should ne!er ha!e let her& but it see/ed a good thing at the ti/e. :t ga!e her so/ething to do& a purpose& i. you #ill. And : . . .D he !i,ar ,losed his eyes& his /outh tightening as i. a spas/ o. pain had .lashed through hi/. DSir& you don>t need toCD Re!erend Peterson held up his hand. D"o& /y lord& : do.D Be sighed and put his glass on the table by his ,hair. Be ,lasped his hands& leaning .or#ard& his .orear/s on his %nees. D: had no interest in ta%ing another #i.e. E//a %ept things running s/oothly. : ,ould lose /ysel. in /y resear,h& /y an,ient Eree% and <atin te0ts. : #as happyC: thought. And : thought E//a and +eg #ere happy& too.D D:>/ ,ertain they #ere.D DPerhaps. But li.e goes on. hings ,hange. "ot !ery pro.ound& : %no#& but !ery true. Barriet /o!ed to the !illage a.ter her husband diedCshe inherited a s/all ,ottage hereC and #hen : sa# her a.ter ser!i,es .or the .irst ti/e . . . #ell& .eelings : thought long dead #ere resurre,ted. She !olunteered to help #ith the ,hur,hCnot to be .or#ard& you under2 stand& but be,ause she truly enAoys #or%ing #ith .lo#ers and altar ,loths and su,h. She had been !ery a,ti!e at her old ,hur,h& and she .ound the a,ti!ity ,o/.orting. ?e be,a/e .riendsCand then our .riendship deepened.D D: understand& sir. $ou needn>t go into details that you #ould rather not.D he !i,ar laughed& .lushing slightly. DOh& ne!er .ear& : #on>t.D Be shoo% his head. D?e ha!e %ept to the ,hur,h tea,hingsCbarely. And it is getting harder e!ery day. :>/ sure you understand.D Charles grinned. D: belie!e : do.D he !i,ar grinned ba,%. DSo you don>t thin% :>/ too old to . . . no& ne!er /ind. he point is& : #ant to /arry BarrietCand she #ants to /arry /e. But : %no# E//a does not li%e it. : .eel : #ould be betraying her.D

D?ell& : do ha!e to say she doesn>t o!erly ,are .or +rs. Eraha/.D he !i,ar snorted. D hat>s an understate/ent.D Be ran his hand through his graying hair. DBarriet and : ha!e dis,ussed it& and #e really don>t understand her rea,tion. Barriet is as ,ertain as she ,an be that she ne!er did anything to insult or hurt E//a. :n .a,t& they #ere .riendlyCuntil /y interest be,a/e apparent.D DBo# does +eg .eel about your /arriage@ 5oes she %no# that you #ant to #ed@D DOh& yes. +eg is !ery di..erent .ro/ E//aC#ell& +eg didn>t ha!e to ta%e on all the responsibilities that E//a did. : thin% +eg doesn>t /u,h ,are& as long as our /arriage #on>t a..e,t her ability to dig in the /ud. She>s a lot li%e /e in that regard& only /y passion is the ,lassi,sChers is plants.D Re!erend Peterson shi.ted in his ,hair. D:>!e o.ten thought . . . hat is& : thin% . . . ?ell . . .D E//a>s .ather raised his eyes to stare dire,tly into Charles>s. D"o#& don>t ta%e this the #rong #ay& young /an. : a/ not ad!o,ating you ta%e any liberties #ith /y daughter #hatsoe!er. But : ha!e begun to thin% that i. E//a had /ore o. an idea o. #hat lo!e bet#een a /an and a #o/an #as& she /ight understand /y .eelings. :. she had e0perien,ed an . . . attra,tion . . . .or a /an& perhaps she #ould understand ho# /arriage is /ore than . . . ?ell& /aybe she #ould understand so/ething about /arried lo!e. Bo# the lo!e Barriet and : ha!e .or ea,h other doesn>t threaten the lo!e : ha!e .or her and her sister. hat : a/ not betraying her /other or denigrating her e..orts all these years. hat she #ill al#ays ha!e a pla,e in /y heart as /y daughterCshe does not need to ,ontinue to run /y household.D Charles sat do#n a,ross .ro/ the !i,ar. DBas E//a ne!er had a beau& then@D D"o. : did not lie #hen : said she #orshiped you.D he !i,ar sighed. D<oo%ing ba,%& : should ha!e insisted she ha!e a Season. One o. /y sisters #ould gladly ha!e sponsored her. But E//a didn>t #ant to lea!e +egCand : didn>t #ant /y ,o/.ortable routine altered.D Bitterness ,rept into his !oi,e. D: a/ paying .or /y sel.ishness no#.D D"o#& sir& no sel.2re,ri/inations& please. : ,onsider you did /e a .a!or& little as #e both reali-ed it. : belie!e E//a and : #ill suit ad/irably.D Charles grinned. D: Aust ha!e to ,on!in,e her o. that.D here #as really no need .or her to be here& E//a thought as +r. <a/bert opened the door to the blue dra#ing roo/ and she .ollo#ed +rs. Eraha/ inside. She #ould ha!e reali-ed that as soon as +r. <a/bert had said the So,iety #as here& i. she had not let guilt ,loud her thin%ing. DBarrietGD +rs. Begley raised her tea,up as E//a and +rs. Eraha/ entered the roo/. DAnd +iss Peterson. Bo# lo!ely. <ady Beatri,e& ha!e you /et +rs. Eraha/@D

E//a sur!eyed the roo/ as +rs. Begley /ade the introdu,tions. +r. <a/bert said he had se,reted the brandy& but the ladies #ere loo%ing suspi,iously bright2eyed. he 3arthington t#ins sat together on the settee& giggling& #hile +iss Russell s/iled beati.i,ally at a !ase o. roses. DA pleasure to /eet you& +rs. Eraha/.D <ady Beatri,e #as attired in a Po/ona green and pu,e ense/ble #ith plu/es in alternating ,olors& gi!ing the un.ortunate i/pression o. a rotting plu/. D?ould you ladies ,are .or so/e tea@D D$es& than% you&D +rs. Eraha/ said. D ea #ould be !ery pleasant.D <ady Beatri,e poured and then rea,hed into her #or%bas%et. She pulled out a bottle o. brandy and grinned. DShall : add a dollop o. 3ren,h ,rea/@D +rs. Eraha/ laughed. DOh& no. : #ould be asleep be.ore : got to the botto/ o. the ,up.D E//a .ro#ned as she too% her tea& also #ithout brandy. D+r. <a/bert said he had put all that a#ay.D She bit her lip as soon as the #ords #ere out. :t #asn>t her pla,e to ,riti,i-e. <ady Beatri,e shrugged and put the bottle ba,% in her bas%et. D+r. <a/bert /ay be an e0,ellent butler& but he is no /at,h .or /e #hen it ,o/es to de!iousness.D DCo/e& +iss Peterson& don>t .ro#n so&D +rs. Begley said. D:t>s not as i. #e indulge e!ery day. ?hy& #e didn>t ta%e a drop in our tea yesterday& did #e& ladies@D D"ot a drop.D +iss Esther 3arthington shoo% her head slo#ly. DAnd #e>!e had barely a drop today.D +iss Ra,hel 3arthington sighed. +iss Russell s/iled at the roses. D$ou #orry too /u,h& +iss Peterson& i. : /ay say so.D +rs. Begley pointed her tea,up at E//a #hile the t#ins nodded. D$ou are only t#enty2si0& not si0ty2si0. $ou a,t li%e an old lady so/eti/es.D he t#ins stopped nodding abruptly and their bro#s snapped into identi,al .ro#ns. DSi0ty2si0 is not old.D +iss Esther ,li,%ed her ,up on the table. D?e are se!enty& and #e are not old& <a!inia.D D:ndeed not.D +iss Ra,hel #aggled her .inger. DEighty2si0& that /ay be old& but si0ty2si0 Cne!er.D +rs. Begley thre# up her hands& al/ost upsetting her tea,up. D+y point is& +iss Peterson& you are still single& /arriageable& attra,ti!e . . .D

?ith ea,h adAe,ti!e& the 3arthington t#ins appeared to pu.. up li%e angry #rens& .eathers ru..led. +rs. Begley thre# the/ a harried glan,e. D?hat : /ean is& you are still youngCtoo young to be ,onstantly #orried about propriety.D +rs. Eraha/ ,hu,%led. D: thought it #as the young girls #ho /ost had to #orry about propriety& <a!inia.D DAnd : a/ not young&D E//a said. his #as an e0,eedingly stupid ,on!ersation. D+y sister& +eg& is young.D D$our sister +eg is a !eritable in.ant. Children her age need to be ,haperoned. $ou& ho#e!er . . .D +rs. Begley paused& tapping her tea,up gently against her teeth. D$ou are a se,ond2day rosebud&D +iss Russell said. E!eryone stared as i. one o. the ,hairs had spo%en. +iss Russell blin%ed ba,% at the/. D?hate!er do you /ean& Blan,he@D +rs. Begley as%ed. D+iss PetersonCher petals ha!e un.urled Aust a little. Rela0ed. Opened up.D <ady Beatri,e snorted. D"ot li%ely.D D"o& : see #hat Blan,he is saying&D +iss Ra,hel said. DShe>s right.D +iss Esther nodded. D+eg is li%e a ne# bud& .resh& tight. . .D D. . . but E//a>s been out in the sun longer. Been blo#n about /ore.D DBad /ore bees !isitCD D+iss Esther& :>/ not ,ertain #here this /etaphor is going& but it is beginning to sound 1uite inappropriate.D +rs. Eraha/>s !oi,e had a distin,t edge. D hey are only saying E//a has enough e0perien,e to be interesting&D +rs. Begley said. D: 1uite agree.D E//a sat bolt upright. D: do not ha!e any e0perien,e.D D"ot o. an inti/ate nature& o. ,ourse. At least& : assu/e . . . @D D<a!iniaGD

D?ell& Barriet& she ,ertainly has /ore li.e e0perien,e than a se!enteen2year2old ,hit&D +rs. Begley said. E//a>s ears #ere still burning #ith the #ord Dinti/ate.D She snorted& trying to a,t as i. the ,on!ersation #ere not galloping a#ay .ro/ her. DOh& yes. "ine years /ore e0perien,e& to be e0a,t.D DAnd ea,h o. those years is i/portant& /iss. "ot all o. /arriage o,,urs in the bedroo/& you %no#. +en do allo# one to e/erge .ro/ the sheets to eat& read the papers& ,on!erse. :t is !astly /ore appealing to ha!e a #i.e #ith a .e# interesting thoughts %no,%ing around in her brain bo0Cor his brain bo0 in the ,ase o. one>s husband& o. ,ourse.D Sheets@ E//a .elt a light .lush tra!el up her ne,%. he i/age o. <ord Knightsdale s,antily attired in his bedsheets the night he>d ,o/e hunting ghosts in the nursery .lashed into her /ind. D$ou are . . . seasoned& +iss Peterson&D +rs. Begley said. D+u,h /ore attra,ti!e to a /an #ith a dis,ri/inating palate.D D+rs. Begley&D +rs. Eraha/ said& Dyou /a%e E//a sound li%e a bee.stea%.D D hat ,ould do #ith a little /ore seasoning& unless : /iss /y guess.D <ady Beatri,e added another splash o. brandy to her tea. D<a!inia is ,orre,t& +iss Peterson. $ou #orry too /u,h about propriety. $ou need to ta%e a .e# ris%sCha!e so/e .un. $ou are not a girl in her .irst SeasonCand yes& : %no# you>!e ne!er had a Season& but the ,on,ept holds. So,iety& at least here in the ,ountry& #ill gi!e you a little /ore .reedo/ than you see/ #illing to gi!e yoursel..D She held up her purloined brandy bottle. DA little de!iousness is all to the good& +iss Peterson. :t>s a dull #o/an #ho %no#s only propriety.D DAnd no /an #ants a dull #o/an&D <ady Begley said. DEspe,ially not /y nephe#.D E//a spe#ed a /outh.ul o. tea ba,% into her tea,up. D5id : /iss so/ething@D +rs. Eraha/ as%ed. D"o. here>s nothing to /iss. "othing at all. <ady Beatri,e has si/ply i/bibed too /u,h spirits. She is be.uddled. Be/used. Con.used.D E//a #as horri.ied. "o# all the ladies o. the So,iety %ne# <ady Beatri,e>s /atri/onial opinionCladies #ho had little sense o. de,oru/ and tongues that ran on #heels. D: a/ not ,on.used& /iss. Charles needs an heirF his nie,es need a /a/a. ?ho/ else is he to ,hoose@ : /ean& loo% at your ,o/petition. <ady Caroline . . .D +iss Esther oin%ed.

D+iss Oldston.D +iss Ra,hel neighed. <ady Beatri,e nodded. DAnd she loo%s re/ar%ably li%e a toad as #ell. Entire .a/ily does. hen there>s +iss 3ra/pton.D DSpotty.D +rs. Begley #rin%led her nose. D+iss Pelha/.D D"asty /other.D E!eryone stared at +iss Russell again. D?ell& it>s true. +iss Pelha/ has a !ery nasty /other. : #ouldn>t #ant her as a /other2in2 la#.D DE0a,tly.D <ady Beatri,e nodded& sending her plu/es bobbing. D hat lea!es only you.D DAnd +eg and <i--ie and +iss Ba!er.ord& as #ell as ,ountless ladies o. the ton not present at this house party.D <ady Beatri,e rolled her eyes. D+eg is only interested in #eeds& and <i--ie is only interested in the Earl o. ?estbroo%e. +iss Ba!er.ord is one o. +iss Russell>s ne# rosebudsCtoo young. : Aust ,annot see Charles o..ering .or her.D D+iss Ba!er.ord is not too young&D E//a said. DShe is se!enteen& the sa/e age as +eg and <i--ie. A per.e,tly a,,eptable age .or /arriage.D <ady Beatri,e snorted. D"ot .or Charles. Be #ould be so bored& he>d .all asleep be.ore he ,ouldCD D<ady Beatri,e& please.D +rs. Eraha/ s,o#led at Charles>s aunt. DE//a is a gently bred& un/arried lady.D <ady Beatri,e s,o#led ba,%. DAnd she>ll stay that #ay i. she doesn>t bestir hersel.. Charles is a plu/ #aiting to be pi,%ed. She ,an ha!e hi/ i. she #ants. She Aust needs to stret,h out her hand and plu,% hi/ o.. the ba,helor tree.D +rs. Begley grabbed the brandy bottle. DEa#d& <ady Bea& don>t go poeti, on us.D D?ell& it>s true. Part o. grabbing a husband is .inding one #ho is ripe. Charles is. he tide is sitting hea!y on his shoulders. So/eone #ill pi,% hi/ be.ore the year>s outC/ay as

#ell be +iss Peterson.D <ady Beatri,e leaned to#ard E//a. DEo on& girl. Eo har!est the /an be.ore so/e other ,hit beats you to hi/.D E//a stared ba,% at <ady Beatri,e. Bo# did one respond to su,h a state/ent@ hat she #anted so/ething /ore .ro/ /arriage@ But #hat& e0a,tly@ <o!e& o. ,ourse& but #hat o. the disturbing .eelings that .looded her #hene!er she thought o. Charles>s body hard against hers@ D?ell& : belie!e #e ha!e #andered in /atri/onial horti,ulture long enough&D +rs. Eraha/ said& s/iling. D his spe,ulation is groundless until E//a has re,ei!ed an o..er .ro/ <ord Knightsdale. And :>/ ,ertain she #ould pre.er to ,onsider the subAe,t in pri!ate& #ouldn>t you& dear@D E//a /ade so/e noise that +rs. Eraha/ /ust ha!e ta%en as agree/ent. he older #o/an dire,ted the ,on!ersation into /ore a,,eptable ,hannels. :t .lo#ed around E//a Cgossip o. lo,al .a/ilies& o. the <ondon house party guests. E//a #as grate.ulCthe .irst positi!e .eeling she>d had .or +rs. Eraha/ sin,e she reali-ed the #o/an #as /ore than Aust another parish lady to her .ather. She tried to thin% ,learly& but she ,ould not get the i/ages& the sensations& o. her en,ounter in the grotto #ith <ord Knightsdale out o. her /ind. Bis s/ell. Bis taste. he sil%y2roughness o. his tongue .illing her /outh. She .elt hot. +elting. At least so/ething #as de.initely da/p. She stared do#n at her tea,up. Perhaps disgusting +r. Sto,%ley #as ,orre,tCperhaps she did ha!e . . . urges. She thought o. the door bet#een her bed,ha/ber and <ord Knightsdale>s. he door that had no %ey. he door that #as al#ays unlo,%ed. She #a!ed her hand in .ront o. her .a,e in a !ain e..ort to ,ool her blood. DAre you all right& dear@D +rs. Eraha/ as%ed so.tly. E//a nodded. She hoped none o. the other ladies noted her .lushed ,hee%s. ?hat #ould they say i. they %ne# she had re,ei!ed an o..er o. sorts@ ?ell& doubtless <ady Beatri,e #ould ,onsider Charles>s #ords a .ull2.ledged /arriage proposal& but E//a did not. She #anted tal% o. lo!e& not ,on!enien,e. O. passion& not pra,ti,alities. ?as that too /u,h to as%@ Probably. Charles #as a /ar1uis& a.ter all. 3or hi/& /arriage #as a ne,essary duty. But i. she did hear #ords o. lo!eC#ould she /arry hi/ then@ Ridi,ulous. She #ould not ,onsider it. She #as ,ertain he #ould spea% o. lo!e #hen pigs .le#.

She did not e0pe,t to see por,ine .light in her li.eti/e. <udG E//a stu,% her head out o. her bed,ha/ber and listened. ?hat in the #orld #as that noise@ DAaahhhG +a/aG A,hooG Aaahhh.D <ady Caroline erupted .ro/ her roo/ and .le# do#n the hall& s,rea/ing and snee-ing. +ore people po%ed their heads into the ,orridor. E//a sa# +eg and #al%ed do#n to her sister>s roo/. D?hat>s going on& E//a@D hey #at,hed <ady Caroline pound on her /other>s door. D: ha!e no idea.D <ady 5unlee>s /aid .inally ans#ered the banging. D$es& />lady@ OhG Oh& /yGD he /aid thre# her apron o!er her .a,e and started #ailing. DOh& .or Eod>s sa%e& +ary.D <ady 5unlee>s sharp !oi,e ,ould be heard o!er the din. D?hat is all the ,ater#auling about@ Can>t a body ha!e a /o/ent>s pea,eCD <ady 5unlee appeared at her door. Ber /outh dropped open& her eyes #idened& and then she started s,ree,hing. <ady Beatri,e brushed past E//a& Jueen Bess .ollo#ing leisurely behind her. D<ady 5unlee& please& ,al/ yoursel..D DCal/ /ysel.@ Cal/ /ysel.G :>ll ,al/ /ysel.. <oo% at /y daughter.D E//a loo%ed along #ith all the other house2guests in the ,orridor. <ady Caroline>s eyes #ere s#ollen to narro# slitsF her .a,e #as ,o!ered #ith raised& red splot,hesF and her nose #as strea/ing. She sni..ed& snee-ed& and s,rat,hed. D: see.D <ady Beatri,e ,leared her throat. D:>/ sorry <ady Caroline is indisposed.D D:ndisposed@ $ou ,all this indisposed@ : ,all this a disaster.D D?ell& it ,ertainly is un.ortunate. Perhaps she #ould .eel better i. she lay do#n@D <ady Caroline s,rea/ed and hid her .a,e in her /other>s shoulder. D"o@D <ady Beatri,e ro,%ed ba,% on her heels. DPre,isely #hat is the proble/& <ady 5unlee@D

D hatGD <ady 5unlee pointed at Jueen Bess& #ho had de,ided to sit by <ady Beatri,e>s s%irts and ,lean her hind leg. D hat ,reature is the proble/.D D<ady 5unlee& do not point at /y ,at in su,h a .ashion.D <ady Beatri,e /o!ed to shield Jueen Bess. D: a/ sure she did not /ean to distress your daughter.D DBaG :>ll ha!e you %no# that <ady Caroline is !ery sensiti!e to ,ats.D D:t #as on /y pillo#& /a/a. : %no# it #as. : #as .ine #hen : lay do#n to rest.D <ady 5unlee straightened to her .ull height D?hat #as your ,at doing on /y daughter>s bed@D D: ha!e no idea. Jueen Bess is not partial to por%.D DPor%@D <ady 5unlee .ro#ned so hard her eyebro#s /et in a H abo!e her nose. D?hy are you tal%ing about por%@D DIust that Bess is a !ery intelligent ani/al. : #ould ha!e thought she>d ha!e ta%en one loo% at your daughter and deter/ined there ,ould be nothing o. interest in her roo/.D <ady 5unlee dre# a s,andali-ed breath. D<ady Beatri,e& are you ,o/paring /y daughter to a . . . a pig@D D$es.D <ady Caroline sobbed louder as the asse/bled onloo%ers tried unsu,,ess.ully to /u..le their laughter. DPlease ha!e /y husband and son .et,hed& and our ,arriage brought round&D <ady 5unlee said. D?e are lea!ing.D <ady Beatri,e s/iled. DBa!e a lo!ely trip.D

DPoor <ady Caroline.D +eg snorted. D$ou don>t /ean that.D E//a laughed. D"o& : don>t& but : .eel as though : should. She did loo% so /iserableC but all : ,ould thin% o. #as ho# her .a,e no# /at,hed her /anners. She>s a rather /iserable young lady.D

DShe surely is.D +eg turned to go ba,% into her roo/. D8h& +eg@D D$es@D E//a .idgeted #ith her s%irt. D: do #onder ho# Jueen Bess got into <ady Caroline>s roo/C: thought the girl #as rather ,are.ul to %eep her door ,losed.D +eg shrugged. DPerhaps she .orgot this ti/e.D She stepped .arther into her roo/. E//a re/ained on the threshold. DAre you ha!ing a good ti/e& +eg@ : hardly e!er see you.D +eg turned to .a,e E//a. DE//a& do you #ant to ,o/e in@D D?ell& yes& i. you>d li%e /e to. : do ha!e a .e# /inutes. :t #ould be ni,e to ,hat. : #as #ondering #hat you>!e been up to. $ou didn>t go #al%ing #ith the rest o. the young ladies this a.ternoon.D D: didn>t go #al%ing be,ause #al%ing sedately around the la%e is boring. : ha!e #al%ed around that la%e be.ore and in better ,o/pany.D DBetter ,o/pany@D D+y o#n. ?ithout the nasty& brainless <ondon /isses and their idioti, es,orts.D DBut you are supposed to be getting so/e so,ial polish& +eg.D D: don>t #ant that %ind o. so,ial polish. : %no# not to eat /y .ood #ith /y hands or tal% #ith /y /outh .ull. : don>t need to %no# ho# to ba,%stab and belittle.D DBut. . .D E//a loo%ed around +eg>s roo/ .or the .irst ti/e. She blin%ed. E!ery hori-ontal sur.a,e but the bed #as ,o!ered #ith !egetation. #igs and .lo#ers #ere arranged on sheets o. paper on the des%. Bits o. ,ro,%ery #ith green things lined the ledge by the #indo# seat. An assort/ent o. lea!es ,o!ered the dressing table. D+eg.D D5on>t start& E//a.D DBut #hat are you doing@D D?hat does it loo% li%e :>/ doing@ :>/ ,olle,ting spe,i/ens& o. ,ourse. : don>t get o!er to Knightsdale o.ten& you %no#. :>!e .ound a nu/ber o. interesting plants here.D E//a sur!eyed the /ess be.ore her but de,ided .or on,e that she did not #ant to argue #ith +eg. She #as not +eg>s /other.

Sudden tears pri,%ed her eyes. She batted the/ a#ay. D+eg& #hat do you thin% o. +rs. Eraha/@D +eg ga!e her a sharp loo%. D?hat do you /ean@D E//a #al%ed o!er to e0a/ine the greenery by the #indo# seat D5o you thin% Papa is going to /arry her@D DProbably.D D5oesn>t that bother you@ 5oesn>t it bother you that she>s ta%ing +a/a>s pla,e@D DE//a . . .D +eg ,lasped her hands behind her ba,% and sighed. D?ould you ,are to sit do#n@D D: ,an>t.D +eg loo%ed around the roo/. E!en the ,hairs #ere ,o!ered #ith t#igs or lea!es. DOh& yes. : see. Sorry. 8/& #e ,ould sit on the bed.D D"o& : don>t /ean that.D E//a loo%ed at +eg. D:>/ too agitated to sit.D DAh. ?ell& u/& the thing is& E//a& : really don>t re/e/ber +a/a. : #asn>t e!en one year old #hen she died. $ou>!e been all the /other :>!e %no#n.D DAnd you don>t /ind +rs. Eraha/ ta%ingDC E//a s#allo#ed /ore tearsCDta%ing /y pla,e@D DE//a.D +eg rubbed her .orehead. D: ha!en>t needed a /a/a .or years. $ou>re /y sister. $ou #ill al#ays be /y sister. :>/ sure you #ill still .eel 1uite .ree to tell /e #hat you thin% o. /y ,ondu,t& /y plans& /y .uture. : don>t .oresee /u,h ,hange in our relationship.D DReally@D DReally.D E//a sni..ed and sat do#n on +eg>s bed. +eg sat on the other side. DBut : do thin% +rs. Eraha/ #ill be good .or Papa&D +eg said. DBo#@ Bo# ,ould she be good .or Papa@D DBe li%es her& E//a. : thin% he lo!es her. Be s/iles /ore no#.D

DBe s/iled be.ore.D D$es& : %no#& but this is di..erent. Be Aust see/s . . . happier& as i. he is e0,ited by so/ething besides his /usty old boo%s and translations.D DBut he has us.D E//a plu,%ed at +eg>s ,ounterpane. D: thin% he>s reali-ing he #on>t ha!e us .ore!er. Be e0pe,ts us to /arry e!entually. hen he>ll be all alone.D D"o.D D$es& E//a. "ot that : intend to /arry soon& but : do thin% : /ight /arry so/e day. And you should ,onsider it& too. : %no# Papa doesn>t #ant you to sa,ri.i,e your li.e .or his. $ou ha!e already done enough.D D: a/ not sa,ri.i,ing /y li.e. ?hat a ridi,ulous notion.D D: %no# you don>t ,onsider it a sa,ri.i,e& but thin%Cdon>t you #ant a house o. your o#n@D D: ha!e the !i,arage to ta%e ,are o..D DBut #hat about ,hildren@ : #ould thin% you #ould #ant ,hildren o. your o#n.D DPerhaps.D E//a thought about +eg as a ,hildC and :sabelle and Claire. She did li%e ,hildren. :. she stayed ho/e and %ept house .or her .ather& she #ould not ha!e ,hildren to raise& that #as true. And i. her .ather /arried +rs. Eraha/& she #ould not ha!e a ho/e to run& either. She #ould be ,o/pletely super.luous. She #rapped her ar/s around her /iddle. DPapa #on>t /arry +rs. Eraha/ i. : don>t #ant hi/ to.D DPerhapsCbut you don>t #ant to rule his li.e li%e that& do you@ 8se his lo!e to ,ontrol hi/& to li/it hi/@ Be>s ne!er done that to us. Be>s al#ays let us .ollo# our hearts.D D?hat do you /ean@ ?here ha!e #e .ollo#ed our hearts@ ?e are still at ho/e& aren>t #e@D D hat>s /y point. Papa lets /e go o.. and /u,% around #ith /y #eeds and things. Be didn>t .or,e you to ha!e a SeasonCnor did he .or,e /e& e!en though it #ould ha!e been so easy .or hi/ to ha!e sent /e to <ondon #ith <i--ie this spring. Be ne!er insisted you /arryCand you are ,ertainly past the age #here /any .athers #ould ha!e done so.D

E//a loo%ed a#ay .ro/ +eg. D: ne!er had any o..ers.D DBe,ause you #ere ne!er interested in any o. the lo,al /en.D D?hat do you /ean@D E//a .ro#ned. D:>!e al#ays dan,ed at the asse/blies& ha!en>t :@ : ha!e been per.e,tly polite and pleasant.D D$es& polite and pleasant. "ot passionate.D D+egG ?hat do you %no# o. passion@D D"othing& really. But : ha!e eyes& E//a. : #at,h& and : a/ a,tually 1uite a s%illed obser!er.D +eg ,hu,%led. DPerhaps it ,o/es .ro/ noti,ing subtle di..eren,es in si/ilar plants. :n any e!ent& : ,an tell #hen there is ro/an,e in the air. ?hen a girl is interested in a /an& she spar%les. Ber eyes brighten& her s%in .lushes& she breathes 1ui,%ly. She be,o/es /ore ani/ated. $ou al#ays loo% the sa/e #hether you are tal%ing to an elderly ,haperone or an e0tre/ely eligible young lord.D DRidi,ulous. : a/ sure you are #rong. : belie!e Papa ne!er pushed either o. us to s#i/ in so,ial #aters be,ause he #as too absorbed in his boo%s to ,are.D +eg laughed. D?ell& there is that. Be does pre.er to a!oid a bother& and up until no#C until +rs. Eraha/ /o!ed to the !illageC: thin% he #as ,ontent to let things stay the #ay they #ere. But : don>t belie!e he is ,ontent any longer.D D"o@D E//a had not noti,ed any indi,ation that her .ather #as restless. ?ell& there had been that in,ident in the study #hen she had #al%ed in on hi/ and +rs. Eraha/. She /u,h pre.erred not to ,onte/plate that. DE//a& i. Papa truly lo!es +rs. Eraha/& he should /arry her.D D"onsense. Be doesn>t lo!e her. Be>s in.atuated& that is all. : suppose +rs. Eraha/ is attra,ti!e .or a #o/an her age. She %no#s ho# to enti,e a /an. : don>t .ault her& really. :>/ sure the li.e o. a #ido# ,an be 1uite pre,arious. : Aust #ish she #ould .ind another !i,ti/ to assure her a ,o/.ortable .uture.D DE//a& you don>t belie!e that& do you@D E//a shrugged. D: don>t %no# #hat : belie!e. : do %no# : ,an>t li!e in the sa/e house #ith that #o/an.D D: don>t thin% you #ill ha!e to.D D"o@D Relie. .looded E//a. She s/iled. D$ou thin% Papa #ill ,o/e to his senses@D D: don>t thin% it>s Papa #ho needs to see sense.D

E//a .ro#ned. D?hat do you /ean@D D: /ean : thin% you #on>t be li!ing at the !i,arage /u,h longer. : told you :>/ 1uite obser!antCthough in this ,ase& a blind /an ,ould read the signs. ?hen you tal% to <ord Knightsdale& you do not loo% as though you are spea%ing to an elderly ,haperone.D D?hat@D +eg grinned. D he /o/ent <ord Knightsdale approa,hes& your eyes brighten& your .a,e .lushes& and your boso/ hea!es.D E//a>s eyes #idened and her ,hin dropped to the bed,lothes. She stared at +eg. She ,ouldn>t /ean . . . Surely she #asn>t insinuating . . . @ She snapped her /outh ,losed and glared. D:>ll hea!e so/ething at you& you /iserable e0,use .or a sisterGD +eg .ell ba,% on the bed& laughing& as E//a grabbed the nearest pillo# and s#ung it at her head.

Chapter %
Charles stared at the pile o. papers on his des%. Be needed a se,retary. "o& he needed a #i.e. E//a. Be had been /a%ing so/e interesting progress #ith his ,ourtship in the grotto. :. only <ady Caroline had not ,o/e hunting hi/. here #as a s,rat,hing at the door. DCo/e.D +r. <a/bert appeared& bearing a large pile o. letters. D he post& /y lord.D DPut it do#n on the des%& <a/bert.D <a/bert blin%ed at the /ountains already o,,upying the des%>s sur.a,e. D?here& /y lord@D Charles sighed. DEood 1uestion. Iust hand it here& then.D DHery good& /y lord. And : presu/e you ha!e heard the ne#s that <ord 5unlee and his .a/ily ha!e departed@D DReally@ hat>s a bit sudden& isn>t it@ 5id he gi!e any reason@D D: belie!e it #as <ady 5unlee #ho insisted on lea!ing& /y lord.D D<ady 5unlee@ ?hy e!er #ould she #ish to go@ : #ould ha!e said she #as rather intent on the .esti!ities.D :ntent@ She had all the .o,us o. a 3ren,h o..i,er on a battle line. Be had de.initely thought she>d /eant to ta%e hi/ prisoner .or her piggy daughter. <a/bert ,leared his throat. DOne o. the upstairs /aids ,on.ided to +rs. <a/bert that <ady Beatri,e insulted <ady Caroline.D Charles raised his bro#s. DOdd. Aunt Bea doesn>t usually go about sa!aging young /isses.D D: belie!e <ady Caroline insulted Jueen Bess.D DJueen Bess@ ?hy #ould Aunt Bea get in a pother o!er British history@D D"ot the /onar,h& /y lord. he .eline Jueen Bess. Apparently <ady Caroline is sensiti!e to ,ats. <ady Beatri,e>s pet got into the young lady>s roo/& and she #as su..ering the ,onse1uen,esC<ady Caroline& that is& not Jueen Bess. Hery . . . spotty& +rs. <a/bert said.D

D: see. han% you .or in.or/ing /e& <a/bert.D So& Charles thought as <a/bert ,losed the door behind hi/& one less young lady to a!oid. oo bad Aunt hadn>t o..ended <ady Caroline earlier. :. she had le.t be.ore the la%e #al%& his interlude #ith E//a in the grotto /ight ha!e been signi.i,antly /ore satis.ying. Be /ight e!en no# be an engaged /an. Be needed to plan his ,a/paign ,are.ully. :. her response at the grotto #as any indi,ation& E//a #as not indi..erent to hi/& but she did ha!e so/e odd bee in her bonnet. She had ne!er e0plained #hy she had slapped hi/. Be had only as%ed her to /arry hi/. Be had not e!en %issed herCthat had ,o/e later& and she had sho#n no signs o. #anting to slap hi/ then. "o& no signs at all. Be shi.ted in his ,hair& thin%ing o. her so.tness and her heat& the #ay she had /elted& had opened to hi/. Eod. And it #as her .ault he had %issed her at all. She had been staring at his lips in a /ost hungry .ashion. :t #as only polite to gi!e her a taste. Be>d be happy to gi!e her /ore than a taste. Be #ould dearly lo!e to taste her& e!ery in,h& e!ery ,ur!e& e!ery se,ret spot. DBusy& Charles@D Charles shoo% hi/sel. .ree o. the s#eet lust that had heated his brain. D"ot really. Co/e in& Robbie.D Robbie sur!eyed his des% as he approa,hed. D<oo%s li%e you should be busy.D D: %no#. : thin% :>!e attended to the /ost pressing business.D Charles stared do#n at the /ess be.ore hi/. DBut :>/ not entirely ,ertain.D D$ou need a se,retary.D D: %no#& da/n it. : need a lot o. things sin,e /y brother died and : inherited the blasted title. : ,an>t a,,o/plish e!erything at on,e.D DRight.D Robbie helped hi/sel. to the brandy de,anter. DSounds li%e you need a drin%& too.D D han% you.D Charles too% a glass .ro/ hi/. D$our absen,e this a.ternoon didn>t help /atters. : #as stu,% a,ting nurse/aid to the young /isses and Ainglebrained boys Aunt Bea has ,olle,ted .or this bloody house party.D Robbie grinned& slou,hing into the ,hair ne0t to Charles>s des%. D?hy do you thin% : #as so 1ui,% to !olunteer to .et,h Al!ord>s sister@ : da/ned #ell didn>t #ant to be tra/ping around your lo!ely la%e #ith that ,olle,tion o. ,abbage2heads.D

D: thought /aybe you #anted so/e ti/e #ith lus,ious <i--ie.D D<i--ieClus,ious@D Robbie laughed. D<ittle <i--ie is li%e a sister& Charles. $ou %no# that. <o!ely& ,har/ing& but . . . lus,ious@ She>s barely out o. leading strings.D D"ot e0a,tly& Robbie. She>s se!enteen. She /ade her ,o/e out this Season. Al!ord ,ould be re,ei!ing o..ers .or her no#Che /ay already ha!e a hand.ul.D Robbie .ro#ned& then shrugged. D"o. <i--ie isn>t ready to get /arriedC:>/ ,ertain o. it. Ia/es #on>t .or,e her. :n .a,tC#hat #as that@D Charles heard the /u..led thud also. D: don>t %no#. :t doesn>t sound li%e it ,a/e .ro/ the ,orridor.D D"o& you>re right.D Robbie got up and po%ed his head out the study door. DBall>s deserted. 5id you loo% outside@D D:t didn>t sound li%e an outdoor thu/p&D Charles said& but he loo%ed out the #indo# any#ay. "othing. D:t sounded li%e so/ething hea!y dropping on #ood.D DPerhaps you>!e got !ery large rats in your #alls.D Charles .ro#ned at the orderly boo%,ase. D: sin,erely hope not.D

E//a sat ne0t to Sarah& the 5u,hess o. Al!ord& in the dra#ing roo/ a.ter dinner. She li%ed the tall& redheaded A/eri,an instin,ti!ely. She guessed she #as about her age& perhaps a year or t#o younger. D+y husband says you are a ,hildhood .riend& +iss Peterson.D D$es& your gra,e. ?ell& :>/ not ,ertain you ,ould ,all /e a .riend& e0a,tly. : #as /ore o. a pest& :>/ a.raid. <ord Knightsdale says the du%e and <ord ?estbroo%e ,alled /e >Shado#.>D he du,hess laughed. DAnd your sister and <i--ie are o. an age& are they not@ hey are .riends as #ell@D D$es.D E//a sear,hed the roo/ .or her sister. 3or on,e +eg had not .led early. She #as sitting #ith <i--ie& and they #ere laughing about so/ething. D here had been tal% o. +eg going up to <ondon #ith <i--ie .or the Season& but +eg is not /u,h interested in so,iety balls and parties.D D"o@D

D"o. She #ould /u,h rather be out in the .ields& loo%ing .or ne# sa/ples .or her plant ,olle,tion.D D: a/ glad to hear she has su,h a passion. Bo#e!er& : #ould not be surprised i. she e!entually be,o/es /ore interested in /en and /arriage. +ost girls do.D he du,hess laughed. D: taught at a s,hool .or young ladies in Philadelphia& so :>!e spent so/e ti/e obser!ing young .e/ales.D DAh.D E//a nodded& but she #as not ,ertain the du,hess #as ,orre,t. +eg had said this a.ternoon she thought she #ould /arry so/e dayCthat #as a start. And it #as true she did not ha!e an assort/ent o. attra,ti!e prospe,ts at this gathering. ChubsCnot that he #as a pri-eChad departed #ith his .a/ily. Spots and oad needed /any /ore years o. polishing be.ore they #ere ready .or /arried li.e. <ord ?estbroo%e #as a good ,at,h& but <i--ie had been in lo!e #ith hi/ .ore!erCnot that the earl sho#ed any a#areness o. her interest. She needed to get +eg to <ondon .or a Season& it #as as si/ple as that. ?ell& si/ple i. she /arried CharlesF not so si/ple i. they had to rely on Papa>s sisters. She #as not going to /arry <ord Knightsdale. DAnd ho# is the ne# <ord Knightsdale doing& +iss Peterson@D D?hat@D E//a stared at the du,hess. D?hat do you /ean@D DCharles. Bo# is he doing& do you %no#@ ?hen : spo%e to hi/ in <ondon& : got the i/pression he #as not eager to inherit the tide. O. ,ourse at that ti/e there #as no reason to suspe,t he #ouldChis brother #as young and healthy. :s Charles adAusting #ell to being the /ar1uis@D D$our gra,e. . .D Charles did not #ant to be the /ar1uis@ Be had ne!er said so& had he@ O. ,ourse he had ne!er e0pe,ted to inherit. hat /ust be #hy he #as so eager to #edC so he ,ould get the unpleasant business o!er #ith and get on #ith his li.e. D: really don>t %no#. <ord Knightsdale does not ,on.ide in /e.D DBe doesn>t@ : #as ,ertain Ia/es told /e . . .D he du,hess .ro#ned& then shoo% her head. D"o /atter. : /ust ha!e gotten ,on.used. : do apologi-e.D She blushed. D:>/ not entirely /ysel. these days.D E//a s/iled. D"o need to apologi-e& your gra,e. Bo# are you .eeling@D D3ine. : Aust tire easily& but : ha!e been assured that #ill pass shortly.D he du,hess s/iled. D: do assu/e you ha!e heard that : a/ in,reasing@D D$es. :>/ a.raid it>s no se,ret.D

D"ot /u,h is se,ret in the ton& is it@D he du,hess laughed. D"ot that : #ish to hide /y ,ondition. :>/ Aust used to li!ing a /ore pri!ate li.e. +arriage to a British du%e has ta%en so/e getting used to.D D$es& li.e here /ust be !ery di..erent.D E//a tried to i/agine lea!ing her .a/ily and .a/iliar surroundings to ,ross the Atlanti,. D5o you /iss your ,ountry dread.ully@D D"o.D he du,hess s/oothed her s%irts. DOh& o,,asionally : #ill get a little ho/esi,%& but : don>t really ha!e a ho/e in the 8nited States any longer. +y /other died #hen : #as a ,hildF /y .ather died last yearCit #as his death that ,aused /e to ,o/e to England.D She loo%ed up and s/iled at so/eone o!er E//a>s shoulder. E//a turned to see the 5u%e o. Al!ord leading the /en in .ro/ their a.ter2dinner port D"o&D E//a heard the du,hess say& D/y ho/e is in England no#.D he du%e>s eyes .ound his #i.e& and a #ide s/ile spread o!er his .a,e. :t #as ,lear he #as /adly in lo!e #ith her& E//a thought as she greeted hi/ and e0,used hersel. so he ,ould Aoin his du,hess on the settee. She /ade a point o. #at,hing hi/ during the e!ening. Bis e0pression #as pleasant but reser!ed #hen he spo%e to /ost people& but #hen he loo%ed at his #i.e& his .a,e so.tened and his eyes lit #ith a spe,ial .ire. She #ould lo!e to ha!e a /an loo% at her in su,h a #ay. ?ould Charles@ She snorted. +iss Russell paused in reporting on her gardening #oes to gi!e E//a a startled loo%. E//a s/iled and ,oughed as i. ,learing her throat. Charles Aust #anted a handy breeder and nurse/aid. She glan,ed at hi/. Be #as tal%ing #ith Sir ho/as and <ord Ba!er.ord. Be ,aught her eye and s/iled. She loo%ed do#n at her hands& hoping her heart #as not beating so .uriously e!eryone ,ould see it. She #ould li%e to ha!e ,hildren. +eg had been right about that. She #ould li%e a baby o. her o#nC #ith Charles>s ,lear blue eyes. She sa# +r. Sto,%ley loo%ing around the roo/ and she turned 1ui,%ly. Perhaps i. she retreated to the settee in the .ar ,orner& she ,ould a!oid his annoying attention. ?ould Charles be as happy& as proud and prote,ti!e o. her #hen she #as in,reasing as the du%e #as o. his du,hess@ "o. Be>d be in <ondon& on,e he #as ,ertain his seed had ta%en root. Be /ight not e!en bother to ,o/e to Knightsdale .or the birth. ?hy should he@ Better to stay in <ondon& drin%ing and #horing. She plu,%ed at her s%irt. She probably #ouldn>t see hi/ again until it #as ti/e to start #or% on the ne0t little 5rays/ith.

D+iss Peterson& are you all right@D D?hat@D E//a loo%ed up to .ind Charles .ro#ning do#n at her. D$es& o. ,ourse :>/ all right. ?hy do you as%@D D$ou #ere gro#ling again.D D: do not gro#l.D D"o@ B//. Perhaps it #as /oaning& then.D E//a .lushed. D:t #as /ost ,ertainly not /oaning.D D"o@ : should li%e to /a%e you /oan.D $ou ha!e. E//a slapped her hand o!er her /outh& but <ord Knightsdale>s e0pression had not ,hanged. She /ust ha!e only thought the #ords. D+ay : Aoin you@D D: don>t see ho# : ,an stop you.D Be ,hu,%led& seating hi/sel. rather ,loser to her than ne,essary. Bis leg brushed against her s%irt. Be didn>t a,tually tou,h her& but she s#ore she .elt the heat .ro/ his body all along her side. 8nless it #as the heat .ro/ her body she #as .eeling. ?hat i. he .elt it& too@ She tried to /o!e a#ay. D"o# don>t be /i..y& +iss Peterson.D D: a/ not /i..y.D She /ust ha!e spo%en too loudly& be,ause <ady Beatri,e loo%ed in their dire,tion and then headed to#ard the/. E//a #as relie!edC #ell& /ostly relie!ed Cthat she #ould not be ha!ing a tLte2M2tLte #ith <ord Knightsdale. DAre you annoying +iss Peterson& Charles@D <ady Beatri,e settled hersel. in a ,hair. DO. ,ourse not& AuntCa/ :& +iss Peterson@D D"o.D E//a supposed ,ausing one>s heart to pound by si/ple pro0i/ity ,ould not be ,onsidered annoying. 5isturbingCperhaps. 8nsettling@ Certainly. DSpea%ing o. annoying& Aunt& : belie!e you #in the pri-e in that ,ategory. <a/bert tells /e you insulted <ady Caroline to su,h a degree she and her .a/ily .led Knightsdale.D <ady Beatri,e shrugged. DShe insulted Jueen Bess .irst.D

DEood Eod& Aunt& you sound li%e Claire. Jueen Bess is a ,at.D DAnd <ady Caroline is a pig.D E//a /u..led a giggle. <ord Knightsdale turned to stare at her. D: ta%e it you agree #ith Aunt>s obser!ation@D D8/.D DO. ,ourse she does. Anyone #ith eyes #ould agree #ith /e. And she>s a nasty pig besides. ?e are #ell 1uit o. her.D <ady Beatri,e s/iled& raising her lorgnette to sur!ey the roo/. D: ,an thin% o. a .e# other idiots #hose absen,e #ould i/pro!e this house party.D Ber glass .o,used on Spots and oad& #ho #ere sniggering by the door to the garden. D?hat do you suppose those t#o are up to@D D"othing good& :>/ ,ertain. :>ll go .ind out& shall :@D D?ait a /o/ent. Perhaps it #ill pass.D <ady Beatri,e>s lorgnette stopped on +r. Sto,%ley ne0t. DB//& there>s so/ething .a/iliar about that /an.D DBe has been here sin,e yesterday /orning.D D: %no# that& Charles. "o& this bothered /e the /o/ent : sa# hi/. <i%e a #ord on the tip o. /y tongueC: Aust ,an>t 1uite retrie!e the thought. ?hat do you %no# o. hi/& +iss Peterson@D D"othing /u,h& <ady Beatri,e. Be>s renting +r. At#orthy>s houseC+r. At#orthy de,ided to stay in o#n.D D"o one stays in o#n a.ter the Season& +iss Peterson.D <ady Beatri,e .ro#ned. D+ost unusual.D D$ou stayed& didn>t you& <ady Beatri,e@D DOh& no. Beastly in <ondon in the su//er. 5ull as dit,h2#ater& too.D DBut : thought you ,a/e do#n .ro/ <ondon .or the house party@D D: ,a/e through <ondon.D Charles s/iled. D: stayed in <ondon& +iss Peterson& straightening out /y brother>s a..airs. : a/ not so opposed to a ton less o#n as Aunt.D DAnd #ho is +r. At#orthy@D <ady Beatri,e #as s,o#ling no#. D: don>t re,ogni-e that na/e.D

DAunt Bea& you>d best /o!e your eyesCyou>ll set poor Sto,%ley abla-e #ith the heat o. your ga-e .o,used through that /agni.ying lens.D D hat /ight be a good thing&D <ady Beatri,e said& but she put her lorgnette do#n. D+r. At#orthy is relati!ely ne# to the neighborhood as #ell&D E//a said. D: thin% he #on the house in a ,ard ga/e .ro/ the Bannister heir shortly a.ter old +r. Bannister died.D DAh& Bannister. Bi/& : re/e/ber. $ou /ust& too& Charles. ?eren>t you o. an age #ith the heir@D D: belie!e Bannister #as Paul>s age.D DB//. So #here does Sto,%ley get his /oney@D D:>/ not ,ertain&D E//a said. D: ha!en>t interrogated the /an.D <ady Beatri,e raised an in,redulous eyebro#. DSurely you as%ed a .e# polite 1uestions@D E//a shrugged. D: belie!e he said his .a/ily #as in shipping.D DShipping.D <ady Beatri,e said the #ord as though it #ere a ,urse. DPerhaps /y .ather %no#s /ore.D D: hope so& i. he let the .ello# run ta/e at the !i,arage.D D<ady Beatri,e& +r. Sto,%ley did notCD <ord Knightsdale>s hand ,a/e do#n on her %nee. he sho,% o. his tou,h stopped E//a /id2senten,e. D$ou>re getting so/e#hat agitated& +iss Peterson. $ou /ight #ish to lo#er your !oi,e.D Bo# dare the /an tell her ho# to beha!e@ Be ,hu,%led. DAnd& no& don>t blast /e. <et that breath out slo#ly. :>ll be delighted to let you .lay /e #ith your tongue later.D Be dropped his !oi,e so only she ,ould hear. D3lay or . . . other things.D D<ord KnightsdaleGD E//a didn>t %no# #hat he /eant& but she %ne# that #hate!er it #as& it #as not polite. DSto,%ley . . . Sto,%ley . . . :t #ill ,o/e to /e e!entually.D

D:>/ sure it #ill& Aunt. Bo#e!er& : belie!e : /ust go ,hat #ith +r. 3ra/pton and +r. Oldston be.ore #hate!er /is,hie. they are planning ,o/es to .ruition. :. you>ll e0,use /e@D <ord Knightsdale rea,hed the garden door Aust in ti/e to ,apture the piglet +r. 3ra/pton had intended to introdu,e into the dra#ing roo/. DCan you belie!e there are su,h idiots in the #orld& Benderson@ ?hat #ere they thin%ing& to loose a pig in the house@D D:t has been /y e0perien,e& /y lord& that young /en the age o. +r. 3ra/pton and +r. Oldston o.ten don>t thin% at all.D D: #asn>t that stupid& #as :@D Benderson ,oughed into his hand and turned to hang up Charles>s ,oat. D: belie!e you /ay ha!e done one or t#o things that #eren>t terribly #ell2,onsidered& /y lord. "ot dealing #ith li!esto,%& ho#e!er.D DB//. Perhaps. ButCD Charles heard a s,rat,hing on the door ,onne,ting his roo/ and E//a>s. Blood rushed to a !ariety o. bodily lo,ations& not pri/arily his head. Be s#allo#ed and tried to ,lear his thoughts. D' belie!e that #ill be all .or tonight& Bender2 son. : ,an /anage .ro/ here.D Benderson ,leared his throat. D:>/ sure you ,an& /y lord. Please do not do anything stupid.D DRight. : shall try not to. han% you. Eood night.D Charles #al%ed to#ard the ,onne,ting door& /a%ing a shooing /otion #ith his hand to#ard Benderson. Be paused be.ore he opened the door. DEood night& +r. Benderson&D he /outhed. Benderson shrugged& bo#ed& and departed. D?ell& E//a.D Charles had /eant to say /ore& but the sight o. +iss E//a Peterson in her nightdress #ith her ,urly& dar%2blond hair .rothing o!er her shoulders too% his breath a#ayCas #ell as /ost o. his rational thought pro,esses. Add the s/all detail that she #as standing bet#een their bedroo/s& and it be,a/e !ery hard to .o,us on anything besides the part o. hi/ that #as !ery hardCand #hat he #ould /ost li%e to do on either or both o. the lo!ely so.t beds at their disposal. D?hat& ah& see/s to be the proble/@D

E//a raised her ar/s to push ba,% her hair& /a%ing her nightgo#n pull against her breasts. Charles ,losed his eyes and prayed .or sel.2restraint. And that he #asn>t drooling. Be rubbed his hand o!er his .a,e and s#allo#ed. D+y bonnet is gone& /y lord& as #ell as /y hairbrush. :>!e loo%ed e!ery#here and : ,annot .ind either.D Ber !oi,e #as retreating. Be opened his eyes to see her #al%ing to#ard the .ire. Eod& grant hi/ strength. Ber lo!ely& #orn& thin nightdress barely obs,ured her lush .or/. he .ire behind her outlined her #onder.ul breasts #ith their dar% nipples. Ber slender #aist& all the /ore re/ar%able& pla,ed as it #as bet#een su,h .ull breasts and hips. Ber hips& her thighs& the lo!ely& dar% shado# ,o!ering. . . A gentle/an #ould ta,t.ully hand the lady her #rapper. Eentle/en led e0,eedingly dull li!es. D?hat is the /atter #ith you@D she #hispered sharply. Ber hands #ent to her hips& stret,hing the .abri, tighter& gi!ing hi/ an e!en better !ie# o. her glorious body. D$ou are standing there li%e a %no,% in the ,radle.D DPardon /e.D Charles a!erted his eyes .ro/ her .or/Cand e0a/ined the bed instead. Bad ,hoi,e. Be studied the .loor& pausing to as,ertain that he #as not ad!ertising his attra,tion too blatantly. han% Eod he had put on his dressing go#n. Any physi,al e!iden,e o. his ad/iration #as hidden by its generous .olds. D+y /ind has been #anting Cu/& #andering. +y apologies. ?hat is the proble/@D D+y bonnetCso/eone has stolen /y bonnetD E//a stood in .ront o. her open #ardrobe and pointed. DAre you sure@D Bappy to ha!e so/ething to do besides lust a.ter E//a& Charles /o!ed to e0a/ine the #ardrobe. DBere it is&D he said& holding up the bonnet she had #orn around the la%e. D"ot that one. he other one.D D he other one@D D he one : #ore on our .ishing trip.D Charles blin%ed. D+iss Peterson& no sel.2respe,ting thie. #ould steal your .ishing bonnet.D

D?ell& it>s not here.D DPerhaps the /aid /ista%enly thought you had dis,arded it.D D?hy e!er #ould she thin% that@D DBe,ause you should ha!e dis,arded it. : belie!e the /ost destitute drab in the ste#s o. <ondon #ould be e/barrassed to o#n that an,ient pie,e o. headgear.D D?ell& o. all theCD D+iss Peterson& did you really thin% that bonnet #as attra,ti!e@D E//a .lushed. Charles ,ould see her struggling bet#een honesty and the honest desire to put hi/ in his pla,e. D"o&D she said .inally& Dbut that doesn>t /ean : li%e the idea o. so/eone ta%ing /y things.D D?ell& yes& : ,an see that #ould be distressing.D Charles tried to thin%. Be ,ould s/ell her no#C a heady /i0 o. la!ender and le/on and #o/an. D5id you say there #as so/ething else /issing@D D+y hairbrush.D Be .ro#ned. D?as it !aluable@D D?ell& no.D DCould you ha!e /ispla,ed it@D D?here@D E//a gestured at her dressing table. :t #as ,o/pletely bareCno ,han,e o. the brush going /issing on that ,lean sur.a,e. DCould it ha!e .allen on the .loor@D Charles %nelt to loo% under the dressing table. E//a leaned ,lose to peer o!er his shoulder. At least that is #hat he assu/ed she #as doing. Be .elt her nightgo#n brush against his ar/ and he turned his head. Oh . . . Eod. Be #as staring dire,tly at the lo!ely& beauti.ul& #onder.ul& unbelie!able ape0 o. her legs. Only a thin bit o. .abri, ,a/e bet#een hi/ and the dar%& ,urly hair he ,ould Aust /a%e out spreading o!er her . . .

Be s#allo#ed. Be tried to re/e/ber to breatheC and inhaled the /us%y s,ent o. her se,ret pla,e. :. he Aust rea,hed out no#& he ,ould ,lasp her so.t& round botto/ and bring her to his /outh. Be ,ould bury his .a,e in her& then bury another part o. hi/ there& too. D: don>t see it& do you@D +iss Peterson as%ed. D?haCD Charles sprang out o. his ,rou,h and sla//ed his head against the botto/ o. the dressing table. Be sa# starsCand then E//a bent o!er hi/ and he sa# breasts. D?here did you hit your poor head@ <et /e see the ba,% o. it.D She pulled hi/ to#ard her. :. he pretended to lose his balan,e right no#& he #ould .all .a,e .irst bet#een the so.t& round globes s#aying tantali-ingly ,lose to his /outh. Be ,ould see her lo!ely& dar% nipples rubbing against her nightgo#n. Be %ne# they #ould taste s#eet& though not as s#eet as . . . D:>/ .ine&D he ,roa%ed& struggling out o. her hold. Be /ade ,ertain his dressing go#n #as .ir/ly ,losed be.ore he atte/pted to stand. 3ran%ly& he #as surprised that its generous ,ut #as able to ,o!er his tre/endous attra,tion. DAre you sure@ $ou loo% a little . . . odd.D D"o& no.D Be ,leared his throat. D:>/ .ine. ruly. BardCbarely a bu/p& see@D Be tou,hed the top o. his head and #in,ed. DSee& you are hurt.D She stret,hed to tou,h his head againCthat #as not the part o. hi/ a,hing the /ost. Be s#ayed his hips ba,% so as not to i/pale her on his need. A step or t#o ba,%#ard& a ,are.ul stu/ble& and he #ould land on his ba,% on her bed #ith her lo!ely #eight on top o. hi/. DSee& you are in so /u,h pain& you are beginning to perspire.D Be gripped her shoulders and turned her& pushing her ahead o. hi/ to#ard his roo/. Be had to get a#ay .ro/ her bed be.ore he ra!aged her li%e the rutting ani/al he #as. D: a/ .ine. +iss Peterson. Si/ply splendid. Couldn>t be better.D D?hat are you doing@D D$ou need to brush your hair. : a/ sure : /ust ha!e a brush you ,an borro#. :n .a,t& : #ill e!en tend to your hair .or you.D :t /ight %ill hi/& but ha!ing his hands in her hairCthe hair on her headC#as a /u,h saner idea than any o. the others he #as ,urrently entertaining.

<ord Knightsdale #as beha!ing /ost pe,uliarly. ?hy #as he pushing her to#ard his roo/@ 5id he ha!e dishonorable intentions@ She should put her .oot do#nCdig her heels in& literally. She ,ould not 1uite bring hersel. to do so. She really #asn>t a.raid o. hi/. And she #as ,urious. She #anted to learn #hat his roo/ loo%ed li%eCnot that it had been his roo/ !ery long. But still& she #anted to see the pla,e #here he #as /ost pri!ate. And i. she learned one or t#o other things& #ell& she #as strangely eager to do so. Perhaps +rs. Begley and <ady Beatri,e #ere rightCshe #orried too /u,h about propriety. She needed to ta%e a .e# ris%s. She paused on the threshold. he dar%& hea!y .urniture and the blue and gold ,urtains /ust be his .ather>s or his brother>s ,hoi,es. Still& there #ere /any /as,uline tou,hes that ,ould only be Charles>sC the ,ra!at pins ,arelessly tossed on the dresser& the ,lutter o. papers on his bureau& theC D<oo%GD E//a rea,hed under the papers and pulled out her brush. DBo# did this get here@D D: don>t %no#.D Charles too% the brush .ro/ her and e0a/ined it. DPardon /e .or saying so& but it doesn>t loo% li%e this #ould te/pt a thie..D D"o& but ho# did it get in your roo/@ Could so/eone ha!e been loo%ing through your papers@D DAnd brushing her hair at the sa/e ti/e@ 5oubt.ul.D Charles shu..led through the things on his bureau. D<oo%s li%e e!erything is in order.D D:n order@D Be ,hu,%led. D: stand ,orre,ted. :t loo%s as though e!erything is here.D DEood. hen :>ll Aust ta%e /y brush and go ba,% to /y roo/.D Charles held the brush out o. her rea,h. D: don>t thin% so. : ha!e o..ered to play your /aid& and : a/ deter/ined to do so.D E//a>s heart started to thu/p in a /ost unsettling .ashion. D hat>s ridi,ulous. : ,an brush /y hair /ysel..D D:>/ sure you ,an.D Charles sat her at his dressing table and ran his hands through her hair. DBo#e!er& : #ill brush it tonight. :t is the pri,e you pay .or disturbing /y e!ening in the hunt .or your /issing possessions.D D: didn>t /ean to trouble youCD

Charles laughed. DOh& +iss Peterson& i. you only %ne#.D Be started the brush /o!ing through her hair. She ,losed her eyes the better to .eel the long s#eep o. his stro%es. Be had Aust the right /i0 o. gentleness and .ir/ness. he bristles /assaged her s,alp and pulled through her hair& separating& but not pulling it. Bis broad hands s/oothed it o.. her .orehead& o.. her ear& her ne,%. D$ou>!e done this be.ore.D DPerhaps.D D$ou don>t ha!e a sister or a #i.e.D D$ou as% too /any 1uestions.D So he had brushed the hair o. his ladylo!es. he thought too% a little o. the enAoy/ent .ro/ the e0perien,e. D5on>t .ro#n& s#eetheart.D She .elt his lips on her .orehead& and her eyes .le# open. Be s/iled. D rust /e& : ha!en>t done this 1uite this #ay be.ore.D Bis !oi,e #as oddly hus%y. D+//. "o& not this #ay at all.D Bis lips gra-ed her te/ple and tra!eled to her ,hee%. She /ade a s/all sound and instin,ti!ely tilted her head. Be ,hu,%led and /o!ed to nibble on a sensiti!e spot Aust belo# her ear. She inhaled sharply. Ber breasts .elt so odd. Could her nipples a,tually be doing #hate!er it #as they #ere doing@ hey .elt li%e they #ere . . . pointing. She #as a.raid to loo% in the /irror. And there #as a de.inite da/pness bet#een her legs. D+y lord . . .D DShh& E//a. 5on>t be a.raid. ?e are only playing. : pro/ise to %eep /y lips abo!e your shoulders and /y hands abo!e your #aist& all right@D D8h . . .D All thought le.t her head as Charles>s hands .ound her breasts. DOhGD D+//. <o!ely. $our breasts are so beauti.ul& s#eetheart. Per.e,t.D DButCD DShh. 5on>t #orry. Rela0. 5oesn>t this .eel good@D

E//a ,ertainly ,ould not deny it .elt good. Sin.ully good. Charles had his hands on her breasts and #as /assaging the/. Be ,upped the/ .ro/ belo#& li.ting their #eight. Bis .ingers stro%ed their sides. She let her head .all ba,% against his ,hest. She ar,hed her ba,%& thrusting her breasts higher. D hat>s it& s#eetheart. Eod& you .eel so good.D Bis lips tra,ed her Aa#. DOpen your eyes& lo!e. <oo% in the /irror.D D"o . . .D But she did. ?hat she sa# #as sho,%ing. Ber /outh open& her .a,e .lushed. Bis .a,e against hers& the dar% stubble o. his beard& the brilliant blue o. his eyes& hea!y no# #ith . . . desire@ ?as that #hat the odd light #as@ And his hands& his .ingers& dar% against her #hite nightgo#n. One .inger tou,hed her nipple and she shuddered. DE//a.D Be pulled her up into his ar/s& .lattening her breasts against the hard #all o. his ,hest Bis hands /o!ed up to ,up her Aa#& and he opened her lips #ith his& his tongue surging in to .ill her. She had to grab his shoulders or .all. Ber body sagged against his. Bis hands slid do#n her ba,% but stopped at her #aist. Bis /outh tra!eled do#n her ne,% but stopped at her ,ollarbone. She #anted his hands on her botto/& his /outh on her breasts. Bad she lost her /ind@ She sho!ed against his shoulders and he loosened his hold. D?hat are you doing to /e@D +y Eod& she #as panting. So #as Charles. D?hat are you doing to /e@D D$ou tell /e&D she said. D$ou>re the one #ho has been this #ay be.ore.D Be laughed. D"ot e0a,tly.D Be too% a deep breath and grinned. D?e are sedu,ing ea,h other& s#eetheart. : #ould lo!e to pi,% you up right no# and ,arry you o!er to that delight.ul bed behind /e to ,ontinue our e0plorations. ?ould you li%e to do that& too@D D"o.D D<iar.D Be %issed her on,e /ore 1ui,%ly and turned her to#ard her roo/. DBut you are probably right. $ou should go ba,% to your o#n bedCalone.D E//a al/ost ran to the door. D5o you not trust /e& s#eetheart@ Or is it yoursel. you doubt@D

DEood night&D she said& pulling the door ,losed behind her& shutting o.. Charles>s so.t laughter. DSleep #ell&D he #hispered through the #ood. E//a tou,hed the door so.tly& then #al%ed resolutely to her large e/pty bed. She #as ,ertain she #ould not sleep a #in%.

Chapter 1&
Charles stared up at the bed ,anopy and sighed. :t #as al/ost da#n. Be #ould go .or a s#i/. Bell& i. he>d ta%en hi/sel. o.. to the la%e last night a.ter E//a had ,losed the ,onne,ting door& he /ight ha!e ,ooled his blood enough to ha!e gotten so/e sleep. As it #as& he had tossed and turned all night. Bis body Aust ,ould not rela0. Be too% his pillo# and put it o!er his least rela0ed body part. ?ell& he /ust ha!e slept a little be,ause he>d had so/e splendid drea/s. Could there be anything /ore e01uisite than the .eel o. E//a>s large& so.t breasts in his hands& their lo!ely #eight resting in his pal/s@ +//. Perhaps the taste o. her nipples. She had shi!ered so ni,ely #hen he had tou,hed her thereC#ould she s,rea/ #hen he su,%led her@ Be ,losed his eyes& s/iling. Be>d gi!e anything to ,radle those breasts again and to put his .a,e bet#een the/. o run his hands o!er her #ell2turned an%les& up her shapely legs& her /il%y thighs to the lo!ely dar% that,h that had te/pted hi/ last night. o %iss her there . . . Be sho!ed the pillo# do#n. :t #as /ost de.initely ti/e .or a trip to the la%e. Be s#ung his legs out o. bed and grabbed his bree,hes. Be yan%ed the/ on& buttoned the/ se,urely& and pulled a shirt o!er his head. :. only he #ere not a gentle/an& he ,ould ha!e had E//a in his bed last night. :t #ould ha!e been so easy. A .e# /ore %isses. A .e# /ore tou,hes. :. he had let his handsCand his /outhC#ander lo#er. . . . Be ,losed his eyes& i/agining her sil%y #etness& her s#eet taste. Be ,ould ha!e brought her .ul.ill/ent #ithout ta%ing her !irginity. :t #ould ha!e been his pleasure. And /aybe he ,ould ha!e taught her to bring hi/ pleasure. Be hoped the la%e #as !ery ,old indeed. Be let hi/sel. out o. his roo/ and /o!ed 1uietly do#n the ,orridor. Be didn>t #ant to #a%e anyoneC he didn>t #ant anyone spe,ulating #hy the /ar1uis #as /o!ing about at this ungodly hour& an hour that ,ould ha!e been spent so delight.ully in a #ar/ bed #ith E//a. ?hy #as she .ighting hi/@ She ,ertainly appeared to enAoy his tou,h. ?as she a.raid@ ?as that #hy she #ould not agree to #ed hi/@ Be #ould ha!e to ,oa0 her out o. her !irgin ner!es.

Be #ould tease her a little. e/pt her. Brush up against her& stand ,lose to her& tou,h her lightly #hen they spo%e. +a%e her burn .or hi/ so her .ears #ould burn a#ay. Be grinned. And he #as ,ertain he ,ould /ispla,e any /anner o. s/all obAe,ts in her roo/. Bo# had her brush ended up a/ong his papers@ Be shrugged. :t #as odd . . . but he #asn>t ,o/plaining. "ot at all. Be hoped .or /any /ore su,h odd o,,urren,es. KKK

E//a pulled her brush through her hairCand re/e/bered Charles>s hands doing the sa/e tas%. ?ell& it #asn>t a tas% #hen he did it& it #as . . . She didn>t %no# #hat it #as. :ndes,ribable. he .eel o. his hands tangling in her ,urls& his broad pal/s s/oothing her s%in& his .ingers tou,hing her . . . She s#allo#ed. She put the brush do#n and hid her burning ,hee%s in her hands. Be had had his .ingers on her breasts. On her nipC"o& she ,ouldn>t e!en thin% it. But she ,ould .eel it. Ber body pulsed #ith the /e/ory. At least he had not tou,hed her bare s%in. At least she had had her nightgo#n on. ?hat i. she had not had it on@ ?hat #ould his .ingers ha!e .elt li%e on her s%in@ She tried to ta%e a deep breath as she .anned hersel. #ith her hand. She had spent all night t#isting in her sheets. She ,ould not get ,o/.ortable. Ber body .elt too . . . sensiti!e. She #anted that ,onne,ting door to open and Charles to ,o/e in and .inish #hat he had begun. ?hate!er the .inish /ight be. +r. Sto,%ley had spo%en o. urges. E//a giggled #ith a tou,h o. hysteria. hese .eelings #ere /ore than urges. hey #ere a .e!er& an illnessCa /adness. And her ,ure #as Aust on the other side o. the ,onne,ting door. ?hat i. she opened that door and said yes& she #ould /arry hi/& i. he #ould put out the .ires he had set in her !eins@ She thought he #ould be happy to oblige. ?ould that be so terrible@ She suspe,ted that ,hildren resulted .ro/ su,h a,ti!ity. She #ould li%e ,hildren. Be needed an heir. hey #ould both be happy. And then he #ould go o.. to <ondon.

?as a #o/an i/pregnated the .irst ti/e the /an did #hate!er he did@ ?ould they perhaps ha!e to try the pro,edure /ore than on,e@ +any ti/es@ +aybe i. Charles enAoyed the e..orts enough& he #ould stay at Knightsdale& at least .or a #hile. he girls #ould li%e that. But #ould she@ ?hat o. lo!e@ She thre# her brush do#n on the dressing table. She #as so ,on.used. She needed to ,lear her thoughts. She #ould ta%e Prinny out .or an early2/orning #al%. hen :sabelle ,ould sleep in i. she #anted. E//a ,ertainly #asn>t sleeping. She got dressed& too% her good bonnet& and 1uietly /ade her #ay do#n the hall. Prinny had de,ided he /u,h pre.erred staying #ith the girls. E//a suspe,ted Claire #as ,har/ing Coo% out o. a .e# ,hoi,e bones and s/uggling the/ up to her roo/. She .ound Prinny on Claire>s bed. DPrinny@D she #hispered. Prinny>s ears t#it,hed and his head popped up. DCo/e on& let>s go .or a #al%.D Prinny>s toenails ,li,%ed o!er the .loor& but Claire didn>t stir. E//a put hi/ on a lead until they #ere .ree o. the house and he had e0pended a s/all portion o. his energy. hen she de,ided she #ould ris% losing hi/ o!er ha!ing her ar/ dislo,ated. Be tore o.. ahead o. her in pursuit o. a s1uirrel. ?as +eg out on the estate so/e#here& ,olle,ting spe,i/ens@ She o.ten got up early to go plant hunting. E//a paused on the broad greens#ard and loo%ed ba,% at the house. he sun #as Aust lighting its sandstone #alls and glinting o.. the #indo#s. She had al#ays li%ed its orderly .a,ade best o. the great houses in the neighborhoodC?estbroo%e had been added to so hapha-ardly o!er the ,enturies that it #as no# an ar,hite,tural /ish/ashF Al!ord& a ,astle& ga!e her a ,losed2in .eeling. :. she /arried Charles& she #ould be the /istress o. Knightsdale. She #al%ed do#n to#ard the la%e. She li%ed +rs. <a/bert& the house%eeper. She #ould ha!e no trouble getting along #ith her. She lo!ed :sabelle and Claire. She #ould be ,lose to +eg& able to %eep an eye on her. And she>d be ,lose to her .ather.

?hat #as she thin%ing@ he house& the ,hildrenC none o. that really /attered. ?hat #as i/portant #as Charles. 5id he lo!e herCor #as she Aust a si/ple solution to a pressing proble/@ Could she stand to enter into a /arriage o. ,on!enien,e@ "o& not #ith Charles. "ot the #ay he /ade her .eel. She needed hi/ too /u,h. She %ne# it. She #ould hang on hi/ #hen he #as in the ,ountry and pine .or hi/ #hen he #as in o#n. hat #ould not be good .or either o. the/. Be #ould ,o/e to resent herCand her heart #ould brea%. She heard Prinny yapping up ahead. DPrinnyGD he yapping only got louder. Bad he .ound +eg@ 5id she need help@ E//a pi,%ed up her s%irts and ran do#n to the la%e. She ,ould hear Prinny& but she ,ouldn>t see hi/. Be /ust be behind the bushes ahead o. her. She du,%ed under a hanging bran,h and bet#een t#o o!ergro#n shrubs. DPriCD She s%idded to a stop& gaping. DEood /orning& +iss Peterson.D D8h.D She s,run,hed her eyes tightly ,losed and then opened the/ again. he !ision had not gone a#ay. he +ar1uis o. Knightsdale #as standing under a tree by the la%e& bare as the day he #as born. ?ell& not 1uite so bare. Be did ha!e a to#el #rapped around his #aistCa to#el that Prinny #as .ranti,ally trying to re/o!e. She s#allo#ed& her /outh suddenly dry. She had gotten a generous loo% at hi/ the night he had ,o/e ghost2hunting in the nursery& but then he>d been partly #rapped in a sheet. Juite a bit /ore o. his glorious body #as displayed .or her inspe,tion this /orning. he strong ,olu/n o. his ne,%F the broad e0panse o. his shouldersF the /us,les bulging in his upper ar/s as he ,lut,hed the to#elF the light bro#n ,urls sprin%led o!er his ,hest& trailing do#n to his na!el and belo#Cho# .ar belo#& she ,ouldn>t say. he to#el blo,%ed her !ie#. 3ortunately. $es. She #as !ery .ortunate the to#el blo,%ed her !ie#. Prinny ga!e another tug on the ,orner he>d gotten in his /outh and the to#el slipped slightly. D5o you suppose you ,ould ,all o.. your dog& s#eetheart@ 8nless you #ould li%e to see e!en /ore o. /e than you are ,urrently studying@ "ot that : obAe,t& o. ,ourse. : a/ al#ays happy to oblige a lady. :>ll Aust let Prinny ha!e the blasted to#el& shall :@D

D"oGD E//a leapt to grab Prinny>s ,ollar. She reatta,hed his lead and tried to persuade hi/ to release his pri-e. She struggled to %eep her eyes on Prinny>s Aa#s& not Charles>s legs. Bis bare .eet. Bis toes. DPrinny& bad dogGD she said. Ber !oi,e sounded #ea% to her o#n ears. 3orget the /ar1uis>s toes& she told hersel.. DPrinny& let go no#GD Prinny gro#led. Be #as not interested in ,ooperating. D:>/ sorry& /y lord&D she said& loo%ing up the length o. hi/ .ro/ #here she ,rou,hed on the ground #ith Prinny. D:t loo%s li%eCohGD She stared at his to#el. here #as a !ery large bulge po%ing out .ro/ his body. DBa!e you dislo,ated so/ething@D D?hat do you /ean@D DSo/ething is not right& /y lord. See@D She rea,hed to#ard the obAe,t. D5on>t tou,h.D E//a sat ba,% 1ui,%ly. D here>s no need to shout. Are you in /u,h pain@D Bis entire bodyCat least all that she ,ould seeC turned bright red. D$es. : a/ in intense pain. : a/ going to die in about .i!e se,onds i. you do not turn around and ,lose your eyes this /o/ent.D Bis !oi,e sounded ,lipped. She loo%ed all the #ay up to his .a,e. Bis /outh #as pulled tight. DCan>t : do so/ething to help@D D$es& you ,an. : a/ positi!e you ,an ,ure /y ,ondition& but not today. oday you #ill turn around& put your hands o!er your eyes& and %eep the/ there until : tell you to re/o!e the/. "o pee%ing. 5o you understand@D D: a/ not one o. your pri!ates& /y lord.D DPri!ates. Oh& Eod. Iust do as you are told& +iss Peterson. Please@ : beg o. you.D DOh& !ery #ell.D E//a did not really #ant to add to his su..ering& but she did not ,are to be shouted at. Still& she supposed allo#an,es needed to be /ade .or a /an in ob!ious pain. She turned . . . but i. she put her hands o!er her eyes& she>d ha!e to let go o. Prinny. D+y lord&D she said& beginning to turn ba,%. D3ree-e& +iss Peterson.D

DBut. . . ohGD E//a .elt a Aer% on the lead and then #at,hed Prinny run o.. do#n the la%e& dragging Charles>s to#el in his /outh. She slapped her hands o!er her eyes.

Charles struggled to get his bree,hes on. Be loo%ed longingly at the la%e. Be needed an i,y dip e!en /ore no#. o ha!e E//a e0a/ining hi/ in su,h detail. . . Eod& it had been slo# torture. And she didn>t e!en %no# #hat she #as doing to hi/C #hat she #as loo%ing at. Be #ould dearly lo!e to sho# her. :. only he ,ould ta%e her up to his bed no#. Be ,ould relie!e so/e o. his tension. A little relie. #ould /a%e buttoning his bloody bree,hes easier. :. he didn>t /arry her soon& he #as going to go /ad& utterly and ,o/pletely /ad. D+y lord& you should not be out here #ithout your ,lothing on.D D$ou sound li%e a go!erness& +iss Peterson.D Be .inally got the last button ,losed. DAre you pee%ing@D D"oGD she s1uea%ed. DBut you should not be out here s#i//ing li%e that. Anyone ,ould ,o/e along.D DAnyone did ,o/e along.D Charles tugged his shirt o!er his head. DE0a,tly. +eg is probably out here so/e#here& loo%ing .or spe,i/ens. ?hat i. she had stu/bled on to you@ Or +iss Oldston or +iss Pelha/ orCD DOr the patronesses o. Al/a,%>s. S#eetheart& the <ondon ladies #ill not stir .ro/ their beds .or hoursCand #hen they do& they are not going to ,o/e running outdoors. hey #ill ha!e their ,ho,olate and .iddle #ith their toilette and /aybe /a%e it do#nstairs by lun,heon. : a/ not #orried about en,ountering any o. the <ondon /isses by the la%e #hen the sun is barely up.D D?ell& #hat about +eg& then@D D+eg isCor #as #hen : ,a/e outFCin the %it,hen& tal%ing to Coo%. : #arned her : #as going .or a s#i/.D Charles s/iled& re/e/bering +eg>s %no#ing grin. Be>d #ager +eg had a good idea #hy he>d .elt the need .or a /orning dip. Certainly /ore o. a ,lue than her lo!ely& obli!ious sister. D$ou ,an un,o!er your eyes no#& E//a. :>/ de,entD

E//a spun around. Ber eyes i//ediately .ell to the .lap on his bree,hes. D$ou are sure you are all right& /y lord@D She rea,hed out again as i. to tou,h hi/. Charles #aited& hoping& but no& she stopped and pulled ba,% her hand. D$ou do loo% better. here #as so/ething ,learly a/iss #ith your anato/y earlier. 5id you noti,e@D She .lushed and straightened her shoulders. D: %no# : should not be raising su,h an inti/ate topi,& but you see/ed in su,h pain. Ba!e you had a surgeon e0a/ine you@D DEod ha!e /er,y& #o/an& there is nothing a/iss #ith /y anato/y& as : #ill be delighted to sho# you on,e you agree to /arry /e.D Be grabbed her and pulled her into his ar/s. DPerhaps :>ll sho# you sooner& i. you ,ontinue to torture /e in this .ashion.D D+y lordGD Be had had enough o. loo%ing and tal%ing. :t #as ti/e .or tou,hingCpast ti/e. She struggled .or an instant and then sagged against hi/. Ber /outh opened readily #hen his lips tou,hed hers. She #as learning. Be tasted her slo#ly& thoroughly. here #as no rush. hey #ere sheltered here by the la%e& and it #as true that no one else .ro/ the house party #ould be out this early. And i. they #ere& and +iss Peterson #ere ,o/pro/ised@ ?ell& his intentions #ere honorable. Co/pletely honorable. She /ade a .unny little noise in her throat& li%e a ,at purring. Be leaned ba,% against the tree trun%& ta%ing her #ith hi/& stro%ing the side o. her breast. She #hi/pered& ar,hing into his hand. Be rubbed her nipple #ith his thu/b& and she /elted against hi/. Be ran one hand do#n her ba,% to her botto/& pressing her against his poor& a,hing anato/y. Be really& really #ished there #as a ni,e& so.t bed handy. E//a #as /elting. Ber li/bs .elt hea!y& her %nees #ere uselessCshe ,ould no longer stand on her o#n. here #as an a,hing e/ptiness lo# in her belly and a disturbing #et throbbing bet#een her legs. ?as she ill@ She ,ertainly .elt .e!ered. She should /o!e ba,% .ro/ Charles. She #ould& in Aust a /o/ent. On,e she #as ,apable o. /o!e/ent. hen his .inger tou,hed her nipple& and she #as no longer ,apable o. thought. 3eeling& yes. <ud& she ,ould .eel hi/. She needed to .eel hi/. Bis lips gra-ed her Aa#. She turned slightly& tilting her head ba,% against his upper ar/& gi!ing his /outh roo/ to roa/ #here he #ished. ?here she #ished. Bis lips tou,hed a spot high on her ne,%& Aust belo# her ear. endrils o. #ar/th& o. need& ,oiled through her. Be /o!ed slo#ly do#n her throat& lea!ing so.t& /oist %isses& ta%ing her breath a#ay. She /oaned.

She .elt so #ar/. Bot. Ber breasts .elt s#ollen. She needed hi/ to tou,h her. She needed to .eel his hands on her as she had the night be.ore. She panted& ar,hing& thrusting her breasts higher& begging hi/ silently to tou,h her. Be did. One hand ,radled her Aa#& stro%ed her ne,%& her shoulders #hile the other pressed her lo#er body ,lose. Bis leg ,a/e bet#een hers and she nestled against hi/. he pressure o. his hard& /us,led thigh against her a,he .elt #onder.ul. She ro,%ed. D hat>s it& lo!e. $es& E//a. S#eet.D Bis hand loosened the ne,% o. her dress and slipped it do#n. Bis .ingersChis bare .ingersC tou,hed her s%in. :t #as sho,%ing. Or #ould be sho,%ing i. she had any ability to .eel sho,%. She didn>t. Ber e/otions #ere too o,,upied #ith this strange& .e!ered need that ,onsu/ed her. And then his lips tou,hed her breast. She threaded her .ingers through his hair& holding hi/ ,lose. Bis tongue rasped against her nipple. Bis /outh su,%ed. Bis other hand %neaded her botto/& urging her to ro,% harder against his thigh. So/ething #as happening to her. DCharles.D Ber !oi,e sounded thin and reedy. DShh& E//a. :t>s all right. Co/e on& s#eetheart. $ou ,an do it. Co/e on& lo!e. :>/ here. :t>s all right. : ha!e you. : #on>t let you go.D E//a .elt #ild. ?anton. +ad. 5esperate. So/ething #as happening. She #as so tense. Charles su,%ed on one breast and then the other. She .elt the ,ool /orning air and the sun on her nipples. She #as e0posed .or the #orld& .or Charles to see. She #as beyond ,aring. She #as possessed by need. She panted and #rithed against Charles. Be grabbed her botto/ in both hands& guiding her& helping her rub against hi/. :t #as not enough. "ot 1uite enough. So/ething #as Aust beyond her grasp. Charles pulled her tight against hi/& putting his hand #here his thigh had been. Be ,upped her there& and then his .ingers rubbed up against her& against so/e sensiti!e s/all point. . . . She shattered. Bis /outh ,aptured the strange sounds she /ade as so/ething po#er.ul pulsed through her. And then she ,ollapsed against hi/. She #as so li/p& she ,ould not li.t her head. She let it lie hea!y on his ,hest as her pounding heart gradually slo#ed to nor/al.

DBeauti.ul& E//a&D Charles #hispered. DSo beauti.ul.D Bis hands %neaded her botto/& stro%ed her hair. She #as draped against his thigh. S/all tre/ors still shi!ered through her. She ,losed her eyes. She #anted to stay e0a,tly #here she #as .ore!er. By the la%e& draped a,ross the +ar1uis o. Knights2dale>s body& her go#n do#n around her #aist& in .ull !ie# o. any passerby. E//a yelped& pushed a#ay .ro/ Charles& and ran .or the house& pulling her dress up as she #ent. D?hat ha!e you done to E//a& Charles@D D?hat do you /ean& #hat ha!e : done to E//a& Aunt@D Charles loo%ed up .ro/ his papers. his /orning Aunt #as attired in a !iolet and apple2green dress. Be #onderedC not .or the .irst ti/eC ho# her /antua2/a%er ,ould bear to perpetrate su,h ,ri/es against good taste. DShe #on>t ,o/e out o. her roo/. Says she>s indisposed.D DOh@ And #hy /ust : ha!e anything to do #ith her indisposition@D Aunt Beatri,e leaned on his des% and s%e#ered hi/ #ith her eyes. DBe,ause <a!inia Begley said she sa# E//a running up .ro/ the la%e early this /orning. :t loo%ed as though there #as so/ething the /atter #ith her dress. And then& not /any /inutes later& you ,a/e along #ith Prinny.D Charles #as !ery /u,h a.raid he #as blushing. D+iss Peterson had an& u/& a,,ident #ith her go#n. : brought the dog along so she ,ould return i//ediately to .i0 the proble/.D Aunt Bea snorted. DOr perhaps she returned to es,ape the proble/. Bo# e0a,tly did this . . . a,,ident . . . happen@D D: really ,an>t say.D DCan>t say@ hat>s ri,h. ?on>t say& /ore li%e.D DAunt& : hope you are not insinuating : /ade inappropriate ad!an,es.D :nappropriate@ S,andalous& /ore li%e. Be ignored the thought. D: ha!e only honorable intentions.D DOh& ,li/b o.. your high horse. : a/ not ,o/plaining. +a%e all the ad!an,es you ,are to& Aust slip a ring on the girl>s .inger be.ore you slip so/ething else bet#een her thighs.D DAuntGD D3or Eod>s sa%e& Charles& you ain>t a !irgin& are you@D

D hat is not your a..airCbut : ,ertainly thought you #ere.D Charles blin%ed. Aunt Beatri,e a,tually blushedCthe ,olor did not go #ell #ith her ense/ble. DAnd that&D she said& Dis not your a..air.D DRight. Juite agree. "ot /y a..air.D he thought #as. . . here had been ru/ors . . . "o& he ,ouldn>t let his /ind ,onte/plate . . . ?ell& i. she had had a para/our& the .ello# /ust ha!e been ,olor2blind. hough one assu/es she #ould ha!e re/o!edC "o& he #ould not thin% about it. DE//a& ho#e!er& is a !irgin.D Aunt paused and raised an eyebro#. DShe is& isn>t she@ : /ean& still@ $ou didn>t. . . @D D"oGD DEood. Bo#e!er& : belie!e you did so/ething to her.D She shrugged. D$oung girls are so s%ittish no#adays. $ou probably only ga!e her a little too intense a %iss& though there is the /atter o. her dress . . .D Aunt loo%ed hi/ o!er ,are.ully. Charles %ept his .a,e e0pressionless. DB//. ?ell& #hate!er happened& it ob!iously unsettled her. Eo upstairs and apologi-e. Hery ni,ely. Hery thoroughly. : #ant to announ,e your betrothal at the ball.D Charles a,%no#ledged as he ,li/bed the stairs that he had let his passion outrun his good sense that /orning. Be #as as ,ertain as he ,ould be that the %iss he>d gi!en E//a in his ,urri,le the day he arri!ed had been her .irst. And that %iss had been a /ere brushing o. lips. ?ell& #ith E//a nothing #as D/ere.D But still& he should ne!er ha!e ta%en her so .ar and so 1ui,%ly do#n the road to sedu,tion as he had by the la%e. Be %no,%ed on her door. DE//a@D DEo a#ay.D Be loo%ed do#n the ,orridor. he +isses 3arthington stared interestedly ba,% at hi/. Be bo#ed and ,ontinued on to his roo/. Be %no,%ed on the ,onne,ting door. DE//a@D DEo a#ay.D

D?e need to tal%& s#eetheart.D Be pushed on the door. :t didn>t /o!e. DBa!e you put so/ething in .ront o. the door& E//a@D D$es.D Ber !oi,e sounded /u..led& as though she had been ,rying. DS#eetheart& you don>t ha!e to be a.raid o. /e. <et /e in. : pro/ise #e #ill only tal%. : #on>t tou,h you or distress you in any #ay.D Silen,e greeted this state/ent. Charles too% this as an en,ouraging sign. DE//a& you /ust ha!e 1uestions. 5o you understand #hat happened at the la%e@D D"oGD his #as deli!ered in a #ailing& teary tone& .ollo#ed by a de.inite sni... Be .elt the oddest sensation& as i. his heart had turned o!er in his ,hest. D<et /e ,o/e in& E//a. ?e ,an tal% 1uietly. $ou don>t #ant anyone to o!erhear our ,on!ersation& do you@D D"o.D his ti/e there #as a tou,h o. pani, also. Be heard her ,ross the .loor and push so/ething out o. the #ay. She opened the door. Ber poor eyes #ere s#ollen .ro/ ,rying. DE//a.D Be bro%e his pro/ise #ithout a se,ond thought. Be s1uee-ed past the s/all ,hest she had pushed in .ront o. the door& and dre# her gently up against hi/& holding her ,lose. DE//a& s#eetheart& :>/ so sorry : upset you. : didn>t /ean to .righten you.D She sighed and leaned against hi/. DCo/e.D Be led her ba,% to the big ,hair by the .ire and pulled her do#n onto his lap. Be held her head against his shoulder& stro%ing her hair as he #ould :sabelle or Claire. Be lo!ed the .eel o. her body rela0ed and hea!y against his. Be #as a/a-ed he .elt no lust. Oh& it #as there& o. ,ourse& but li%e an or,hestra playing in the ballroo/ #hen one #as standing on the terra,e. ?onder.ul& /agi,al& but in the ba,%ground. Be .elt strangely ,ontent. Be rested his ,hee% against her head& %issing her hair& breathing in her s#eet s,ent. D?hat did you do to /e@D she #hispered against his ,hest. Bo# to ans#er that 1uestion@ D: /ade lo!e to you& s#eetheart.D Be .elt her tense. DSo& a/ :. . . u/ . . . A/ : . . . p2pregnant@D Be /ight ha!e .ound the situation .unny& i. she hadn>t been so distressed.

D"o& E//a& you aren>t pregnant.D DAre you ,ertain@D DCo/pletely ,ertain& s#eetheart. here is no #ay you ,ould be in,reasing.D DBut so/ething !ery . . . odd happened to /e.D She #as #hispering again. Be had to hold his breath to hear her. D: .elt so . . . #ild. "eedy. : a,hed .or you to . . . : don>t %no# . . . .ill /e in so/e #ay.D Charles too% a deep& shuddering breath. "o# he .elt lust. :t threatened to sta/pede all his good intentions. Be %ne# e0a,tly ho# he ,ould .ill her. D$ou had your lips on /y. . . u/ . . . you %no#. <i%e a baby nursing. And then& :C:. . . shattered. So/ething inside /e pulsed and& and e!ery#here got hot and .lushed and then . . . it all rela0ed.D D8h.D Eod& he #as going to e0plode. D8/& that sounds a little un,o/.ortable. 5id you li%e it& s#eetheart@D She #as silent .or a /inute& and Charles thought his heart #ould stop. D$es&D she #hispered .inally. D: li%ed it.D Be sighed and hugged her ,loser. D:>/ glad.D DBut ho# do you %no# :>/ not in,reasing@D DBe,ause . . .D ?hat ,ould he say@ Be did not thin% she #as ready .or the spe,i.i,s. DBe,ause so/ething has to happen to /e& too& s#eetheart& to /a%e a baby. And that thing did not happen today.D DOh.D She loo%ed up at hi/. D?ere you sorry the thing didn>t happen@D Eod& he had to %iss her. Be brushed his lips o!er her .orehead. DA little sorry& s#eetheart& be,ause it .eels !ery ni,e. But : %ne# it #asn>t the right ti/e.D She dropped her .a,e be.ore he ,ould taste her lips. Ber .ingers t#isted one o. his #aist,oat buttons.

DSo& you>!e /ade babies be.ore@D D"oGD At least he #as al/ost ,ertain no ,hildren had resulted .ro/ his other en,ounters. D hen ho# do you %no# it .eels ni,e@D Charles .elt desperate. D: Aust do& E//a. $ou #ill ha!e to trust /e on that. :t>s so/ething /en %no#.D D hat sounds li%e hu/bug to /e.D >D?ell& it>s not. "o#& do you .orgi!e /e .or this /orning@D She nodded. D: guess so. But : ha!e one /ore 1uestion.D D$es@D Charles .elt a sin%ing in his sto/a,h as she dropped her eyes to her hands. ?hy did he thin% this #as going to be the hardest 1uestion@ D$ou said you /ade lo!e to /e.D D$es.D D5oes that /ean you lo!e /e@D Charles .elt as i. he had Aust been %i,%ed in the sto/a,h. E//a had been so .rightened and so e/barrassed. E/barrassed #hen she thought o. ho# she had beha!ed by the la%eF .rightened #hen she thought she /ight be in,reasing. She #as un/arried. Bo# ,ould she ,are .or a ,hild@ ?here #ould she li!e@ Bot sha/e dren,hed her. Ber .ather& +egCthey #ould be so sho,%ed& so disappointed. She ,ould not i/agine #hat her .ather #ould say. She lo,%ed the door to the ,orridor and pushed the ,hest in .ront o. the ,onne,ting door. She did not #ant to see Charles. She held her hands to her burning ,hee%s. Oh& Eod. Be had seen her breasts. Be had had his /outh on the/& on her nipC She s1uee-ed her eyes tightly ,losed. Be had tou,hed her. And she had #rithed against hi/& li%e& li%e . . . She didn>t %no# #hat she had been li%e. he entire e!ent #as beyond her e0perien,e. "o& #hat had happened at the la%e didn>t bear thin%ing o.& yet she had spent these past hours thin%ing o. nothing elseC#hen she #asn>t ,rying& terri.ied she #as en,einte. She #as possessed by Charles. :t #as a /adness. ?hen she ,losed her eyes& she sa# hi/ as i. his i/age had been burned into her eyelids. She sa# hi/ standing in the /orning light li%e a Ere,ian god& sa# his broad shoulders& the /us,les o. his ar/s& his ,hest. :n,hes and in,hes o. #ar/ s%in.

She hugged hersel.Cand .elt his hands sliding o!er her again& o!er her botto/& her breasts. She .elt his lips& his tongue on her s%in& his /outh su,%ing. She .elt the #et& throbbing e/ptiness bet#een her legs. Ber s%in gre# hot and sensiti!e. ?hat #as the /atter #ith her@ his illness #as beyond the lust she had .elt in the ,onser!atory& beyond the urges +r. Sto,%ley had #arned her o.. :t truly #as a /adness. So #hen Charles had s,rat,hed on her door& she>d been both a.raid to let hi/ in and a.raid to %eep hi/ out. ?hen she>d seen hi/ standing there& she ,ouldn>t say i. he #ere her sal!ation or da/nation. :t didn>t /atter. ?hate!er he #as& she needed hi/. She al/ost ,ried #ith relie. #hen his hands tou,hed her and brought her up against his ,hest. She breathed in his s,ent& the ,lean s/ell o. linen and soap and so/ething else& so/ething /ale. Be #as so ,al/. Bis hands and !oi,e soothed her. Be /ade the tight %not o. .ear and sha/e in her sto/a,h rela0. Be #as Charles. Be #as the boy she had idoli-ed as a girl& #ho had dried her tears #hen she>d ,ried all alone by the strea/ in the #oods. Be #as the young /an she had drea/ed o. #hen she #as putting her girlhood behind her. Be #as the .irst /an she had %issed& the only /an #ho had tou,hed her. She let hi/ pull her do#n to sit on his lap. She .elt #ar/ and prote,ted. here #as none o. the tension and tur/oil she>d .elt at the la%e. ?ell& perhaps there #as so/e. Iust a little. She .elt his hard shoulder under her ,hee% and his hand stro%ing through her hair. A pulse began to beat lo# in her /iddle. D?hat did you do to /e@D she>d as%ed. D: /ade lo!e to you& s#eetheart&D he had ans#ered. She>d tensed. She had heard +rs. <a/bert say those #ords to a pregnant /aid on,e. DOh& he /ade lo!e to you& did he& girl@ Be ga!e you a slip on the shoulder& that>s #hat he did& and you >ll be paying .or it in a .e# /onths> ti/e #ith a #ailing babe.D DSo& a/ :. . . u/ . . . A/. :. . . p2pregnant@D D"o& E//a& you aren>t pregnant.D Be>d sounded so ,ertain. Be /ust %no#. +en #ere taught these things. She>d .elt i//easurable relie.& so she>d told hi/ ho# she>d .elt by the la%e& ho# she had been o!er,o/e by /adness. Be had not sounded sho,%ed. ?ell& it probably #as not

sho,%ing to hi/. Be had done this all be.ore& #ith other #o/en. :t #asn>t anything spe,ial to hi/. hat had be,o/e pain.ully apparent #hen she>d as%ed her last 1uestion. D$ou said you /ade lo!e to /e.D D$es.D D5oes that /ean you lo!e /e@D Bis silen,e le.t little doubt as to his ans#er& so she>d /ade her .eelings Aust as ,lear. She>d slapped hi/.

Chapter 11
D: thin% our plan>s not #or%ing& :sabelle. +a/a Peterson and Papa Charles loo% li%e they>re angry #ith ea,h other.D :sabelle nodded. She and Claire #ere sitting on the landing& #at,hing the house party lea!e .or a pi,ni,. 8n,le Charles had ,o/e up to +iss Peterson /ore than on,e& but she had turned a#ay .ro/ hi/ e!ery ti/e. D?e ha!e to thin% o. so/ething else& Claire.D :sabelle .ro#ned. She had been so ,ertain the hidden hairbrush #ould bring 8n,le Charles and +iss Peterson together. D:s there so/ething else o. +iss Peterson>s #e ,an put in 8n,le Charles>s roo/@D D?hat about her nightgo#n& :sabelle@ <et>s hide thatGD :sabelle nodded. DShe>ll de.initely need her nightgo#n. : thin% she has only one.D D?ell& i. she has /ore& #e>ll hide /ore.D Claire stood up as the last houseguest le.t the hall. D<et>s go. ?e>ll hide the/ good& so +a/a Peterson and Papa Charles #ill ha!e to loo% a long ti/e.D KKK D:t doesn>t loo% good& <a!inia.D D: #ouldn>t gi!e up hope yet& <ady Bea. :t>s not li%e there>s any ,o/petition. <ord Knightsdale is not a .ool. Be #ould ne!er pi,% a #idgeon li%e <u,inda Pelha/ or A/anda Oldston.D D+iss Ba!er.ord is a ni,e enough girl& : suppose.D <ady Beatri,e shrugged. D:>/ ,ertain she ,ould get the Aob done.D DPerhaps& but she is too young& as you ha!e said.D <ady Beatri,e nodded. She and +rs. Begley #ere sitting in the /orning roo/& drin%ing teaConly tea. D: #ould li%e Charles to engage his /ind& not Aust his . . . you %no#. :. he /arries si/ply to pro,ure an heir& :>/ a.raid he>ll stay at Knightsdale only long enough to a,,o/plish that goal. he estateCand the girlsCneed hi/ here on a /ore per/anent basis.D DE0a,tly. "o& : thin% +iss Peterson is the only real option.D DSo& #hat ,an #e do to ensure /y idiot nephe# /a%es the proper ,hoi,e@D

DB//. :>/ not ,ertain. :t #ill ta%e so/e thought. Perhaps #e should enlist the e..orts o. the So,iety.D <ady Bea snorted. D: don>t suppose it ,ould hurt. <oo%s li%e the boy is /a%ing /i,e.eet o. things by hi/sel..D

E//a #as .urious& and the /ore she thought about the ,on,luding s,ene #ith Charles in her bed,ha/ber& the angrier she got. <ord Knightsdale had ta%en in,redible liberties #ith her person& and he didn>t %no# i. he lo!ed her@ She ,ould ha!e dan,ed a 1uadrille to his he//ing and ha#ing as she>d hissed hi/ out o. her roo/. Be>d barely gotten his ba,%side o!er the threshold be.ore she>d sla//ed the door. She #as .urious #ith hersel. as #ell. She had stupidly assu/ed the physi,al a,ti!ities they had engaged in re.le,ted /ore than physi,al lust on his part. She snorted. She #as a patheti,& nai!e& t#enty2si02year2old !irginCdid she thin% /en lo!ed the #hores they .re1uented@ Ber sto/a,h lur,hed. Surely she /eant /ore to Charles than a #hore@ She strode up the stairs to the nursery. :t had started to rain. +ost o. the house party guests had de,ided to /o!e the pi,ni, into the ridi,ulous repli,a o. the Pantheon Charles>s grand.ather had had the luna,y to build. E//a had not ,ared to listen to the/ DoohD and DahhD o!er the statuary. She had #al%ed ba,% by hersel.. D"anny& #here are the girls@D Prinny heard her !oi,e and ,a/e dashing out o. Claire>s roo/& bar%ing /adly. DShh& sir. $ou are disturbing the pea,e.D DHisiting Coo%Cshush& ye heathen beastGD E//a .ro#ned. ?hen #as the last ti/e Claire and :sabelle had had their lessons@ She had been e0tre/ely negle,t.ul o. her duties. ?ell& that #ould ,hange. o/orro# she #ould ,o/e to the s,hoolroo/ .irst thing in the /orning. DHery #ell. :>ll ta%e Prinny do#n to the long gallery and let hi/ e0er,ise a little. he house party guests are all pi,ni,%ing at the Pantheon.D ?hen E//a rea,hed the gallery& she learned that she #as /ista%en. +r. Sto,%ley #as there be.ore her. Be #as ad/iring the long line o. Knightsdale an,estors arrayed in artisti, splendor on the #alls o. the gallery. She stopped and bent to grab Prinny>s ,ollar. She de.initely did not #ant to repeat her e0perien,e #ith +r. Sto,%ley in the grotto& espe,ially so soon a.ter her upsetting interlude by the la%e #ith the e!il /ar1uis. She started to drag Prinny to#ard the stairs but stopped to stare at +r. Sto,%ley>s odd beha!ior.

Be #as loo%ing behind the paintings. She blin%ed. $es& he did it again. Be ,are.ully li.ted the .ra/e a#ay .ro/ the #all and peered behind it. hen he stu,% his hand into the spa,e and /o!ed it up and do#n. ?hate!er #as he thin%ing@ Prinny thought this a,ti!ity unusual as #ell. Be started bar%ing. +r. Sto,%ley Au/ped and al/ost %no,%ed the bust o. Charles>s Ereat28n,le Randall o.. its pedestal. D+iss Peterson. : thought you #ere at the pi,ni,.D E//a entered the gallery. She didn>t really ha!e a ,hoi,e. Prinny #as deter/ined to in!estigate +r. Sto,%ley>s bi-arre beha!ior. She ga!e up and let go o. his ,ollar. Be tore o.. to sni.. +r. Sto,%ley>s boots. he /an #rin%led his nose and stepped ba,%. DCould you ,all your dog o..& +iss Peterson@D DPrinny>s really 1uite .riendly& +r. Sto,%ley.D DPerhaps. Bo#e!er& the .a,t re/ains that : do not ,are .or ani/als.D D: see.D E//a #as not surprised. She had de,ided +r. Sto,%ley #as an unpleasant indi!idual. She bent to grab Prinny>s ,ollar& but the dog dan,ed out o. her rea,h. DPrinny& ,o/e here no#GD Prinny snee-ed& suddenly losing interest in +r. Sto,%ley. Be #ent o.. to sni.. the #all behind Ereat28n,le Randall. D: #ould not say you ha!e /u,h ,ontrol o!er your ani/al& +iss Peterson.D DPrinny is a,tually /y sister>s dog.D +r. Sto,%ley li.ted an eyebro#& ,learly not belie!ing that state/ent. D: see.D hen a ,orner o. his /outh turned up and his !oi,e got the oily 1uality it had had at the grotto. Oh& <udG Be #as #iggling his eyebro#s at her again. D: also see #e>re 1uite alone. "oti,ed :>d le.t the group at the Pantheon& did you@D D+r. Sto,%leyGD Be ,hu,%led& putting his hands on her shoulders. She tried to #riggle .ree. Be tightened his hold. D?e #ere interrupted the last ti/e #e had a .e# /o/ents alone& #eren>t #e@ : thought you /ight .ind your #ay to /y roo/.D Be pulled her ,loser. D"o /atter. :>/ happy to attend to you no#.D

D"o& please.D She al/ost ,ho%ed. Bo# ,ould she ha!e %issed this /an at the grotto@ Be ob!iously did not /a%e regular use o. tooth po#der. Prinny>s breath #as better than his. D+r. Sto,%ley& : assure youCD D"o#& +iss PetersonCE//aCyou are not a young /iss. "o need .or these .alse protestations.D D hey are not .alse. : #ish you to unhand /e& sirGD D$ou #ish /e to get a hand under your s%irts. : %no#. : shall be happy to oblige.D 8nder her s%irtsG E!en Charles had not been under her s%irts& though the thought #as strangely appealing. But ,ertainly not #ith this disgusting sna%e. D ry it and :>ll s,rea/.D DOh& and #ho #ill hear you@ $our little dog& perhaps@D +r. Sto,%ley snorted. D?hat #ill he do@ Challenge /e to a duel@ :>/ 1ua%ing in /y boots.D Be leaned ,loser& a !ery nasty light in his eyes. DBut than% you .or the #arning. :>ll be sure to ,o!er your /outh be.ore : ,o!er yourCD E//a did not #ait .or /ore in.or/ation. She s,rea/ed as loudly as she ,ould& but +r. Sto,%ley #as 1ui,%. Bis /outh sla//ed do#n onto hers be.ore she had gotten her lungs /ore than slightly e/ptied. :t didn>t /atter. So/eone had heard her. +r. Sto,%ley let go o. her and yelled /u,h louder than she e!er ,ould ha!e hoped to. Prinny& her sa!ior& gro#led. D$ou bloodyCD Prinny dropped his /outh.ul o. blue super.ine and does%in and bared his teeth& ob!iously prepared to ta%e another bite .ro/ +r. Sto,%ley>s ba,%side. he /an sa# reason. Be turned and .led& treating Prinny and E//a to gli/pses o. his sno#y2#hite ru/p. DEood /orning& +iss Peterson.D D?here>s your beau@D E//a loo%ed up .ro/ the boo% she #as reading to stare at the 3arthington t#ins. DE0,use /e@D D hey /ean Papa Charles& +a/a Peterson.D E//a .ro#ned at Claire. DBa,% to your letters& /iss.D he 3arthington t#ins giggled.

DPapa Charles&D +iss Esther said. +iss Ra,hel grinned. D:>d #ager <ord Knightsdale #ould /a%e a !ery good papa.D DAnd be !ery good at earning that title& i. you %no# #hat : /ean&D +iss Esther #hispered& elbo#ing her sister in the ribs. he ladies giggled harder. DOh /y& yes. hose shoulders . . .D D. . . those legs.D D+//. ?ears his bree,hes 1uite #ell& don>t he@D D<adies& pleaseGD E//a .elt her ,hee%s .lush. She loo%ed ba,% at Claire. Both she and :sabelle #ere #at,hing the t#ins #ith bright& interested eyes. D5id you ,o/e up to the s,hoolroo/ .or a spe,i.i, reason@D DOh& no.D DIust passing by.D "o one DAust passed byD the top .loor o. Knightsdale. D?e>ll be going no#.D D?e>ll tell the /ar1uis #here he ,an .ind you.D D hat>s 1uite all right. Please& don>t bother.D E//a #at,hed the t#o elderly ladies lea!e. She hoped they /ade it do#n the stairs sa.ely. D"o# #hat do you suppose that #as about@D Claire and :sabelle Aust giggled. D: Aust sa# <ord Knightsdale go into his study.D E//a ,entered the tallest red rose in the !ase o. .lo#ers she #as arranging in the dra#ing roo/. D han% you .or #arning /e& +iss Russell.D D"o& :>/ not #arning you& :>/ telling you.D +iss Russell leaned ,loser. DBe>s alone.D DOh@D he older lady nodded !igorously. D:t #ould be a per.e,t ti/e .or . . . you %no#.D E//a straightened her spe,ta,les. D"o& : don>t %no#.D D$ou don>t@D +iss Russell .ro#ned. D<a!inia said she>d seen you ,o/ing ba,% .ro/ the la%e #ith your dress .allingCD

D$es& #ell& than% you& +iss Russell. : #ill ,ertainly ta%e note o. <ord Knightsdale>s #hereabouts. So good o. you to tell /e.D +iss Russell bea/ed. D: %ne# you>d #ant to %no#. :>ll .inish up the roses .or you.D D han% you. hat #ould be !ery %ind.D E//a s/iled and al/ost dashed .ro/ the roo/& hurrying to get as .ar .ro/ <ord Knightsdale>s study as possible. KKK D+iss PetersonCE//aCdo you ha!e a /o/ent@D E//a pulled her head out o. the s,hoolroo/ ,abinet she #as inspe,ting. D"ot you& too& +rs. Begley.D D: ha!e no idea #hat you /ean.D +rs. Begley loo%ed at Claire and :sabelle. DEirls& #hy don>t you ta%e Prinny .or a #al%@ : ha!e a .e# #ords o. a pri!ate nature to share #ith +iss Peterson.D D:s it about 8n,le Charles@D :sabelle s/iled. Claire grinned. D he +isses 3arthington ha!e already told +a/a Peterson #hat a good papa he>d /a%e.D DBa!e they@ ?ell& yes& : do #ish to dis,uss <ord Knightsdale& so be dears and run o...D DEirlsGD D?e>ll be ba,%& +a/a Peterson.D D:>/ sure Prinny does need a #al%& +iss Peterson.D E//a #at,hed the ,hildren lea!e and then turned to +rs. Begley. D+a/a Peterson@D E//a .lushed. D<ady Claire #ould dearly lo!e a /other. :t see/ed %indest to allo# her to ,all /e >/a/a&> though she is supposed to do so only #hen #e are alone.D +rs. Begley nodded and ,leared her throat. DSo& the 3arthington t#ins stopped by& did they@ hey ,an be a pair o. ninnyha//ers so/eti/es.D E//a nodded. D$es& indeed.D

DBo#e!er& in this ,ase they are 1uite right. <ord Knightsdale #ould /a%e a splendid papa.D D<ady BegleyCD <ady Begley held up her hand. D"o& hear /e out& +iss Peterson. $ou don>t ha!e a /other to ad!ise you& and : %no# you and +rs. Eraha/ are not on the best o. ter/s.D D+rs. Begley& please . . .D D$ou need a /arried lady to spea% to& +iss Peterson& about the u/ . .. /arried li.e. About the /arriage bed. About ,onAugal relations.D D+rs. BegleyGD E//a #as ,ertain she #as going to burst into .la/es& her ,hee%s #ere so hot. D"o#& : %no# you>re al/ost thirty. . . .D D:>/ t#enty2si0& +rs. Begley.D D #enty2si0& then. +ost girls your age are /arried #ith a 1ui!er.ul o. ,hildren. But you>!e li!ed a sheltered li.e& and you>!e had your papa and sister to ,are .or.D D$es& yes.D D: Aust don>t #ant you to be a.raid o. . . . you %no#.D D"o& no& :>/ not a.raid o.. . . o. anything.D DBe,ause so/e girls& they don>t li%e it /u,h. : suppose #ith the #rong /an& it ,ould be un,o/.ortable& or e!en unpleasant.D D$ou really don>t need toCD DBut the& u/& ,onAugal a,t is really 1uite ni,e. $ou do understand #hat a /an and #o/an do in bed together@D D8h . . .D D"o& no one has told you& ha!e they@ ?ell& /en& they ta%e their& their . . . thing.D +rs. Begley /ade a !ague gesture to#ard her #aist. DAnd they put it& u/& #here it goes.D Another !ague gesture to her #aist. D he .irst ti/e /ay hurt a bit& but a.ter that it ,an be 1uite lo!ely. And there>s usually a bit o. %issing and snuggling and . . . and %issing that goes on.D +rs. Begley got an odd& al/ost drea/y e0pression on her .a,e. DS1uire is !ery good at it& you %no#.D

D"oG "o& please& don>t .eelCD E//a did not #ant to thin% about portly S1uire Begley and +rs. Begley doing anything that in!ol!ed a bed and . . . things lo,ated any#here near a person>s #aist. S1uire Begley didn>t e!en ha!e a #aist any longer. +rs. Begley grinned. DHery good at it& indeed. ?hy& Aust last night. . .D She sighed and shoo% her head. >?ell& that>s neither here nor there. he point is& +iss Peterson& that the /arriage bed ,an be a !ery ,o/.ortable pla,e. And :>/ 1uite ,ertain <ord Knightsdale %no#s ho# to please a lady. ?hy& i. : didn>t ha!e /y S1uire and i. : #ere a .e# years younger . . .D D$es. han% you. :>/ sure : understand no#.D +rs. Begley leaned .or#ard. DBut do you understand this is your best ,han,e@ +aybe your only ,han,e@ : don>t /ean to be rude& +iss Peterson& but thirty2year2old #o/enCD D #enty2si0GD +rs. Begley #a!ed her hand dis/issi!ely. D #enty2si02year2old #o/en& i. you #ill& are 1uite .ir/ly on the shel.. 3e#& i. any& /en are interested in shopping there #hen they ,an ha!e their pi,% o. the ne# ,rop o. .resh& young /aidens. : /ean& #hat e0a,tly are you sa!ing yoursel. .or@D E//a too% an agitated turn around the garden. :. she sa# another /e/ber o. the So,iety .or the Better/ent o. ?o/en& she #ould run a#ay s,rea/ing. She turned a ,orner and spotted <ady Beatri,e. 3ortunately& Charles>s aunt had not seen her. E//a du,%ed ba,% behind a rose bush. D+iss Peterson.D She turned to see #here the #hisper had ,o/e .ro/. he !oi,e didn>t sound li%e it belonged to one o. the So,iety ladies. DO!er here& +iss Peterson.D he 5u,hess o. Al!ord #as sitting on a ben,h under a tree and #a!ing. She laughed as E//a rea,hed her. D?ho/ are you hiding .ro/@D E//a s/iled. D<ady Beatri,e.D DAh. ?ell& sit here beside /e. ?e shall pretend to be in ,lose ,on!ersation. :. she ,o/es our #ay& :>/ ,ertain she #ill be too polite to interrupt.D E//a #as not ,ertain o. that at all& but& .ortunately& <ady Beatri,e did not ,o/e their #ay.

D:. you don>t /ind /y as%ing& +iss Peterson& #hy are you hiding .ro/ <ady Beatri,e@D D:>/ a.raid she is going to tell /e #hy : should /arry her nephe#.D E//a .lushed. D: /ust sound !ery ,on,eited& but :>!e had .our other ladies ,orner /e today to gi!e /e that /essage& so : e0pe,ted : #ould hear the sa/e thing .ro/ <ord Knightsdale>s aunt.D D:nteresting. And you do not #ant to /arry Charles@D E//a studied the du,hess>s .a,e. Bere #as a #o/anCa young #o/anC#ho surely #ould understand. She #as ob!iously ,o/pletely in lo!e #ith her husbandCand the du%e #as #ildly ena/ored o. his #i.e. D<ord Knightsdale doesn>t lo!e /e.D DOh.D he du,hess blin%ed. DBas he told you so@D D"o& but it>s ob!ious& isn>t it@D D"ot to /e. :n .a,t& : do thin% Ia/es said Charles #as rather interested in you.D E//a shoo% her head. DOh& he #ants a #i.eChe needs one& no# that he is the /ar1uis. And :>/ ,on!enient. hat>s all it is.D DAre you ,ertain@ : ha!e noti,ed his eyes .ollo# you #hen you are in the roo/ #ith hi/.D E//a blushed& her heart suddenly pounding. DSurely you i/agine itGD D"o& : don>t thin% so.D he du,hess s/iled. DBas he sho#n you any /ar%ed attention@ Bas he sought you out in pri!ate@ Bas he perhaps %issed you@D She laughed. D5on>t .eel you need to ans#er those 1uestions aloud. : a/ not so bold as to pry into your personal li.e.D E//a s/oothed her dress o!er her lap. +r. Sto,%ley had %issed her& and he de.initely did not lo!e her. <usted a.ter her& perhaps& but lo!e@ "o. ?hy #ould Charles>s interest be any di..erent@ ?ell& Charles had o..ered /arriage. his #as e0,eedingly e/barrassing& but she desperately needed to get so/e ans#ers. She .or,ed hersel. to ,on.ide in the du,hess. D<ord Knightsdale has& u/& been so/e#hat parti,ular in his attentions& so /u,h so that :& :. . .D Bo# ,ould she say it@ he du,hess sat 1uietly& #aiting. E//a re/inded hersel. she needed ad!i,e. D:. . . : as%ed hi/ i. he lo!ed /e& and he . . .D

D. . . he said no@D he du,hess sounded appalled. DBut you Aust told /e that he had not said he didn>t lo!e you.D D"oG $es. : don>t %no#. Be didn>t a,tually say he didn>t lo!e /e& he Aust sat there and stared at /e& /outh agape li%e a& a great ,odGD E//a sni..ed. She #as sho,%ed to .eel tears tri,%ling do#n her ,hee%s. She s#iped at the/ #ith the ba,% o. her hand and bit her lip& but a hi,,up es,aped any#ay. She #anted to ,o!er her .a,e and #ail. She .elt as young . . . as lost. . . as i. she #ere Claire>s age. DBe said he li%ed /e !ery /u,h& that o. ,ourse he ,ared .or /e. Be #ent on and on& getting /ore and /ore tangled in his #ords.D She s#allo#ed& her .a,e burning. D: thin% he Aust. . . lusts .or /e&D she #hispered. D+iss PetersonCE//a.D he du,hess patted E//a>s %nee. DPlease& it is not so bad. A,tually& : thin% it is 1uite good. Bere& dry your eyes.D E//a too% the hand%er,hie. the du,hess o..eredC so/ething had happened to her o#n Cand sat ba,%. She sni..ed and hi,,upped again. >D?here did this ,on!ersation ta%e pla,e@D E//a blushed. D:n /y roo/.D D$our bed,ha/ber@D D$es. :t>s sho,%ing& : %no#& but. . .D D"o& no. :>/ not sho,%ed. :t is 1uite all right.D he du,hess s/iled. D: /et /y husband in an inn bed,ha/ber. :n bed. "a%ed.D E//a gaped. he du,hess #as an A/eri,an. Perhaps . . . no& she ,ould not i/agine that A/eri,an ,usto/s ,ould be that di..erent. he du,hess laughed. D:t #as rather a ,o/edy o. errors that led to that situation& and it too% us 1uite a #hile to sort e!erything out& but : do belie!eC#ell& :>/ a,tually happy to sayCthat Ia/es lusted a.ter /e .ro/ the !ery .irst /o/ent he sa# /e.D She blushed. DAnd he sa# 1uite a lot o. /e. And : lusted a.ter hi/& too. A littleCor a lot o.Clust is a !ery good thing& as long as it leads to /arriage& o. ,ourse.D D<ust is good@D E//a had ne!er heard her .ather prea,h that ser/on. D$es& : belie!e so& i. by lust #e /ean strong physi,al attra,tion. +arriage is a !ery physi,al relationship& you %no#.D

DOh.D E//a did not re/e/ber her o#n parents> /arriageCshe had been too young #hen her /other diedCbut +rs. Begley had alluded to %issing and& and so/ething earlier. And ,ertainly her en,ounters #ith Charles had been e0tre/ely physi,al. E//a .lushed& re/e/bering their highly physi,al en,ounter by the la%e. D$es& indeed. ?ithout the physi,al ,o/ponent& there #ould be no babies.D he du,hess grinned& putting her hand o!er her sto/a,h. D he thing to %eep in /ind& E//a& is that /en are o.ten un,o/.ortable #ith #ords. hey are /u,h better #ith a,tions.D D: don>t understand.D D?ell& #hat : /ean is& /en and #o/en are di..erent. "ot that : presu/e to be an e0pert& o. ,ourse& but : ha!e gi!en the /atter so/e thought re,ently.D D: see.D E//a s#allo#ed her disappoint/ent. She had hoped to .ind ans#ers and instead got platitudes. he du,hess laughed. D"o& : a/ not a ,o/plete #idgeon. O. ,ourse /en loo% di..erent& but #hat /any #o/en ne!er ,o/prehend is that they really are di..erent.D D: still don>t understand.D DO. ,ourse you don>t. :t>s a di..i,ult ,on,ept to grasp. : spent #ee%sC/onthsCat ,ross2 purposes #ith Ia/es be,ause : didn>t understand that.D She s/iled. D?ell& : #as also trying to di!ine the thought pro,esses o. an English peerC1uite a ,hallenge .or an A/eri,an republi,an& : assure you. : #ill ne!er understand the British syste/ o. pri/ogeniture or . . . #ell& that>s not the point& is it@D She leaned ,loser. D+en don>t thin% the #ay #e do& E//a. 3or e0a/ple& suppose another #o/an ignored you a.ter ,hur,h. : don>t /ean she ga!e you the ,ut dire,tCnothing so ob!ious as that. She Aust didn>t greet you. ?hat #ould you thin%@D E//a .ro#ned. D: suppose : /ight #onder i. : had o..ended her in so/e #ay.D DE0a,tly. $ou /ight thin% about it and #orry about it& #ondering #hat you had done.D D$es& : suppose : /ight.D he du,hess nodded. D?o/en analy-e e!ery e/otion& study e!ery a,tion& al#ays e0pe,ting there to be so/e /eaning to dedu,e. +en don>t. :>/ ,on!in,ed o. it :. a /an ignored Ia/esCnot that anyone #ouldC the toadying he has to put up #ith . . .D She sighed and shoo% her head. DAny#ay& i. a /an ignored Ia/es& Ia/es #ould si/ply assu/e the .ello# hadn>t seen hi/.D She s/iled. D:t>s 1uite re.reshing& a,tuallyC /a%es li.e so /u,h si/pler.D

E//a .ro#ned. D:>/ a.raid : still don>t see #hat that has to do #ith Charles.D D?hen you as%ed Charles i. he lo!ed you& E//a& you as%ed hi/ to analy-e #hat he .elt .or you. Be probably didn>t %no# the ans#er be,ause he had ne!er as%ed the 1uestion. Be Aust %ne# he #anted you.D he du,hess grinned. D: assu/e you #eren>t Aust sitting pri/ly in separate ,hairs ha!ing this ,on!ersation in your bed,ha/ber@D E//a blushed .uriously. D?ell& no. . . but then ho# ,an you tell i. it>s lo!e or lust a /an .eels .or you@D DE//a& you are still thin%ing li%e a #o/an. here>s probably not a di..eren,e in Charles>s /ind at the /o/ent. On,e he has satis.ied the #orst o. his lust& he>ll be able to reali-e that he lo!es you. Right no#& he>s not thin%ing #ith his head so /u,h asDCthe du,hess blushedCDso/ething else.D DSo/ething else@D D: a/ /ost ,ertain Charles #ill be delighted to tell you all about that. : a/ not 1uite bold enough to atte/pt it.D DSarah.D he du,hess turned& and a broad s/ile lit her .a,e. DO!er here& Ia/es.D E//a #at,hed the du%e approa,h. Be& too& #as s/iling& and his .a,e had the so.tened e0pression it got only #hen he loo%ed at his du,hess. But this ti/e E//a noti,ed so/ething else as #ell. he du%e>s eyes held a .a/iliar glint. She had seen it in Charles>s eyes #hen he loo%ed at her.

Chapter 12
Charles sat in his study& surrounded by /ountains o. papers. Be de.initely needed a se,retary. Be>d s#ear there #ere /ore papers no# than the last ti/e he>d sat here. ?ere they breeding@ Breeding. Be sat ba,% in his ,hair& his hands lin%ed behind his head. Bo# he #ould lo!e to be busy breeding little 5rays/iths #ith E//a. She had been e01uisite by the la%e. So responsi!e. Be had al/ost spilled his seed in his bree,hes Aust #at,hing her inno,ent passion. Be #as dying to tou,h her #ithout layers o. ,lothing bet#een the/. o .eel her s%in against hisC e!ery#here. o put hi/sel. inside her . . . Be shi.ted in his ,hair. he throbbing anti,ipation #as al/ost unbearable. Eod& #hen she>d ,o/e against his handCit had been hea!en. ?ell& purgatory& really. Bea!en #ould be ,o/ing #ith her& in her& on a lo!ely& so.t bed. Be had not handled the ti/e in her roo/ #ell& though. Be .ro#ned& ro,%ing .or#ard to put his elbo#s on his des%& running his hands through his hair. Be had done .ine until the end& until she had as%ed i. he lo!ed her. Be should ha!e anti,ipated that 1uestion& but he had not. :t had been a 1uestion he had s,rupulously a!oided .or so /any years. ?hy did #o/en ha!e to tal% o. lo!e@ ?hen he #as younger& /any o. his bed/ates had ended their sessions #ith that 1uestionCdid he lo!e the/@ :t had ruined a per.e,tly satis.a,tory ,oupling. Be had .elt trapped. hey all #anted so/ething .ro/ hi/C a pro/ise& a pretty baubleCso/ething. he ,ountry girls #anted a .e# e0tra ,oinsF the #ido#s& a /arriage proposal. hey all #anted to o#n a pie,e o. hi/& i. only a pie,e o. his heart. Be #ould not gi!e it. Be #anted no ties. Be li%ed his .reedo/ too /u,h. Be learned to play only #ith pro.essionals& #o/en #ho understood that e!erything bet#een the/ #as stri,tly physi,alC#ell& and .inan,ial& o. ,ourse. ?o/en #ho understood the rules. E/otion& beyond satis.a,tion and perhaps so/e .riendship& did not enter into bed play. But this #asn>t bed play& #as it@ his #as /arriage. 3a/ily. Children. A line to ,ontinue. Odd. Sin,e he>d ta%en su,h a distin,t interest in E//a& the title didn>t #eigh on hi/ any/ore. he ,rushing depression he>d al#ays .elt #hen he thought o. being tied to Knightsdale #as gone. :nstead he .elt. . . anti,ipation.

Be,ause o. E//a. :. that anony/ous :talian thie. had not shot Paul and Ce,ilia in the :talian Alps& sending their ,arriage splintering do#n the /ountainside& he #ould not ha!e ,o/e ba,% to Knightsdale and .ound E//a Peterson all gro#n up. hatCnot %no#ing a treasure su,h as E//a li!ed in KentC#ould ha!e been the tragedy o. his li.e. :. his brother appeared on the doorstep today& he #ould be happy to see hi/. Be #ould gladly hand ba,% all his duties and lea!e& but he #ould ta%e E//a #ith hi/& i. he ,ould. ?ell& and he #ould share #ith Paul his thoughts ,on,erning the proper upbringing o. young girls be.ore he le.t. 5id he lo!e E//a@ :. lo!e #as this ,onsu/ing need that hu//ed through hi/ e!ery /o/ent o. the day and nightCespe,ially the nightCand al/ost o!er#hel/ed hi/ #hene!er he #as near herCyes& he lo!ed her. Be had to ha!e her in his bedCnot Aust on,e but e!ery day. Se!eral ti/es a day. :n se!eral di..erent #ays. Bis lips slid into a slo# s/ile. Be #ould so enAoy tea,hing her the pleasures o. the /arriage bed. And he #ould learn a .e# pleasures hi/sel.. Be ,ould bury hi/sel. in her and let his seed .lo# into her #o/b #ith no need .or a ,ondo/ or #ithdra#al. She #as a !irgin and .ertile. Be #as supposed to gi!e her ,hildren. Be #anted to #at,h her gro# round and hea!y #ith his babes. Be #anted to #at,h the/ nurse at her breast. Be #anted to raise :sabelle and Claire #ith her. Be #anted to #a%e #ith her head on the pillo# by his e!ery /orning. Be #anted to gro# old and #rin%led #ith her& to %no# her body as #ell or better than his o#n. Be grinned. $es& he lo!ed her. Be #ould tell her& and then he #ould gi!e her the Knightsdale betrothal ring. Be #ould get it no#. :t #as in the sa.e here in the study. he thie. had not stolen itCit had still been on Ce,ilia>s .inger #hen her body had been returned to England. Be .ro#ned. he soli,itor had not been able to tell hi/ #hat e0a,tly had been stolen& yet the /an had insisted an :talian thie. had ,aused the deaths. Paul& Ce,ilia& all their ser!ants had been %illed. here #ere no #itnesses. Crandt& the soli,itor& had relied on :talian in!estigators #ho had e0a/ined the a,,ident s,ene. All the baggage had been torn apart as i. the thie. #ere sear,hing .or so/ething. E!en the ,oa,hes> seatsCthose that had sur!i!ed the .all o.. the /ountainChad been slashed and the padding ripped out. ?hy@ Bad Paul turned s/uggler@ ?as he ,arrying state se,rets@ Charles had not been able to dis,o!er anything in <ondon. Be had gi!en up trying. ?hat #as the purpose@ Paul #as dead. Be opened the sa.e. All the .a/ily Ae#els #ere there. ?ell& /aybe not all. Be ,hu,%led as he too% out the betrothal ring and slipped it in his po,%et. he su//er he #as se!enCit

#as be.ore E//a /o!ed to KnightsdaleCEreat28n,le Randall had ,o/e to !isit. Be and Paul had pretended the /an #as a pirate. hey>d spent the su//er digging around the estate& sear,hing .or hidden Ae#els and gold doubloons. Ereat28n,le Randall had probably laughed hi/sel. silly #hen he>d been sober enough to noti,e. Be ,losed the sa.e. Still& it /ight ha!e been true. Randall had a ra..ish 1uality to hi/. he s,ulptor #ho had .ashioned the bust o. hi/ that su//er had ,aptured it #ell. Charles grinned as he le.t the study. Perhaps he #ould tell the girls the story. Be #ould #ager Claire #ould lo!e to go treasure hunting. E!ery ti/e E//a loo%ed at Charles during dinner& he #as loo%ing ba,% at her. :t #as e0tre/ely dis,on,erting. She pushed a 3ren,h bean around her plate and tried to listen to S1uire Begley dis,uss his hunting dogs. She ,ouldn>t loo% at hi/ #ithout re,alling his #i.e>s ,on!ersation earlier. She ,ouldn>t loo% at his #aist #ithout blushing. She %ept her attention .ir/ly on his .a,e. Bis lips. he S1uire and +rs. Begley %issing@ And snuggling& #hate!er that /eant. :t ,ouldn>t /ean #hat Charles had done #ith her& ,ould it@ E//a s,ooted her bean under a ,abbage lea.. She had 1uite lost interest in eating. She turned to address a 1uestion to +r. 3ra/pton on her other side. +r. 3ra/pton responded enthusiasti,ally& displaying a signi.i,ant 1uantity o. /asti,ated /utton .or her inspe,tion. She returned her attention to her 3ren,h beans. Could the 5u,hess o. Al!ord be ,orre,t@ ?as it possible that Charles did ,are .or her@ She glan,ed at hi/ again. Be #as listening to <ady Ba!er.ord& his head tilted politely to#ard the older #o/an& but #hen he noti,ed E//a loo%ing at hi/& he ga!e her a slo# s/ile that ,aused the /ost a/a-ing ,reases in his right ,hee%. Oh& /y. E//a>s eyes retreated to her plate on,e /ore. She #as eager .or the ne0t ,ourse& i. only so she>d ha!e a ,hange in s,enery. Charles had that glint in his ,lear blue eyes again. And that . . . .o,used loo%& as i. there #ere no one else in the roo/ but herCas i.& .or that instant& <ady Ba!er.ord had ,eased to e0ist. DEentle/en&D <ady Beatri,e said as the s#eets #ere set on the table& D: propose you dispense #ith your port this e!ening and Aoin us ladies in the dra#ing roo/ i//ediately a.ter dinner .or a ga/e o. ,harades.D his announ,e/ent #as /et #ith groans .ro/ all sides o. the table. D"ot ,harades& <ady Bea&D the Earl o. ?estbroo%e said. DBa!e pity& please.D

he 5u%e o. Al!ord laughed. D"o#& ?estbroo%e& :>d #ager there>s a .rustrated a,tor so/e#here in that soul o. yours.D D?ell& you>d lose& Al!ord. : hate a,ting& and : hate guessing e!en /ore.D DAunt&D Charles said& Dour goal is to entertain& not torture our guests.D D?ell& : lo!e ,harades& <ady Beatri,e.D +iss Pelha/ leaned .or#ard to address Charles>s aunt at the other end o. the table. D:>/ 1uite good at the/& so : #ould be happy to be on <ord ?estbroo%e>s tea/.D he young lady batted her eyelashes .uriously in <ord ?estbroo%e>s dire,tion. <ord ?estbroo%e>s .a,e assu/ed a hunted e0pression. E//a glan,ed at +eg& #ho rolled her eyes and tilted her head& gesturing up the table to <ady Eli-abeth. <i--ie& bro#s .urro#ed& /outh in a tight line& #as s,o#ling at +iss Pelha/. D?e>ll play& #on>t #e& Ra,hel@D +iss Esther 3arthington ,hirped .ro/ +r. +a0#ell>s le.t. D:ndeed yes& but only i. #e are on di..erent tea/s&D +iss Ra,hel said .ro/ +r. +a0#ell>s right. +r. +a0#ell ,ontinued #or%ing his #ay through the s#eet tray so/e un#ary .oot/an had set #ithin the old /an>s rea,h. D?e .ight #hen #e are on the sa/e tea/&D +iss Esther ,on.ided to the table at large. DCan>t agree on anything.D DArgue terribly.D D+u,h better to separate us.D he 3arthington t#ins s/iled geniallyCand identi,allyCat the ,o/pany. he ,o/pany goggled ba,%. >$es& #ell&D <ady Beatri,e said& brea%ing the stupe.ied silen,e& Di. e!eryone is 1uite .inished here& #e should adAourn to the dra#ing roo/. +r. +a0#ell& +r. +a0#ell&D <ady Beatri,e shouted in an atte/pt to get the /an>s attention. D?e are going to do ,harades no#.D DParades@ 5on>t li%e parades. 5o li%e these little ,a%es. Eot any /ore@D

D"o.D <ady Beatri,e stood& putting an end to any .urther dis,ussion& and led the ladies into the dra#ing roo/. he /en .ollo#ed& gru/bling. D: shall assign the tea/sClet>s see& ho# /any o. us are there@D <ady Beatri,e loo%ed around the roo/. DCan>t ,ount +a0#ell&D Charles said in E//a>s ear. DBe>ll be snoring the /o/ent he settles into his ,hair.D DCharles& ,an>t you bring your aunt to heel@D <ord ?estbroo%e /uttered behind the/. DCharadesCgood EodGD D he t#ins loo% !ery happy to be parti,ipating&D E//a said. <ord ?estbroo%e snorted. D hey #ould.D D$ou heard +iss Pelha/& Robbie&D Charles said. DShe>s an e0pert. She>s delighted to gi!e you all the help you need.D DAs i. that #ill i/pro!e the e0perien,e. : thin% she>s de,ided she ,an>t sna..le you& Charles& so she>s set her eyes on /e. :>!e been dodging her all day. Bad to enlist <i--ie>s aid in de.ending /ysel. at the Pantheon this a.ternoonCshe and +eg %ept /e ,o/pany so dear +iss Pelha/ ,ouldn>t ,orner /e and yell ,o/pro/ise.D DSurely it is not as bad as that& <ord ?estbroo%e.D D:ndeed it is as bad as that& +iss Peterson. ?hy are #e so .or/al these days@ $ou ,ertainly #eren>t >/y lording> /e #hen Charles here .ished you out o. the strea/ that day a .e# years ago.D DA .e# years ago@ : #as only si0 and you tripped /e.D D: did not. +y .oot #as per.e,tly !isibleC: ,an>t help it i. you stu/bled o!er it& ,an :@D D$our .oot #as not per.e,tly !isible until you stu,% it in .ront o. /y .eet.D DChildren&D Charles said& Dyou #ill gi!e up this argu/ent so/e day& #on>t you@ Or #ill you still be s1uabbling about it #hen you are the 3arthingtons> age@D DOh& : don>t %no#Cit>s so a/using to ru..le E//a>s .eathers.D E//a opened her /outh to protest but stopped #hen she sa# the laughter in Robbie>s eyes. DShall : apologi-e& .inally& +iss Peterson@ Shall : sayCAust to be a gentle/an& o. ,ourse Cthat it #as all /y .ault@D

Be #as teasing her. All these years& she had been harboring a grudge& thin%ing he #as doing the sa/eCand he had been teasing her. Be enAoyed the !erbal sparring. Be thought it #as .un. She let her breath out and s/iled. Bad she been too serious@ Perhaps. Arguing o!er a /inor ,hildhood e!ent #as ridi,ulous. She grinned. DOh& please& don>t start no#Cespe,ially Aust to be a gentle/an.D Robbie pretended to #ipe his bro#. D?ell& that>s a relie.. :>/ ,ertain the strain o. being a gentle/an #ould be too /u,h .or /y poor heart to sustain.D D5e.initely too /u,h&D Charles said. D<ord ?estbroo%eGD <ady Beatri,e #a!ed her hand at Robbie. DStop trying to hide o!er there. $ou #ill be #ith +r. Oldston& +iss Ra,hel 3arthington& +iss +argaret Peterson& <ady Eli-abeth& +iss 3ra/pton& and +iss Pelha/.D DOh& Eod&D Robbie /uttered. D:>/ not lea!ing this roo/ unless : ha!e +eg on one side and <i--ie on the other. Prote,tion. : need prote,tion.D E//a ,hu,%led. DAre you also in need o. prote,tion& <ord Knightsdale@ $ou are a bigger ,at,h than Robbie.D Charles sighed. DE//a& /y dear& #hy do you ,ontinue to ,all /e <ord Knightsdale@ $ou #ere able to say >Robbie> !ery ni,ely. :n .a,t& : ha!e heard /y na/e on your lips be.ore.D Be dropped his !oi,e and leaned ,loser. D: thin% :>!e tasted /y na/e on your lips.D D?e are in a publi, .oru/& /y lord. Beha!e yoursel..D DSo #hen #e are in a pri!ate lo,ation& : don>t need to beha!e@D E//a turned red& re/e/bering in e01uisite detail their en,ounter by the la%e. DB//&D Charles said. D$ou loo% a little .lushed& s#eetheart. Are you perhaps thin%ing o. our en,ounter this /orning@ : a,tually did beha!e /ysel. then& E//a. Belie!e /e.D D+y lord& ho# ,an you say so@D DBe,ause : %no# e0a,tly #hat : #ould ha!e done i. : had not beha!ed. : e0erted e0tre/e sel.2,ontrol then& as : did later in your roo/. ?e need to tal%& /y lo!e.D E//a dre# in her breath. 5id he /ean so/ething parti,ular by those #ords@ he glint in his eye #as /ost pronoun,ed.

DCharles& stop #hispering in +iss Peterson>s ear and ,o/e here&D <ady Beatri,e said. E//a ,losed her eyes& #ishing #hen she opened the/ again& she /ight .ind hersel. alone in her bed,ha/ber. "o. ?hen she opened her eyes& <ady Beatri,e #as gesturing to her. DCo/e on. Charles& you and +iss Peterson #ill Aoin +r. Sto,%ley& +r. 3ra/pton& +iss Esther 3arthington& +iss Oldston& and +iss Ba!er.ord.D D?hy doesn>t Al!ord ha!e to play@D Robbie had /anaged to put a settee bet#een hi/ and +iss Pelha/. D: belie!e us old #edded .ol% are e0,used& ?estbroo%e.D he du%e grinned& sitting do#n ne0t to his #i.e. DSu,h Aolli.i,ations are reser!ed .or the unatta,hed.D > hat>s ridi,ulous. S1uire& #hat about you@ ?ould you li%e to Aoin in@D D"o& no& ?estbroo%e. Juite ,ontent to #at,h. :>ll be ,heering .or you& though.D DAnd +iss Russell@ Surely you #ould li%e to parti,ipate@D DOh& no& /y lord. "o& than% you& no.D Robbie loo%ed around the roo/. D+r. +a0#ell@D A snore #as +r. +a0#ell>s reply. D?hat did : tell you@D Charles /ur/ured to E//a. DStop stalling& sir.D <ady Beatri,e handed Robbie a slip o. paper. D$ou and +iss Pelha/ CD E//a ,o!ered her /outh to hide her grin at Robbie>s e0pression. o ,all it a glare #ould ha!e been too %ind. <ady Beatri,e appeared to noti,e& too. She paused and stared at Robbie be.ore she ,ontinued. DAnd <ady Eli-abeth and +r. Oldston /ay a,t it outD DShall #e sit& +iss Peterson@ his /ay pro!e to be /ore entertaining than the best 5rury <ane .ar,e.D E//a let Charles lead her o!er to a settee. +r. Sto,%ley too% his pla,e on one end Aust be.ore they rea,hed it. DPlease& Aoin /e& +iss Peterson.D +r. Sto,%ley patted the pla,e ne0t to hi/.

o ignore the in!itation #ould be rude. E//a per,hed on the edge o. the seat as .ar .ro/ +r. Sto,%ley as she ,ould get& #hi,h #as not .ar enough. :t #as a !ery s/all settee. She #as pleased to see the /an #in,e as the seat shi.ted under hi/. Prinny had le.t his /ar%. +r. Sto,%ley #ould thin% t#i,e be.ore #iggling his eyebro#s at her again. Be /ight also thin% t#i,e sin,e Charles #as glaring at hi/ .ro/ an adAoining ,hair. Robbie had handed +iss Pelha/ the slip o. paper& .olded his ar/s& and ta%en up a spot against the /antle. +iss Pelha/ and +r. Oldston began a heated #hispering e0,hangeF <i--ie listened .or a .e# /inutes and then #ent to stand #ith Robbie. DAh& +iss Peterson.D +r. Sto,%ley glan,ed at Charles as he leaned o!er to #hisper to E//a. DAbout this a.ternoonCou,h.D E//a s/iled. DBa!e you hurt yoursel.& +r. Sto,%ley@D DSlightly. "othing to be ,on,erned about.D E//a #ished Prinny #ere nearby. She #as ,ertain he ,ould be persuaded to ta%e a larger sa/pling o. +r. Sto,%ley>s person. D his a.ternoon@D Charles>s .ro#n ,aused a deep .urro# bet#een his bro#s. D?eren>t you at the Pantheon this a.ternoon& Sto,%ley@D Sto,%ley startled and #in,ed again as his #eight shi.ted on his inAured ba,%side. D$es& /y lord& : #as .or a #hile.D D: en,ountered +r. Sto,%ley e0a/ining the pi,tures in the long gallery& /y lord.D E//a loo%ed at +r. Sto,%ley. DHery thoroughly.D DConnoisseur& Sto,%ley@D DBardly& /y lord. A student& /erely. Al#ays sear,hing .or . . . %no#ledge.D E//a blin%ed and e0a/ined +r. Sto,%ley /ore ,losely. he /ena,ing note she had heard in his !oi,e that a.ternoon had reappeared. DReally@D here #as an edge to Charles>s !oi,e as #ell. D:>d be e0tre/ely ,are.ul #hat sort o. %no#ledge you pursue& espe,ially i. it in!ol!es +iss Peterson in any #ay.D E//a blin%ed again. Charles #as al/ost gro#ling& li%e a dog #ith its ha,%les raised. DRapeGD

E//a>s head s#i!eled ba,% to the ,harades players. +iss Ra,hel 3arthington #as boun,ing on her seat& shouting. +r. Oldston had his ar/s around +iss Pelha/& #ho #as struggling #ildly. Robbie and <i--ie #ere holding their sides& laughing. D?hat the de!il. . . @D Charles started .or#ard& but +r. Oldston let +iss Pelha/ go. :n .a,t& both he and she #ere ,rou,hed in .ront o. +iss Ra,hel& s/iling and en,ouraging her. Charles .ro#ned at <ady Beatri,e. DAunt& you didn>t. . . you ne!er had the/ a,t out he Rape o. the Sabine ?o/en@D D+y lord&D +iss Pelha/ said& ,learly annoyed& Dyou ha!e gi!en it a#ayGD E//a slipped up to her roo/ as soon as she ,ould. Charades had not been a su,,ess. Charles had e0a/ined the paper slips to see #hat other tides his aunt had planned .or the ,o/pany and had de,lared the/ all unsuitable. <ady Beatri,e had obAe,ted& and the t#o o. the/ had stepped into the hall to dis,uss the /atter. he /o/ent the train on <ady Beatri,e>s /ulberry and orange go#n ,leared the threshold& the /en es,aped to the billiard roo/. By the ti/e <ady Beatri,e and Charles returned& the ,o/pany #as se!erely depleted. 8n.ortunately& +r. Sto,%ley had not le.t. Be %ept ho!ering near E//a& #hi,h enraged Charles. E//a did not li%e +r. Sto,%ley& but she .ound she li%ed ,onstant argu/entation e!en less. By Charles>s .i.th ,utting re/ar%& she had the beginnings o. a heada,he. "o# she ,ould not .ind her nightgo#n. She loo%ed through the #ardrobe one /ore ti/e& not that there #as any ,han,e she ,ould ha!e o!erloo%ed it. She had little enough ,lothingCthere #as no pla,e .or an errant nightgo#n to hide. :t #as de.initely not in the #ardrobe. ?ell& she #as not going to sleep in her dress. She #ould spend the night in her shi.t. At least her hairbrush had not gone #andering again. She sat at her dressing table and began ta%ing her hair do#n. She glan,ed at the door ,onne,ting her roo/ to Charles>s. Bo# had her brush ended up a/ong his papers@ Could her nightgo#n be there no#@ he thought /ade her s%in bloo/ a .iery red. She #ouldn>t need her nightgo#n to stay #ar/ tonight. E!en her shi.t #as too #ar/ at the /o/ent. She stared at hersel. in the /irror& a #i,%ed thought lodged in her /ind. ?hat i. she didn>t #ear her shi.t tonight@ ?hat i. she slept #ith Aust the bedsheets ,o!ering her@ "o one #ould e!er %no#. Ber s%in began to tingle in a /ost unusual #ay.

She #as t#enty2si0 years old. A gro#n #o/an. :. she ,hose to pran,e around her bed,ha/ber as bare as the day she #as born& #ho ,ould obAe,t@ She didn>t e!en ha!e a /aid to be s,andali-ed. She stood and pulled o.. her shi.t be.ore she lost her ner!e. he night air ,aused goose bu/ps to pri,%le along her ar/sCand her nipples to harden into little pebbles. She plopped ba,% into her ,hair. he sil% ,o!ering .elt ,ool against her botto/Cslightly slippery& s/ooth but #ith the barest hint o. roughness. She shi!ered& sitting straighter. She pi,%ed up her brush& ,on,entrating on pulling it through her long& ,urly hair. At .irst she loo%ed ahead& staring ba,% into her o#n eyes& trying to ignore the rest o. her re.le,tion as i. she #ould be turned to stone should she let hersel. loo% at her o#n body. She didn>t need to loo%. She .elt. She ,losed her eyes& ,on,entrating on the ne# sensationsCthe .ire #ar/ing her s%inF her hair sliding o!er her shoulders& ,aressing her breasts& teasing her nipplesF the . . . .reedo/ o. her body as it /o!ed though the air un2 ,on.ined by the slightest tou,h o. ,loth. Ber breasts .elt larger& /ore sensiti!e& their nipples a,hing. Another part o. her #as a,hing& too. he .eelings #ere al/ost too intense. She gasped& opening her eyes. She sa# ,urly& dar% blond hair and gli/pses o. s%in re.le,ted in her /irror. She gathered the hea!y /ass o. hair in her hands and held it up so she ,ould loo% at hersel.. She #at,hed her breasts li.t #ith her ar/s. hey #ere large& golden in the .irelight& nipples round and unbearably hard. She %ne# /en li%ed her boso/. She had not gro#n up in a ,on!entCshe had ,aught /ore than one .ello# eyeing her bodi,e. She did not ,are to be ogled. She ,hose dresses #ith high ne,%s as be.itted the daughter o. a !i,ar. She glan,ed at the #ardrobe. ?ell& the blue satin ball go#n #as the one e0,eption& and she had ne!er #orn it outside the .itting roo/. ?ould she ha!e the ,ourage to #ear it to the house party ball@ ?ould Charles li%e it@ he bodi,e #as so s/all& it #ould ta%e hi/ but a /o/ent to ha!e it do#n around her #aist. She let her hair .all. She hesitated& then too% her breasts in her hands& li.ting the/& .eeling their #eight. Charles had done this the night he>d brushed her hair& but she>d had her nightgo#n on then. Be>d had his .ingers on her bare s%in by the la%e. Be>d seen her ,learly in the /orning light. Be had put his /outh& his tongue on her nipples. She .elt a #etness bet#een her legs and leapt o.. the ,hair. She did not #ant to stain the beauti.ul sil% seat She eyed her dis,arded shi.t. She #as /ore than #ar/ enough. She #ould lea!e it. She ,li/bed into bed& re/o!ed her spe,ta,les& and snu..ed the ,andle.

She ,ould not get ,o/.ortable. ?here be.ore her breasts had been sensiti!e& no# her entire body #as throbbing. :. she stret,hed out on her ba,%& she .elt the sheets rub against her nipples and her botto/. She spread her legs& and need pulsed deep bet#een the/. A hollo#ness& a hunger& ,onsu/ed her. She turned to her side& but the throbbing #ould not go a#ay. On her sto/a,h #as e!en #orseCshe #anted to rub hersel. against the bed. She .elt so hot& she #as burning. 3e!erish. :. she tou,hed hersel. #here she /ost a,hed& #here Charles had tou,hed her& #ould that ,ure her@ "o. She ,ould not do that. :t #as too sho,%ingC though ho# anything ,ould be too sho,%ing to a #anton old /aid li%e hersel.& #rithing na%ed in her bed& #as debatable. Still& she %ept her hands sa.ely tu,%ed under her pillo# and tried to sleep. She do-ed. She drea/ed o. Charles na%ed by the la%e. O. his shoulders. he /us,les in his upper ar/s. Bis ,hest& the sprin%ling o. light bro#n ,urls trailing do#n to his na!el and the to#el Aust belo#. And thenC She #o%e up& .rustrated. Ber i/agination ,ould not supply the details o. #hat that to#el had hidden. A.ter the .i.th or si0th ti/e she>d Aer%ed a#a%e& she ga!e up. Perhaps i. she put on her shi.t& she #ould da/pen the .ire raging through her. She #as rea,hing .or her spe,ta,les #hen she heard a ,rea% and then a s,raping sound. She sat up& pulling the ,o!ers high. So/ething #as /o!ing on the other side o. the roo/. So/ething #hite #as e/erging .ro/ the #all. . . . She tried to drag air into her lungs. She s,rea/ed as loudly as she ,ould& #hi,h did not sound !ery loud at all to her. hen she do!e under the ,o!ers and began her prayers li%e the good !i,ar>s daughter she on,e #as and pro/ised to be again i. only she li!ed through the night.

Chapter 13
Charles put aside his boo%. Be had read the sa/e page at least t#enty ti/es. Be .inally a,%no#ledged that he #as not going to /a%e sense o. it tonight. ?hat the hell had Sto,%ley been doing #ith E//a in the long gallery this a.ternoon@ And he>d been bu--ing around her all e!ening as #ell. At least E//a had gi!en no indi,ation that she enAoyed the /an>s attentions. She>d bloody #ell better not enAoy the/. She #as his. Be Aust needed to get her to a,%no#ledge that .a,t. Be loo%ed at the ,onne,ting door again. Eod& he #ould lo!e to go in to her no#. Be needed to see her. o tal% to her. o hold her. o . . . Charles shi.ted position. Be #ould ha!e to go .or another dip in the la%e. Be #ould ne!er get any sleep in his ,urrent state o. arousal. Bell& he #asn>t e!en ,ertain he ,ould get his bree,hes buttoned. Be had to persuade E//a to /arry hi/ be.ore a ,ertain organ e0plodedCand #ith it all hopes .or the ,ontinuation o. the 5rays/ith line. Be sat up and s#ung his legs out o. bed& #in,ing. Be had ne!er been in this pain.ul a state. Be had to get relie. soon. here #ere a,,o//odating #o/en at the lo,al inn. "an #ould ta%e ,are o. hi/Che had used her be.ore. But he didn>t #ant to !isit the Ereen +an. :n truth& the thought o. ta%ing any #o/an other than E//a to bed #as not the least bit te/pting. "o& it #ould ha!e to be the la%e. E//a had ruined hi/. :. she #ouldn>t /arry hi/& he #as .a,ing a long& un,o/.ortable li.e #ith /any no,turnal s#i/s. Be #as rea,hing .or his bree,hes #hen he heard an odd noise .ro/ E//a>s roo/. Be .ro-e& heart pounding. Be had heard su,h a /u..led noise be.ore& during the #ar. ?o/en #ho #ere too terri.ied to .ill their lungs to s,rea/ properly /ade su,h a noise. Be surged o.. his bed& ignoring his bree,hes and grabbing the ,andlesti,% instead. Be needed to see the ene/yCand the hea!y brass ,andlesti,% #ould put a ni,e dent in a /an>s head i. ne,essary. Be sho!ed the ,onne,ting door open& holding the ,andle high. "o one. Be sear,hed the entire roo/. Be sa# no one& not e!en E//a. Be ,a/e ,loser to the bed. here #as a large lu/p in the ,enter under the bed,lothes. Cautiously& he grabbed a ,orner o. the blan%ets and stripped the/ o.. in one 1ui,% /otion. Be had .ound E//a. She #as ,rou,hed into a ball& her head buried in her hands& her glorious hair spread around her and her lo!ely& #hite& so.t& na%ed botto/ in the air.

Eod& he #as panting. E//a dre# in a breath and Aer%ed up& t#isting to .a,e hi/. Be ,ouldn>t e!en pant. Be ,ouldn>t breathe. Be #at,hed her .ull breasts /o!e #ith her body& and his /outh #ent as dry as another part o. hi/ gre# hard. Be had seen her boso/ by the la%e& but this #as so /u,h better. Bis eyes tra,ed the long line o. her ne,%& her deli,ate ,ollarbone& the e01uisite s#eep o. her /il%y2#hite breasts& her slender ribs. DE//a@D he ,roa%ed. DCharles@D She rea,hed .or her spe,ta,les. D$ou>re na%ed.D D8/& so are you& s#eetheart.D Eod& her eyes had dropped .ro/ his .a,e. hey #ere staring at the /ost ob!iously /ale part o. hi/. Hery ob!ious& !ery /ale at the /o/ent. D:s that #hat #as under the to#el this /orning@D >$es.D Charles bit ba,% a slightly hysteri,al laugh. D: usually ,arry it #ith /e.D DBut ho# does it .it into your bree,hes@D D:t ,ollapses .or storage.D Charles put the ,andlesti,% ,are.ully on the bedside table. Be s#allo#ed again& his !oi,e sha%ing slightly. D?ould you li%e to tou,h it@D E//a hesitated& ,learly ,urious. D+ay :@D DPlease.D She ,autiously rea,hed out her hand. Be #at,hed her s/all .ingers ,o/e ,loser. Be ,losed his eyes .or a /o/ent as he .elt their butter.ly tou,h. :t #as hea!en& but too .leeting. D5o all /en ha!e su,h . . . su,h appendages@D Eod& he #as going to spill his seed Aust hearing her tal%. D$es& s#eetheart. :t>s an i/portant part o. /a%ing babies. ?ould you li%e to tou,h it again@ : pro/ise you #on>t hurt /e.D Burt hi/& no. +a%e hi/ insane #ith lust& de.initely.

Ber hand ,a/e out again. his ti/e she let her .ingers e0plore& tra,ing the length o. hi/& ,ir,ling his #idth& e!en .ondling the sa,%s that hung bet#een his legs. Be /o!ed to gi!e her /ore roo/ to e0plore& spreading his legs slightly. Be grabbed the bedpost tightly& biting his lip. S#eat tri,%led do#n his ba,%. Be #as going to spontaneously ,o/bust& he had no doubt o. it. Be only hoped he #ould get the opportunity to bury hi/sel. in E//a>s body be.ore he did so. D?hen : do this& it /o!es by itsel.&D E//a said& stro%ing hi/. Be did leap in her pal/. Be ,len,hed his teeth& sa!oring the #a!es o. pleasure that rippled .ro/ her hand. D:t>s so hard and s/ooth& but the tip is so.t and& and da/p.D Ber .inger spread his /oisture o!er hi/ and he Aer%ed in her hand again. She giggled& /o!ing her .ingers up to the thi,% nest o. ,urls at his base. DAnd the hair here is e!en ,urlier than the hair on your head.D Be grunted and she pulled her hand ba,%. DAre you sure :>/ not hurting you@D D$es. : a/ ,o/pletely ,ertain.D Eod& did he shudder #hen he said that@ Be ,leared his throat. DCo/pletely ,ertain.D D$our !oi,e sounds .unny.D Be,ause he #as /indless #ith lust. Bis %nees #ere going to gi!e out. Be s#ore he #as going to ,ollapse on the bedCa !ery good ideaCbut .irst there #as so/ething he had to get .ro/ his roo/. DE//a.D Charles #as delighted his brain #as still ,apable o. .or/ulating a ,oherent thought. DStay e0a,tlyCe0a,tlyC#here you are. 5o not /o!e. At all. : #ill be ba,% in a /o/ent. S#ear to /e you #ill not /o!e.D D?ell. . .D E//a .lushed and rea,hed .or the bed,lothes. Ber hand .lopped around on the na%ed bed. D?here are the blan%ets@D D:>ll get the/Clater. $ou don>t need the/ no#. : pro/ise you. hey are totally unne,essary. Super.luous. Annoying& e!en. $ou are per.e,t the #ay you are. 5on>t /o!e. Please.D She let out a short little breath. DHery #ell.D DEood. Splendid. ?onder.ul. Stay still.D Charles ba,%ed to the door& %eeping his eyes on E//a. She did not /o!e. :n .a,t& she %ept her eyes on the /ost pro/inent part o. hi/. Be ,ould .eel it be,o/ing yet /ore

pro/inent. Surely there #as a li/it to its gro#th@ Be #as a,hing al/ost unbearably already. Be too% a 1ui,% breath. A,hing& yes& but not .or /u,h longer. Surely he #ould .ind relie. tonight. :. he didn>t& he #ould die. :t #as the truth. :. he didn>t slide into her #ar/& tight body be.ore another day da#ned& he #ould . . . he #ould . . . he didn>t %no# #hat he #ould do& but it #ould not be good. At the !ery least he #ould ,ry. +ore li%e he #ould run ho#ling through the halls o. Knightsdale ,o/pletely& utterly /ad. DRe/e/ber . . . stay right there&D he said as he rea,hed the threshold to his roo/. D5o not /o!e.D :t #ould ta%e only a se,ond to get the betrothal ring. Be %ne# e0a,tly #here it #as. Be #ould ha!e it on her .inger in a /o/ent. And then he #ould ha!e his body in hersCbut not in a /o/ent. "o. :t #as her .irst ti/e. Be #ould ta%e /any& /any /o/ents. Be #ould #ait until she begged hi/ to .inish it. :. he ,ould #ait that long. Sadly& he #as not ,ertain o. his staying po#er in this parti,ular instan,e. Be had been able to last as long as ne,essary in e!ery en,ounter but his .irstCit #as a point o. pride. But tonight. . . Be .eared he #ould be e/barrassed tonight. Be ,ouldn>tChe ,ouldn>t .ail .or E//a>s sa%e& but she a..e,ted hi/ so /u,h /ore than any o. the others. :t #as al/ost as i. he #ere ,onte/plating an entirely di..erent a,t& an a,t he had ne!er per.or/ed be.ore. D5on>t /o!e&D he said one last ti/e. She raised her hand to push her hair o.. her .a,e. Ber breasts li.ted and s#ayed #ith the /o!e/ent. So beauti.ul. D:>ll be right ba,%.D Be #ould die& he #ould literally e0pire on the spot& i. she suddenly re/e/bered she #as a proper English /iss. E//a #at,hed Charles ba,% to#ard the door. he& u/& po%ey part o. hi/ #as the oddest thing she had e!er seen. :t stu,% straight out .ro/ his body and bobbed a bit as he #al%ed. Be had ,learly #anted her to tou,h it& but he had a,ted li%e he #as in pain #hen she did. :t had .elt so oddChard and so.t& hot and s/ooth. ?hat ,ould he possibly need in his roo/@ ?hat #as she thin%ing@ Be #as probably going to get a #eapon. Be had ,o/e in ans#er to her s,rea/& hadn>t he@ :t #as Aust the sho,% o. seeing her na%ed . . .

<udG She grabbed again .or the ,o!ers. ?here #ere they@ She ,ra#led to the botto/ o. the bed and sa# the/ lying on the .loor. D$ou pro/ised you #ouldn>t /o!e.D She Aer%ed her head up. Charles stood in the door#ay& Aust as na%ed as he>d been #hen he>d le.t. DBut :>/ not ,o/plaining.D Be s/iled. Bis eyes glo#ed. D hat is a !ery .et,hing pose& s#eetheart.D <ud& she #as up on her hands and %nees& e!ery in,h o. her e0posed .or his e0a/ination. She .lopped .lat on the bed. Be ,hu,%led and #al%ed ,loser. D$ou still don>t ha!e any ,lothes on&D she /u/bled into the /attress. he ,ool sheets .elt good against her burning ,hee%s. DCorre,t. : don>t .oresee a need .or ,lothes in the i//ediate .uture. :n .a,t& :>/ hoping that they #ill be !ery /u,h in the #ay.D +er,y. She .elt his broad hand stro%e do#n her spine .ro/ her ne,% to her botto/. he /attress shi.ted& then she .elt both his hands /o!e do#n her ba,%. Ber .ront began to throb. She buried her .a,e deeper in the bed. Bis hands #ere s%irting her sides no#& brushing against her breasts& dipping bet#een her thighs. She spread her legs. She had to .ight hersel. to %eep .ro/ li.ting her body up so his hands ,ould slide underneath her. D?here>s your #eapon@D She gasped as one o. his .ingers tra,ed the ,le.t bet#een her butto,%s. D?hat #eapon@D She /oaned. Bis hands s%i//ed her thighs& so ,lose to #here she #anted the/. DA/ : hurting you& s#eetheart@D She heard the laughter in his !oi,e. D"o&D she panted. She #as not going to let hi/ distra,t her any longer. D:sn>t that #hy you #ent ba,% to your roo/& to get a #eapon@ $ou did ,o/e in here be,ause : s,rea/ed& didn>t you@D D hat>s right& : did.D Bis hands le.t her body. She al/ost ,ried. he bed shi.ted again and he appeared be.ore her. Bis po%ey thing #as pointing at her& as i. it #anted to be petted again. She grabbed the sheets to %eep .ro/ rea,hing .or it. >D?hat e0a,tly #as : supposed to res,ue you .ro/& E//a@ : don>t see anything threatening.D

She li.ted her head. She had to ad/it that there #as nothing in the roo/ at the /o/ent. D: sa# so/ething o!er there.D She gestured #ith her ,hin. DSo/ething #hite& ,o/ing out o. that #all.D DCo/ing out o. the #all@ Can you be a little /ore spe,i.i,@D E//a .lushed. D?ell& : didn>t ha!e /y spe,ta,les on at the ti/e.D DAh& another ghost li%e the one "anny sa#.D D"o. ?ell& :>/ sure : sa# so/ething. . . .D E//a #as al/ost ,ertainCbut #hat ,ould it ha!e been@ DBere@D Charles had a !ery ni,e ba,%. +us,les .le0ed and rippled as he ran his hands o!er the #all. D:s this #here you thought you sa# your ghost& E//a@D D$es.D Bis body tapered .ro/ his broad shoulders do#n to his sli/ #aist and /us,led butto,%s. She had had her hands on that part o. hi/ in the ,onser!atory. Be>d had bree,hes on then. ?hat #ould his . . . #hat #ould those .eel li%e #ithout bree,hes@ D: don>t see anything& E//a.D D8/.D She #as ,onsu/ed #ith lust. Ber /ind #as a ha-e& her entire body throbbed. :t #as sho,%ing& but she #anted Charles to ,o/e ba,% to her bed. She #anted hi/ to sho# her /ore o. #hat he had sho#n her at the la%e. She #anted to %no# e!erything. E!en i. he didn>t lo!e her. :t didn>t /atter. She lo!ed hi/. Be #as the reason she had ne!er .elt the slightest interest in any other /an. +eg had been rightCshe had seen eligible lords as no di..erent .ro/ elderly ,haperonesCe0,ept .or one eligible lord& that is. Charles had spoiled her .or all the others. She had lo!ed hi/ .ro/ the /o/ent he had dried her eyes in the #oods #hen she #as si0 years old& #hen he had let her shado# hi/& e!en though Robbie and Ia/es had teased hi/. Be had been her <an,elot then& her Robin Bood. And #hen she #as older& he had been the hero o. all the +iner!a Press no!els she>d read se,retly in her roo/. Be>d .re1uented her drea/s& ,o/.orting her #hen she #as tired or dis,ouraged& #hen raising +eg and %eeping house .or her .ather had o!er#hel/ed her. At .irst he>d Aust draped his ar/ around her& %issing her .orehead. But a.ter she>d seen hi/

#ith the anony/ous #o/an on the terra,e at his brother>s #edding ball& he>d #rapped both ar/s around her& held her tightly& and %issed her on the lips. And no#@ Oh& /y. "o# her drea/s #ere hot& tantali-ing. 3rustrating. So/e ,ru,ial details #ere still /issing. ?ell& she #ould learn the/ tonight. Eod help her& i. Charles didn>t ,o/e to bed right no#& she #as going to ,ry. She #as t#enty2si0 years old. She had ne!er been #ith a /an. As +rs. Begley had as%ed& #hat #as she sa!ing hersel. .or@ E!en i. she had to beg Charles& she #as not getting out o. this bed a !irgin. Be turned& and her eyes dropped to his #aist. She s/iled. She did not thin% she #ould ha!e to beg. D"o sign o. any ghost& s#eetheart.D D8/.D Eod& E//a>s eyes had .astened on the part o. hi/ that /ost a,hed .or her. Be s/iled. Perhaps that #as not entirely true. Bis heart a,hed /ore. Be had ne!er thought su,h a .eeling possible. :. E//a #anted hi/ to& he #ould Aust hold her tonight. Be .er!ently hoped that she #anted /ore o. hi/ than that. +u,h& /u,h /ore. All o. hi/. E!ery hot in,h o. hi/. Be ,leared his throat and tried to ,lear his /ind o. his raging need. D: thin% :>d best stay here #ith you tonight. o prote,t you. 5on>t you thin%@D Ber eyes tra!eled slo#ly .ro/ his groin to his .a,e& stopping along the #ay to e0a/ine his sto/a,h& his ,hest& his throat. ?hen she .inally /et his ga-e& he #as delighted to see inno,ent need re.le,ted there. D$es.D Ber tongue pee%ed out to #et her lips. D$es& that /ight be a good idea.D DS#eetheart& trust /eCit is a #onder.ul idea.D Be sat on the bed. DAnd : ,an thin% o. so/e things #e ,an do to ta%e your /ind o.. ghosts o. any sort.D DReally@D E//a #hispered. D?hat /ight those things be@D Be rea,hed out slo#ly and stro%ed the side o. one breast. D hey in!ol!e tou,hing.D D+//.D E//a>s eyes ,losed& and her tongue slid out again. D ou,hing is good.D Be put a hand on her shoulder and gently turned her so she #as on her ba,% instead o. her belly. DHery good.D Be stro%ed the other breast& ,upped and li.ted it. :t .illed his hand so #ell& its #eight Aust right. Bis thu/b ,ir,led around her nipple& s%irting the ,enter.

E//a /ade a .unny little noise in her throat. She ar,hed her ba,%& thrusting her breast .arther into his hold. DEod& s#eetheart& you are per.e,t.D D: a/. . . : a/. . . so . . . hot&D she said. Be #at,hed her s#allo#& #at,hed her lo!ely throat /o!e. DPlease. : need you. : need your . . . tou,h. E!ery#here.D Be dre# his .inger along the inside o. her breast up to her ne,% and rubbed his thu/b o!er the pulse beating there. D<o!e& you ,annot i/agine ho# delighted : a/ to hear you say so. And : #ill be e!en /ore delighted to a,,o//odate youCin a /o/ent.D D"o. "o#.D DAh& s#eets. So de/andingG : see that : a/ destined to be your sla!eC#hi,h : #ill be& #illingly& on one ,ondition.D D?hat@D D hat you /arry /e.D Be too% the Knightsdale betrothal ring .ro/ the night table #here he had put it be.ore he>d gone ghost hunting. D: #on>t lay another .ingerCor anything else Con you until you agree to #ed /e.D DAll right.D E//a rea,hed .or the ring. Charles held it a#ay. D"o& no& /y i/patient little lo!e. his is a ,hoi,e you are /a%ing .ore!er. hin%Ci. you ,an. On,e : slide this ring on your .inger& you are ,o//itted. $ou #ill be /y #i.e& the /other o. /y ,hildren.D Charles paused& listening to his o#n #ords. he sapphire in the .a/ily ring ,aught the ,andlelight. Ei!ing it to E//a #as another tie binding hi/ to Knightsdale. Be e0pe,ted to .eel a sin%ing in the pit o. his sto/a,h. Be e0pe,ted to .eel trapped. Be did not. Be .elt ,ertain. Be %ne# E//a #as the #o/an .or hi/. And he .elt anti,ipation. Ereat anti,ipation. Ber lo!ely body #as spread be.ore hi/& e!ery in,h glo#ing in the ,andlelight. As soon as he had his ring on her .inger . . . DSay yes& E//a. : need you.D She loo%ed at the ring and then at hi/. DBut do you lo!e /e@D Be grinned. D$es& s#eetheart& : belie!e that : do. : %no# : .eel so/ething .or you that : ha!e ne!er .elt be.ore. Iust thin%ing about you /a%es /e happyC and other things.D D?hat other things@D

Charles laughed. DBot. Bungry. Bard. :nsane #ith desire.D DOh. hat sounds a tri.le un,o/.ortable.D D:t is /ore than a tri.le un,o/.ortable& lo!e. +arriage to you is /y only ,ure& : .ear. :. you reAe,t /e& : shall e0pire right here in your bed and 1uite possibly the 5rays/ith line #ill die #ith /e. he tide #ill pass to dear Cousin Aubrey& #ho& a,,ording to Aunt Bea& is disin,lined or in,apable o. .athering an heir.D D$ou are being ridi,ulous& /y lord.D D: a/ de.initely not being ridi,ulous& +iss Peterson. : a/ being utterly and ,o/pletely honest. : a/ in desperate straits. : a/ in agony. :. you don>t ,onsent to #ed /e right here and no#& : #ill go /ad. : a/ ,ertain o. it.D D hat>s not possible.D D:t is& s#eetheart. rust /e. : .eel /y sanity slipping as #e spea%. Say you>ll /arry /e. Please. Say yes.D E//a grinned. D$es.D Charles laughed. D$es@ hat>s it@D D$es& please.D D: don>t suppose you lo!e /e@D D: don>t suppose : do.D Charles .ro#ned. Be had assu/ed . . . Be had thought i. he lo!ed her& she #ould o. ,ourse. . . But o. ,ourse not. She rolled o!er on her side& leaning up on her elbo#& and rea,hed out to rub the .urro# bet#een his bro#s. D: don>t suppose : lo!e you& you loobyC : %no# : lo!e you. : ha!e lo!ed you sin,e : #as si0 years old& though it didn>t .eel 1uite li%e this then.D D"o& : don>t suppose it did.D Be .elt di--y #ith relie.. D: tried to deny it& to ignore it& but it #ouldn>t go a#ayCe!en #hen you #ould not say you lo!ed /e.D D:>/ sorry. . . .D E//a put her .ingers on his lips. DEnough tal%ing. :& too& .ind /ysel. on the !erge o. /adness. $ou said you #ould tou,h /e i. : agreed to /arry you. :>!e agreed& so . . .D

DAh& yes. So gau,he o. /e to delay. Ei!e /e your le.t hand& s#eetheart.D Be slipped his ring on her .inger. D here.D Be %issed her pal/. D"o#& : belie!e you ha!e done your part& ha!en>t you@ : ,an only do /ine.D D$es. Please. "o#.D D: a/ your sla!e to ,o//and. ?here #ould you li%e to be tou,hed .irst@D E//a .lushed. D5o : ha!e to say@D DB//& perhaps : ,an guess. $our nose@ $our eyebro#s@ $our ,hee%@D Charles let his lips .ollo# his #ords& %issing ea,h part o. E//a>s .a,e in turn& slipping o.. her spe,ta,les and putting the/ on the night table. D"o. $es. Oh.D D$ou are not terribly ,oherent& +iss Peterson.D She turned as red as a beet and loo%ed hi/ in the eye. D+y breasts& <ord Knightsdale. : should li%e you to tou,h /y breasts.D DAh& your breasts. ?hat a splendid idea. hey are !ery lo!ely breasts& aren>t they@ : should be happy to tou,h the/. E,stati,.D Charles s/iled as E//a ar,hed up #hen he gra-ed one o. her lo!ely breasts #ith the edge o. his hand. Be ,ould see it #as going to be a splendid night. KKK Charles>s hands .elt #onder.ul. hey #ere large and #ar/ and they #ere /o!ing o!er her. his #as /u,h better than the ti/e by the la%e. <o!e/a%ing #as greatly i/pro!ed by a so.t bed and a ,losed door. And the absen,e o. ,lothes. 5e.initely. She ran her .ingers o!er the hard& ,ur!ed /us,les in his upper ar/s. here #as one proble/. Bis hands #ere s,rupulously a!oiding the area she /ost #anted the/ to tou,h. She #hi/pered and ar,hed up& trying to en,ourage hi/. Be ,hu,%led. DSo i/patient& s#eetheart. : #ill get to e!ery lo!ely in,h o. you. ?e ha!e all night.D D: #ant you to get to this parti,ular in,h no#.D DAh& : see : a/ betrothed to a shre#. A bossyDChe dre# one .inger up her breast .ro/ her rib ,age to Aust belo# her nippleCDstrong2#illedDChe ,ir,led her nipple& a!oiding

the a,hing ,enterCDter/agant.D Bis thu/b .li,%ed o!er the hard nub. She s1uea%ed and her hips li.ted o.. the bed. D?as that a happy sound@D D$es. <ud& yes. $our /outh. $our tongue. : need the/ there& li%e at the la%e. Please.D DOh@ <i%e this@D Be bent his head. Bis tongue rasped o!er her a,hing nipple& .inally. Be su,%ed& dra#ing her into his /outh. She .elt it all the #ay to the hot& #et pla,e bet#een her legs. She threaded her .ingers through his ,urls& holding hi/ to her breast. She ne!er #anted hi/ to stop. Be stro%ed do#n to her #aist and splayed his hand a,ross her sto/a,h. She s1uir/ed. :. his hand #ould Aust /o!e an in,h or t#o lo#er . . . DS#eetheart& you ,an #riggle all you #antC: a/ not hurrying.D Be grinned do#n at her. Be sounded so sel.2satis.ied& so ,on.ident. She raised her hand and ,upped his ,hee%. Be turned his .a,e to %iss her pal/. D:t>s a ga/e& s#eets& a teasing ga/e. Ea,h tou,h brings you ,loser to the edge.D Bis thu/b brushed o!er her na!el. DCloser and ,loser& little tou,h by little tou,h& until on the last tou,h& you e0plode.D DB//. So : should tou,h you& too@D E//a s/oothed the ,urly hair a,ross his ,hest& e0plored his nipples& then started the long Aourney do#n the intriguing line o!er his sto/a,h to his . . . Be inhaled& Aer%ing ba,%. Be #asn>t grinning any longer. D5on>t you #ant /e to tou,h you@D DE//a& : #ould lo!e it. . . ne0t ti/e. his ti/e : #ouldn>t last a se,ond. And : #ant this to be good .or you.D Be .ro#ned slightly& bending to#ard her breast. DAs good as it ,an be& .or a .irst ti/e.D D?hatCohGD E//a didn>t understand& but she stopped ,aring the /o/ent Charles>s lips tou,hed her nipple. Be su,%ed hard as he dipped one .inger into the #et heat at her ,enter. Ber hips li.ted o.. the bed and she gripped his shoulders. She needed so/ething to hold on to in the sensual #hirlpool #here his /outh and hands had thro#n her. She panted& her hips t#isting. She needed to .eel Charles>s #eight.

As i. he read her /ind& he pulled her tight against hi/. Bis .inger still played #ith her& slipping in and out& rubbing her #etness o!er the hard little nub o. sensation hidden there. She had ne!er %no#n . . . ne!er i/agined. Ber na%ed breasts #ere pressed against Charles>s bare ,hest. his #as so /u,h better than the ti/e at the la%e. his #as . . . . . . unbearable. Ber breath ,aught and she pulsed against Charles>s hand& her nipples pea%ing and her insides turning to li1uid. D"o#& s#eetheart&D he #hispered in her ear& D#hile you are still #et.D Be /o!ed bet#een her legs& putting the po%ey thing #here his .inger had been. Be pushed slo#ly inside her. D?hat@D DShh. Rela0& s#eetheart.D Be in,hed .arther in. She .elt hersel. stret,hing. D: don>t thin% you>ll .it& Charles.D DShh. 5on>t thin%. : #ill. . . .it. Oh& Eod& E//a& you are so tight.D D:s that good@D Be sounded li%e he /ight be in pain. She #as .eeling a little pain hersel.. D:t. .. is . . . #onder.ul.D Be pushed .or#ard until he #as .ully inside her. DOu,h.D E//a tried to /o!e& but his #eight %ept her pinned to the bed. D5on>t . . . /o!e.D Bis .a,e #as buried in her ne,%. On,e she got o!er the sho,%& she rather li%ed the .eel o. hi/. he pain #as easing. She stro%ed her hands up his s#eat2sli,% ba,%. D his is ho# babies are /ade& lo!e.D Be li.ted hi/sel. on his elbo#s and /o!ed his hips. D: spill /y . . . seedDChis hips .le0ed& pushing hi/ into herC DdeepDChe /o!ed in and out againCDinsideDC againCDyou.D Be surged .or#ard and held there. E//a .elt so/ething #ar/ spurt into her. D+//.D Charles rela0ed onto her. She threaded her .ingers through his hair. She #as ha!ing a little trouble breathing& but that #as all right. She #as ha!ing a little trouble thin%ing. 3eeling #as about all she ,ould /anage . . . the #eight o. his body on hers& the soreness bet#een her legs. And the .ullness. Be #as still there& still inside her.

So/e per/anent ,onne,tion had been .orged bet#een the/& beyond the ob!ious physi,al one. She didn>t understand it yet& nor ,ould she e0plain it& but she %ne# it had happened. She .elt !ery /arried. DEod& E//a.D Charles raised his head to s/ile do#n at her& and her heart turned o!er. Bis eyes held a loo% o. su,h . . . possession. "o& it #as /ore than that. A,,eptan,e@ She .elt as i. she had Aust stepped through a door& and no# she #as #ith hi/. Iust the t#o o. the/. ogether. She s/iled ba,%. D+//.D Apparently lu,idity #as eluding hi/ as #ell. Be bent his head and %issed her slo#ly& thoroughly. :t #as de.initely possession this ti/eCshe #as .illed by hi/. By his tongue and his . . . D:>/ too hea!y .or you.D Be li.ted hi/sel. o.. her. She .elt e/pty and ,old. DAnd you are probably sore.D D"o.D >$es.D Be ,li/bed out o. bed. D?here are you going@D E//a did not #ant to spend the rest o. the night alone. D$ou said you #ould stay and prote,t /e.D D5on>t #orry& s#eetheart. : a/ de.initely not lea!ing your bed .or long.D Be !anished through the ,onne,ting door. She heard hi/ ru//aging in his #ardrobe. DBere #e are. : too% the pre,aution o. lo,%ing /y doorCdon>t #ant to surprise poor Benderson& do #e@D E//a .lushed. D"o. 5e.initely not.D Be lo,%ed her door& too& then ,a/e ba,% to the bed. Be had so/ething in his hand. D?hat>s that@D DAn old ,ra!at. Sorry& the #ater is a bit ,old.D Be rea,hed bet#een her legs. D?hat are you doing@D E//a tried to ,lose her thighs& but Charles>s hand #as already there. She s,ooted up the bed. D hat is ,old.D D: %no#& lo!e. :>/ sorry. :>/ Aust ,leaning you up.D DCleaning /e up@D Charles sho#ed her the blood2stained ,ra!at. D$our /aidenhead& s#eetheart. :t>s only a little bit o. blood& and it #ill only happen this on,e.D

D<et /e do that.D E//a #as /orti.ied. She hated /esses. D"o& lo!e. :t is /y pleasure. 5id : hurt you !ery /u,h@D D"o. Iust a little.D D: a/ sorry. rust /e& #hen #e do this again& you #ill ha!e only pleasure.D Charles #as still #iping the #et ,ra!at o!er her. :t .elt e0tre/ely . . . odd& ha!ing hi/ do so/ething so inti/ate. he slight roughness o. the linen and the ,old o. the #ater /ade her sto/a,h .lutter. And he #as a,tually loo%ing at her. Be ,o/bed his .ingers through the hair gro#ing there. Surely that #as inappropriate@ D8/.D ?hat had Charles been saying@ Oh& Eod& he #as running his .inger around& u/ . . . and she ,ould .eel hi/ spreading the& u/& lips o. the& uh . . . D:t #as !ery ni,e in the beginning.D She s#allo#ed& trying to ,lose her legs again& but he #ould not let her. Be ble# on her& and she shuddered. DAnd it #ill be !ery ni,e the ne0t ti/e #e do itC in the beginning& the /iddle& and the end.D Be dropped the stained ,ra!at and grinned up at her. D$ou %no#& : thin% : should %iss your hurt and /a%e it better.D D?hatC#hat do you /ean@D D his.D E//a stared as Charles bent his head. Be ,ouldn>t /ean to . . . "o& it #asn>t possible. . . . She .elt his #ar/ breath on the se,ret pla,e bet#een her legs& then the lo!ely& #et rasp o. his tongue.

Chapter 1
Charles drea/t a #o/an>s hand #as on a !ery pri!ate part o. his anato/y. his #as not the ,on.ident tou,h o. an e0perien,ed #hore. "o& it #as hesitant& glan,ing& as i. the #o/an #ere a.raid to do #hat she #as doing. 5on>t be a.raid. Please& Eod& don>t be a.raid. Be rolled slo#ly .arther onto his ba,%& spreading his legs& gi!ing the 1uesting .ingers plenty o. roo/ to #or% their /agi,. And /agi, they #ere de.initely #or%ing. 5eli,ate .ingers brushed o!er hi/ and #ithdre#. Co/e ba,%& ,o/e ba,%. Be held his breath& lying still& all his prayers .o,used on that s/all hand. Eod heard hi/. he .ingers ,a/e ba,% to tra,e his length and dip do#n bet#een his legs. A so.t pal/ held hi/F .ingers li.ted and stro%ed. he tou,h #as too light& too teasing. Be needed /ore. he .ingers ,ir,led hi/. Be leapt to their tou,h& and they .led. But they ,a/e ba,%. han% Eod. Besitantly& ,autiously& they slid o!er hi/. And then . . . Eod Al/ighty. Be s#ore he .elt the slightest tou,h o. a s/all& #et tongue& li%e a %itten>s li,%& Aust on his tip. S#eat pooled on his ,hest to tri,%le do#n his sides. Bis groin #as on .ire. Please& please& please. Be #anted to .eel her /outh on hi/. Be /oaned. DA/ : hurting you@D Bis eyes .le# open. his #as no drea/. here #as a !ery large& E//a2si-ed lu/p under the blan%ets. Be peered underneath to see her #ide& #orried eyes loo%ing ba,% at hi/. Ber beauti.ul hand #as still holding hi/. D"o.D Bis !oi,e #a!ered. Be s#allo#ed and ,leared his throat. D"ot at all. Please& don>t let /e interrupt you.D E//a s/iled and ran her .inger up hi/ again. D$ou do e0pand in the oddest #ay. :t is 1uite re/ar%able. ?hen : .irst tou,hed you this /orning& you #ere s/aller and. . . li/per. : ,ould Aust about ,o!er you #ith /y hand.D She rested her hand against hi/& /easuring hi/ .ro/ the tips o. her .ingers to the heel o. her pal/. D"o# you are /u,h longer& andDCshe #rapped her .ingers around hi/C Dthi,%er. $ou are also /u,h& u/& sti..er.D D$es.D Be #as .inding this dis,ussion in,redibly eroti,. DHery& u/& true.D DCan : do to you #hat you did to /e last night@D D?hi,h #ould be . . . @D Be had done a nu/ber o. things to her& but not nearly the nu/ber he #ould ha!e li%ed. DKiss you.D She stro%ed hi/ again. DBere.D

D$es. 5e.initely. Kissing any part o. /y person is per.e,tly per/issible. Please.D Be tried to drag air into his lungs. D: #ould be delighted to ha!e you %iss /e there. Or Aust. . . li,% . . . /e.D D<i%e this@D She ran her tongue up the length o. hi/. Bis hips li.ted o.. the bed. Be grabbed the bed,lothes. D$es. 5e.initely. Iust. <i%e. hat.D She did it on,e /ore& and he %ne# he ,ould not hold on any longer. Be pulled her up beside hi/. D:>/ not .inished.D DAnother ti/e& s#eetheart. : ,an>t #ait.D D?ait .or #hat@D D his.D Be .lipped her onto her ba,%. Be hoped she #asn>t too sore .ro/ the nightti/e& be,ause he really ,ould not #ait. Be had ne!er .elt this /adness #ith any other #o/an. Be %issed her& stro%ing her tongue #ith his as he stro%ed her belo# #ith his .ingers. She #as already #et. Be al/ost ,ried #ith relie.. Be lo!ed the taste o. her. Be lo!ed the .eel o. her breasts against hi/. Be le.t her /outh to su,%le her nipples. She panted and ar,hed. Be li,%ed his #ay lo#er. Ber legs parted #ide. She raised her hips and he tasted her& .li,%ed her hard little nub #ith his tongue. She /oaned& and he surged into her& sliding into the tight passage that #as already ,ontra,ting around hi/& #el,o/ing the seed he planted in her #o/b. :t too% a .e# /o/ents .or rationality to return. D hat #as a lo!ely #ay to #a%e up.D Be %issed her& %eeping hi/sel. buried in her. DAre you going to greet /e li%e this e!ery /orning@D She s/iled. DPerhaps.D A s/all .ro#n appeared bet#een her bro#s. D$ou aren>t s,andali-ed@D Be ro,%ed his hips& /o!ing in her again. D5o : .eel s,andali-ed@D She ,aught her breath. D"o.D Be %issed the tip o. her nose. D: ,annot thin% o. a thing you ,ould do in our bed that #ould s,andali-e /e& s#eetheart. +y body is yours to e0plore.D Regret.ully& he eased out o. her. DIust not right no#. :. #e don>t /a%e an appearan,e at the house party soon& #e /il s,andali-e a signi.i,ant portion o. the ton.D

DOh. $es. :ndeed.D E!en E//a>s beauti.ul breasts blushed. D<ady Oldston . . .D DE0a,tly. <ady Oldston or +rs. Pelha/ #ill run all the #ay to <ondon to spread the interesting #ord that the ne# <ord Knightsdale spent the day in bed #ith the !i,ar>s daughter. :>/ ,ertain <ady 5unlee #ill be an espe,ially interested re,ipient o. the ne#s.D DOhh.D E//a /oaned& ,o!ering her eyes. D5on>t #orry. +arriage #ill ,ure all.D Be ,aught her le.t hand& turning it so they both ,ould see the Knightsdale betrothal ring. D?e ha!e only anti,ipated our #edding !o#s& s#eetheart.D Be grinned. DAs : .ear #e #ill anti,ipate the/ again se!eral ti/es be.ore your .ather has .inished ,alling the banns. :t doesn>t /atter. ?e #ill be /arried soon. :. :>!e /anaged to get you #ith ,hild& the babe #ill be only a /onth or t#o early.D Be %issed her .inger& Aust abo!e the betrothal ring. D: hope you didn>t ha!e your heart set on an elaborate #edding@D DO. ,ourse not.D DEood.D Be %issed her one last ti/e and sat up. :. he didn>t .or,e hi/sel. out o. bed no#& he #ould try to ha!e her again. Be didn>t ,are terribly #hat the old ,ats said& but he didn>t #ant to /a%e things unpleasant .or E//a. D?e should tell the girls.D Be nodded. D$es. ?e>ll do that .irst& shall #e@ And then Aunt BeaCand +eg& o. ,ourse. $our .ather is ,o/ing to the ball& so #e ,an tell hi/ tonight.D D?ill he be surprised& do you thin%@D D"o& : don>t belie!e he #ill.D Charles did not #ant to tell E//a that her .ather /ost li%ely #ould be relie!ed. D:>!e already as%ed his per/ission to pay /y addresses.D D$ou ha!e@D DO. ,ourse : ha!e. $ou don>t ha!e to loo% so surprised. 5id you really thin% : #as su,h a ha!ey2,a!ey .ello# that : #ould be 1uite so parti,ular in /y attentions #ithout spea%ing to your .ather@D D?ell.D E//a shrugged& /a%ing her na%ed breasts /o!e in a !ery entran,ing .ashion. D: guess : didn>t thin% about it.D Charles grunted and .or,ed hi/sel. to stand. :. he loo%ed at E//a on,e /ore& he s#ore he>d be on her again. Be loo%ed at the .loor instead. So/ething glinted in the /orning light. Be bent do#n.

here #here E//a had seen her ghost the night be.ore #as a !ery unghostli%e #at,h .ob. D?hat is it@D E//a s,ooted o!er the bed to see #hat Charles had bent to pi,% up o.. the .loor. DA #at,h .ob.D Be displayed a .lat gold dis% on his pal/. DA Spanish doubloon.D Be he.ted it. D+u,h too substantial .or a spe,ter to sport.D E//a loo%ed at the gold ,oinli%e .obCand the broad pal/ that held it. he strong .orear/& the /us,led upper ar/& the shoulders& ,hest. . . D5o you thin% you ,ould put so/e ,lothes on@D DB//@D Charles grinned. DA/ : distra,ting you& s#eetheart@ +ind #andering to other /atters& perhaps@D E//a sat ba,% on her heels& spreading her %nees& and gathered her hair in both hands& pulling it o.. her shoulders. Charles>s .a,e tensed. Bis eyes .o,used on her breasts& then dropped to a spot Aust !isible bet#een her parted thighs. She had be,o/e /u,h /ore %no#ledgeable in the past .e# hours. She leaned .or#ard slightly& her eyes loo%ing do#n to gauge his interest. D:>d say you #ere distra,ted& too& <ord Knightsdale. Ereatly distra,ted.D Charles loo%ed do#n and grinned. D: see your point. : #ill go put /y bree,hes on.D D:. you ,anGD Charles paused. DAre you o..ering to assist /e in seeing that /y ,lothes .it /ore ,o/.ortably@D E//a slid o.. the bed and #al%ed to#ard hi/. :. she let hersel. thin% about it& she #ould be sho,%ed at her boldnessC#here!er had the !i,ar>s daughter gone& the old /aid #ho #orried about propriety@ ?hen <ady Beatri,e had urged her to ta%e a .e# ris%s& she surely had not en!isioned thisCE//a na%ed& sauntering to#ard <ady Bea>s e1ually na%ed nephe#. D:>ll be happy to help you /a%e the ne,essary adAust/ents&D she said& #rapping her hand around his !ery large& !ery interested /ale appendage. DS#eetheart.D Bis hands /o!ed o!er her breasts. D?e . . . /ust. . . get. . . dressed.D Be shuddered as she rubbed the tip o. hi/ #ith her .inger. D"o#. Regret.ully.D Eently& he disengaged her hand. DHery& !ery regret.ully. But re/e/ber #hat you #ere doing. onight& a.ter the ball& you ,an resu/e your /inistrations.D

DBut #e aren>t #ed yet.D D<o!e& : #ill die i. #e #ait to ,ontinue our bedroo/ e0plorations until your .ather pronoun,es us /an and #i.e. Plan on seeing /e tonight. Please@D E//a ad/itted she did not #ant to #ait a .e# #ee%s to e0perien,e again the a/a-ing things Charles had done to her. She #asn>t ,ertain she ,ould #ait a .e# hours. D?ell. . .D D?e are betrothed.D Charles %issed her .inger that #ore the Knightsdale ring. D?e #ill be /arried !ery soon . . . but not 1uite soon enough. : don>t #ant to spend the night in /y o#n bed unless you are there #ith /e& but : #ill i. you insist. :. you need to #ait& : #ill. .. try.D E//a laughed. Charles loo%ed al/ost desperate. D:t does see/ a pity to #aste a per.e,tly good unlo,%able door& doesn>t it@ : /ean& i. : #ere supposed to %eep you out& the door #ould ha!e a %ey& #ouldn>t it@D D:ndeed it #ould.D Be %issed her ne,%& Aust belo# her ear. D$ou ha!e a #onder.ul /ind as #ell as a #onder.ul body. So ,le!er. O. ,ourse #e should share a bed. Bo# silly o. us not to ha!e .igured that out earlier.D E//a li,%ed his nipple. D: do not ,are to #aste any /ore ti/e& do you@D D"o. "ot another /o/ent. E0,ept #e do need to attend to other things at this parti,ular /o/ent.D Be turned her and s#atted her on her na%ed botto/. hey both ,aught their breaths at the sound and .eel o. the play.ul slap. DEet dressed&D Charles said& his !oi,e hoarse. D"o#.D

Charles tu,%ed in his shirt. Putting ,lothes on #as a !ery good idea. Clothes de.initely #ere an aid in .o,using on the /atter at hand& #hene!er the /atter at hand #as not E//a. Be stopped at the threshold o. her roo/. DAre you dressed@D >$es. :t>s sa.e to ,o/e in.D E//a still had her hair tu/bling o!er her shoulders& but at least the rest o. her beauti.ul sel. #as ,on.ined. Be s1uatted do#n at the spot he had .ound the #at,h .ob. DCan you re/e/ber any /ore about your ghost@D Be ran his hand o!er the rug but .ound no other ,lues.

D?ell& : did not ha!e /y spe,ta,les on& so : didn>t get a good loo% at hi/Cor her. : assu/e ghosts ,an be .e/ale@D DE//a.D D$es& #ell& : heard a ,rea% and a s,rape& rather li%e a door openingCa door on rusty hinges. And then : sa# so/ething #hite ,o/ing out o. the #all. And then :& u/& s,rea/ed and do!e under the ,o!ers.D DB//.D Charles stood and turned to loo% at the #all. DAnd you thin% the ghost appeared here@D D: thin% so.D Charles studied the sur.a,e. D?hen : #as a boy& /y Ereat28n,le Randall !isited one su//erCit #as be.ore you ,a/e to Knightsdale.D Be ran his .ingers o!er the #all& loo%ing .or any odd protrusions or depressions. DEreat28n,le Randall #as the bla,% sheep o. the .a/ilyC/y .ather #as e0tre/ely annoyed #hen the /an appeared on our doorstepCand e!en /ore annoyed #hen he stayed the #hole su//er and paid a lo,al s,ulptor to i//ortali-e his unattra,ti!e !isage in stone.D D:>!e seen the bust in the long gallery.D DBe #asn>t the /ost attra,ti!e 5rays/ith.D D"o& nothing to ,o/pare to the ,urrent /ar1uis.D Charles grinned. D"o indeed. Keep that thought& s#eetheart. : #ant your heart to .lutterC and other things to& u/& respondC#hen you thin% o. /e.D D: shall re/ain silent so : don>t ris% .eeding your burgeoning sense o. i/portan,e.D DPlease& don>t restrain yoursel.. : shall su..er all the plaudits you should li%e to heap on /e.D Charles .ro#ned at the #all. Be>d be da/ned i. he ,ould .ind the tiniest bu/p or dip in the blasted thing. D:n any e!ent& Ereat28n,le Randall spent a good portion o. his stay that su//er drin%ing /y .ather>s brandy and sleeping o.. its e..e,ts. Paul and : thought he #as a pirateChe /ay e!en ha!e told us a tale or t#o about the high seas& but sin,e he #as usually drun%& #e didn>t really belie!e hi/. Still& sear,hing .or buried treasure #as an enAoyable #ay to spend a su//er& e!en .or Paul& #ho #as usually not !ery .ond o. /y ,o/pany.D DPaul #asn>t .ond o. /any people>s ,o/pany.D

Charles shrugged. D$ou barely %ne# hi/. :t ,ouldn>t ha!e been easy to assu/e the tide at su,h a young ageChe #as only .ourteen #hen our .ather died.D D"o& : suppose you>re right.D Charles put his hands on his hips and stared at the #all. Be ,ould %i,% it& but that probably #ould not be a reasonable #ay to pro,eed. DBesides telling us stories o. pira,y& Ereat28n,le Randall told us there #as a /a-e o. passages in the #alls o. Knightsdale. ?e loo%ed one rainy day& but #hen #e didn>t .ind anything& #e de,ided it #as another o. Randall>s drun%en stories. "o# :>/ not so ,ertain.D "ot ,ertain at all. "anny>s ghost& the .ire in E//a>s earlier roo/& the apparition last night Cso/eone #as /o!ing around Knightsdale at #ill& and he did not thin% it #as a spirit. But #here the hell #as the door to the bloody passage@ DB//. +r. Sto,%ley #as loo%ing behind pi,tures in the long gallery yesterday&D E//a said& e0a/ining a lands,ape a .e# .eet a#ay. DBe #as@D Charles #as ready to put his .ist through the #all. D$es. And he #as beha!ing oddly in the grotto.D E//a li.ted a ,orner o. the painting. DBe #asn>t the only one beha!ing oddly. $ou de.initely loo%ed /ost pe,uliar #hen : ,a/e upon you. Al/ost guilty.D D: don>t %no# #hat you>re tal%ing about. OhGD D?hat is it@D D here>s a little le!er or so/ething here. Bold on. : ,an>t. . .D D<et /e see.D D5on>t push. :t>s right there.D Charles .ollo#ed E//a>s .ingers. he pi,ture #as too hea!y to li.t o.. the #all entirely& but they ,ould /o!e it .ar enough a#ay to get their hands in. $es& he .elt it. "ot !ery .ar in .ro/ the .ra/eChe ,ouldn>t ha!e gotten his hand /u,h beyond this point. D: ,an>t budge it. 5oes it s#ing do#n@D E//a #as trying to peer into the dar% spa,e behind the painting #here his hand #as. D: thin% so. $es.D Be pulled do#n hard. here #as a ,rea%ing and . . . D<oo%GD E//a spun around& bu/ping into hi/.

Part o. the #all had s#ung open. DSti,% so/ething in there& #ill you& in ,ase it ,loses up #hen : let go o. the le!er.D DAll rightD E//a loo%ed around and grabbed her hairbrush. DReady.D Be let go. he door stayed open. E//a #as already partly inside. D?hat are you doing@D Be grabbed her ar/. DEet out o. there. $ou>re as bad as Prinny #ith a badger hole.D D:t>s !ery dusty and dar% in here. Eo get a ,andle& Charles.D Charles #as rather ,ertain he did not ,are to be ordered about in su,h a /anner. D: ,an see #hy +eg .inds you a trial.D E//a ba,%ed out o. the passage .ar enough to glare at hi/. D?hat do you /ean@D D: /ean : #ill not get a ,andle until you ha!e re/o!ed yoursel. .ro/ your present lo,ation.D E//a .ro#ned and Autted out her ,hin. DOh& you #on>t& #ill you@D Be #aited& his .a,e i/passi!e. Be had learned that tri,% #hen he #as dealing #ith young pri!ates #hose youth.ul e0uberan,e so/eti/es led the/ to inappropriate beha!ior. Silen,e #as o.ten the /ost e..e,ti!e reAoinder in su,h ,ases. DOh& !ery #ell& i. you are going to be stubborn about it.D D: a/.D E//a stepped ba,%. D5on>t thin% you are going to %eep /e out entirely. $ou /ust at least let /e loo% around inside.D D+ust :@D Charles lit a ,andle. D$es. Re/e/ber& i. it #ere not .or /e& you #ould ne!er ha!e .igured out ho# to open the door.D DOh& : thin% : #ould ha!e pu--led it out e!entually.D Be stepped through the opening. DCharlesG : a/ not going to go s,a/pering o.. into the bo#els o. Knightsdale& .or goodness> sa%e. : Aust #ant to ,o/e in there #ith you.D D here isn>t /u,h roo/.D he passage #as !ery narro#Cbarely a .oot and a hal. a,ross at a guess. Be had to turn side#ays to /o!e in either dire,tion. DAnd it is !ery dirty.D

D: don>t /ind a little dirt.D Charles loo%ed at the slee!e o. his .or/erly #hite shirt. D:t>s signi.i,antly /ore than a little dirt& s#eetheart. he /aids don>t dust in here& you %no#.D DO. ,ourse : %no#. $ou are not going to dissuade /e& so you /ay as #ell stop trying and step aside.D DAll right. At least put your hair up and .ind a ,ap. $ou don>t #ant the spiders setting up house%eeping in your ,urls.D E//a .ro-e. D here are spiders in there@D D$es. <ots. 3at bla,% ones and s%inny bro#n ones #ith long legs . . .D D$ou are ,ertain there are spiders@D Charles shrugged. Be should ha!e re/e/bered E//a>s spider .ears earlier. DAnd ,ob#ebs. $ou %no# ho# they sti,% to your hands and .a,e and you ,an>t 1uite get the/ o...D DPerhaps : #ill not. . . Perhaps it #ould be better i. : stayed out here. :n ,ase you get stu,% in there. : ,ould go .or help.D Charles grinned. DE0,ellent idea.D E//a tu,%ed her hair behind her ear. A .utile e..ort. Ber hair #as /u,h too thi,% and ,urly to stay politely in pla,e #ithout resorting to sturdy hairpins. DBo# do you plan to pro,eed& Charles@ $ou ,an>t Aust hare o.. into those passages.D D hose spider2.illed passages.D E//a shuddered. DE0a,tly. $ou need a plan.D She bit her lip. D:t #ould be easy to get disoriented.D D rue.D E//a #as right. Be #ould need a plan. Be stepped ba,% into her roo/. D: hope that isn>t your best shirt.D Be laughed. D:t ,ertainly isn>t no#.D DPerhaps you should 1uietly dispose o. it #hen your e0plorations are ,o/pleted. $ou #ould not #ant to gi!e +r. Benderson an apople0y.D

DPerhaps.D Charles /ade an atte/pt to brush the #orst o. the dust o.. his ,lothes. DOh& loo%& here>s one o. those spiders no#.D E//a s1uea%ed and stepped ba,%. DKill it.D DSo bloodthirsty. Are you ,ertain@D D$es.D Be laughed and brushed the poor spider onto the ground& dispat,hing it #ith the sole o. his shoe. DAnd here : thought you #ere a so.thearted& gentle soul.D D: a/. :t>s Aust spiders : ,an>t abide.D E//a e0a/ined the splot,h on the .loor. D:t>s 1uite dead& s#eetheart.D Be grinned. D$ou don>t ha!e to be a.raid. :>/ happy to prote,t you .ro/ the e!il spiders o. the #orld.D E//a .ro#ned at hi/. D:>/ sure. "o#& #here do you thin% this passage goes@ 5o you suppose it>s possible to get into e!ery roo/ in the house through a se,ret door@D D5oubt.ul. : i/agine it goes .ro/ the lord and lady>s roo/s to a hidden e0terior e0it.D D?hat about the ghost "anny sa# in the nursery@D D$es& there is that. : ha!e also #ondered ho# the .ire o,,urred that ne,essitated your /o!e here.D E//a blushed. D: didn>t ha!e to /o!e into this roo/. : ,ould ha!e /o!ed in #ith +eg.D D$ou ,ould not ha!e /o!ed in #ith +eg. She has a !ery s/all roo/ #ith one !ery s/all bed and& i. : understand the /aids> #hisperings ,orre,tly& an o!erabundan,e o. !egetati!e /atter.D D?ell. . .D DAnd i. you #ere billeted #ith your sister& /y lo!e& : #ould not ha!e .ound it nearly so ,on!enient.D D?hi,h #ould ha!e been a !ery good thingGD E//a turned an e!en brighter shade o. red. D?hi,h #ould de.initely not ha!e been a !ery good thing.D o ha!e /issed last night>sC and this /orning>sCa,ti!ities #ould ha!e been a tragedy he didn>t ,are to ,onte/plate. D$es. ?ell. B//. Eetting ba,% to the 1uestion at hand . . . #hat #as the 1uestion at hand@D

DPassages& s#eetheart.D Charles grinned& thin%ing o. E//a>s lo!ely tight passage. DPassages o. the ar,hite,tural !ariety& un.ortunately.D E//a .lushed and .ro#ned at hi/. She opened her /outh& then ,losed it. Ob!iously she had thought better o. her 1uestion. D:t does loo% as i. there /ust be /ore entran,es&D Charles said. D: thin% the only #ay to dis,o!er the ans#er is .or /e to do so/e e0ploring.D DAre you ,ertain you ,an get out again@D D:>ll e0a/ine the .astening here to see ho# it operates.D E//a opened the door #ide& ,asting a ner!ous glan,e at the spider2laden dar%ness. D: don>t see anything here.D D:t>s probably on the #all inside. : doubt i. the lat,h is hiddenC#hat #ould be the point@ : i/agine you #ant the person in the passage to be able to .ind the release.D D8nless you>re a.raid so/eone #ill snea% in that #ay.D D rue.D Charles raised the ,andle to shine /ore light on the proble/. ?hoe!er #as opening the door probably #ould not be taller than he& so he did not thin% the door release #ould be !ery high on the #all. :t also should not be too .ar .ro/ the door itsel.C the passage #as too narro# to allo# /u,h /aneu!ering. hat le.t a li/ited areaCbut he still ,ould not .ind the release. DClose the door& and let>s see i. : ,an open it.D D5e.initely not.D DBo# else a/ : to .igure out the /e,hanis/@D D: don>t %no#C: Aust %no# this door is staying open. :. : ,lose it and you ,annot open it. . . no& that does not bear thin%ing o..D DBut& E//aCD D"o. Sa!e your breath& /y lord. :>/ not ris%ing ento/bing you in the #alls o. Knightsdale.D D$ou are a !ery stubborn #o/an.D D: ha!e been ,alled that& yes.D

Charles glared at E//a. E//a glared ba,%. :t #as ,lear she #as not going to ,o/pro/ise on this issue. DSo #hat do you propose@D Charles al/ost snarled the #ords. D?hy don>t you see i. you ,an .ind your #ay up to the nursery@ here /ust be a door there& be,ause that>s #here "anny sa# her ghost. : #ill go up and get :sabelle& Claire& and Prinny to /a%e noise. hat should help you lo,ate the entran,e& shouldn>t it@D D: suppose so.D DAnd this door #ill stay open. :n .a,t& #e>ll ha!e +r. Benderson guard it& so no one ,an ,o/e along behind us and lo,% you in.D D: doubt that #ill happen.D E//a grabbed his ar/s. DBo# ,an you say that@ So/ething !ery odd is going on& and #e don>t %no# #ho is behind it.D D?e don>t@ +y bet is de.initely on Sto,%ley. :n .a,t& : belie!e :>ll put one o. the .oot/en on duty #at,hing hi/. : disli%ed the /an .ro/ the /o/ent : sa# hi/.D DBut +r. Sto,%ley is ne# to the neighborhood. Bo# ,ould he %no# about these se,ret passages@D D hat is an interesting 1uestion& isn>t it@ : suspe,t it has an interesting ans#er. "o# i. you>ll e0,use /e@D E//a hung on to his ar/. DEet +r. Benderson .irst.D DE//a.D DEet +r. Benderson .irst or : #ill s,rea/ and dru/ /y heels against the .loor.D Charles grinned. Be ,ould not pi,ture E//a ha!ing a tantru/& but she did loo% deadly serious. DEet +r. Benderson& Charles.D DOh& all right. :. you insist.D

Chapter 1!
E//a #at,hed Charles disappear into the opening. D$ou>ll be ,ertain no one tou,hes this door& #on>t you& +r. Benderson@D she as%ed .or the .i.th ti/e. D$es& +iss Peterson.D She ,he,%ed the area .or spiders& then stu,% her head inside the dar% passage. Charles had not /ade /u,h progress. DBe ,are.ul.D Be glan,ed ba,% and grinned. D: #ill. :t>s too narro# to /o!e !ery 1ui,%ly.D D$ou #on>t get stu,%@D D"o. ?ill you ,o/e res,ue /e i. : do@ Bra!e the spiders@D D: #ill de.initely send so/eone a.ter you.D E//a did not li%e the thought o. Charles stu,% in the #alls o. Knightsdale. :t brought up gothi, i/ages o. s%eletons and ghosts. D ry banging on the #all.D D?hy@D DIust do it.D DHery #ell. here>s not enough roo/ in here to do /u,h /ore than %no,% politely.D Charles tapped. D hat>s enough. ?e ,an hear you. :. you get stu,% or lost& %no,% and #e>ll .ind you. :>ll ha!e the /en tear the #all do#n to get to you& i. need be.D D: don>t %no#& E//a. Knightsdale is hundreds o. years old. :>/ not ,ertain #e should be tearing out a #all.D DStop teasing& /y lord. : a/ ,ertain. "o# hurry along as best you ,an. +r. Benderson is here standing guardC:>/ going o.. to a#ait you in the nursery. 5o not get lost.D D$es& /a>a/. : shall do /y best not to.D E//a ba,%ed out o. the opening and dusted hersel. gingerly .or spiders. D$ou #ill be ,ertain no one ,loses this door& +r. Benderson@D D$es& +iss Peterson. $ou do not need to #orry. "o one #ill ,lose the door.D

DOdd things ha!e been happening& +r. Benderson. $ou ,annot be too alert.D D+iss Peterson& please. : #ill not let anything happen to his lordship.D D"o& no& o. ,ourse you #on>t.D E//a too% a deep breath. She #as letting her i/agination run a#ay #ith her. D:>/ Aust a little ner!ous. :t is not e!ery day one dis,o!ers a se,ret passage in one>s roo/.D +r. Benderson s/iled broadly. D$ou>re right there& /iss. "o#& i. : /ay& : suggest you go on to the nursery to /eet his lordship.D D$es. $es& :>ll be on /y #ay.D DAnd please en,ourage hi/ to return to his roo/ i//ediately&D +r. Benderson ,alled a.ter her. D: a/ a.raid his ,lothing #ill need so/e attention.D E//a hurried do#n the hall. ?here #as Charles@ Bo# .ar had he progressed@ Be #ould not get stu,%& #ould he@ "o& ,ertainly not. She #as silly to #orry. ?hoe!er had been using the passages had not gotten #edged in the/& so there #as no reason to thin% Charles #ould. :t #as not as i. he #ere portly li%e S1uire Begley. Prinny greeted her at the nursery door #ith his usual .reneti, bar%ing. D:>!e ta%en hi/ .or his #al% this /orning& +iss Peterson.D D han% you& :sabelle. :>/ sorry Prinny>s ,are has .allen to you. :t is /ost re/iss o. /e.D D hat>s all right. : li%e #al%ing hi/.D E//a loo%ed up .ro/ patting Prinny to see :sabelle and Claire staring at her #ith /ore than their usual interest. D5id you sleep #ell last night& +a/a Peterson@D :sabelle elbo#ed Claire. E//a .lushed. Certainly the girls ,ould %no# nothing o. her nightti/e a,ti!ities@ ?ell& she ,ould not ans#er that inno,ent 1uestion #ithout loo%ing e0,eedingly guilty& so she ignored it. DEirls& do you re/e/ber the night "anny thought she sa# a ghost@ Can you help /e .ind the spot #here she thought she sa# it@D DO!er here& +a/a Peterson& in the s,hoolroo/. :>/ sure it #as here& by the shel. #ith /y dolls.D D: thin% you>re right& Claire.D E//a banged on the #all and then listened. "othing.

D?hat are you doing& +iss Peterson@D D$our un,le dis,o!ered so/e passages in the #alls& :sabelle. Be is e0ploring. ?e thin% there /ight be a door up here.D DSe,ret passagesGD Claire hopped up and do#n and ,lapped her hands. D$ou are not to put one spe,% o. one toenail inside one& <ady Claire&D E//a said. D hey are dar% and dirty and .ull o. spiders.D D: li%e spiders.D E//a>s Aa# dropped. D$ou do@D Claire nodded enthusiasti,ally. D$es& :Coh& loo% at Prinny.D Prinny had been sni..ing !igorously .or se!eral /inutes at the base o. the #all. Suddenly he started bar%ing and s,rabbling #ith his .ront pa#s as i. he #anted to dig through the paneling. D?hat is it& Prinny@D Claire bent do#n and tried to get an ans#er .ro/ the dog. E//a tried to get an ans#er .ro/ the #all. DCharlesGD She banged on the paneling so hard she .eared she /ight brea% it. DCharles& are you there@ Juiet& PrinnyG : ,an>t hear a thing. CharlesGD D+iss Peterson&D :sabelle said& Di. 8n,le Charles #ants to get out o. the #all& : thin% #e had better /o!e to gi!e hi/ roo/.D E//a too% a deep breath. D$es. $ou are probably right.D She stepped ba,%. DClaire& ,an you /o!e Prinny also@D here #as no# plenty o. roo/ .or the door to s#ing open. E//a #aited. "othing. Prinny bar%ed and tried to lunge .or#ard& but Claire %ept hi/ restrained. D5on>t you thin% so/ething should ha!e happened by no#@D E//a as%ed no one in parti,ular. D:t hasn>t been that long& +a/a Peterson.D :t has been .ore!er& E//a #anted to say& but she held her tongue. :t did no good to snap at the ,hild. D?ell& be sure you ha!e a tight hold on Prinny. :.C #henCthe door opens& #e don>t #ant hi/ dashing through. ?e>d ne!er get hi/ out o. the #alls.D

>Hery true&D a /ale !oi,e said. DCharlesGD A portion o. the #all had s#ung open and Charles #as standing there grinning& s/ears o. dirt on his .a,e and ,ob#ebs in his hair. Be loo%ed #onder.ul. E//a #anted to thro# hersel. at hi/ and hug hi/. Be /ust ha!e seen the loo% in her eyes. Bis grin #idened and he opened his ar/s. D?hat& E//a& no %iss@ Are you going to let a little dirt and the .ear o. a spider or t#o deter you@D DCharlesG : /ean& <ord Knightsdale . . .D E//a gestured at :sabelle and Claire& #hose eyes had gro#n huge at his banter. DAre you going to %iss +iss Peterson& 8n,le@D D$es& indeed.D D5e.initely notGD DBut you #ant to %iss hi/& don>t you& +a/a Peterson@D E//a opened her /outh& but she ,ould not lie. She .elt a hot .lush bloo/ o!er her .a,e. D:t #or%edGD Claire Au/ped up& letting go o. Prinny. D:sabelle& it #or%edGD DPrinnyGD E//a lunged .or the dog& but Charles ,aught his hind leg be.ore he disappeared into the #alls. D: guess : should ha!e ,losed this earlier.D Charles pushed the door .ir/ly shut. D?hat #or%ed& Claire@D DClaire&D :sabelle said& Dperhaps it #ould be best i. you didn>tCD But Claire #ould not be stopped. She #as dan,ing #ith e0,ite/ent D:sabelle is so s/art. She said #e had to get you alone together& so #e hid +a/a Peterson>s brush in your roo/& Papa Charles. But that didn>t #or%& so then #e hid +a/a Peterson>s nightgo#n. And that did #or%G $ou are getting /arried.D DClaire& Aust be,ause 8n,le Charles #ants to %iss +iss Peterson doesn>t /ean they are getting /arried.D D?ell& :sabelle&D Charles said& D: hope you do not intend to %iss /en you are not going to /arry.D

D"o& but . . .D :sabelle pushed her #ispy #hite2blond hair behind her ear. DAre you going to /arry +iss Peterson& 8n,le@D D$es& : a/. And you and Claire #ill li!e here #ith us and be the .irst o. our ,hildren. ?ould you li%e that@D :sabelle nodded. She bit her lip& blin%ed& then thre# her ar/s around Charles>s ne,%. D$es&D she sobbed. D$es& Papa& : #ould li%e that !ery /u,h.D Charles /ade the girls pro/ise to %eep the se,ret o. his betrothal to E//a until the ne0t day. Be didn>t #ant the entire household to %no# be.ore he told Aunt Bea and E//a>s .ather. hey #ould /a%e the .or/al announ,e/ent at tonight>s ball. 3irst& though& he needed to get ,leaned up. Be #as ,o!ered in dust and spider#ebsCand probably a .e# spiders. D:t too% .ore!er .or you to ,o/e out o. the #all&D E//a said. hey #ere #al%ing ba,% to their roo/s .ro/ the nursery. D$ou /ust ha!e been thereC Prinny s,ented you. Be #as bar%ing.D D$es& : heard hi/. :t too% /e a .e# /inutes to .igure out the release. :t>s a le!er& but it #as lo#er on the #all than : e0pe,ted& and you push it up& not do#n. :t #as also #ell oiled.D E//a darted a glan,e at hi/. D: noti,ed the door did not ,rea% li%e the one in /y roo/.D D$es. : suspe,t ha!ing you& "anny& and the girls sleep do#nstairs in!ited our /ysterious !isitor to /a%e the nursery .loor his no,turnal base o. operations.D D:>/ !ery glad you pushed that hea!y ,hair in .ront o. the door& thenCbut ho# /any other doors are there@D D: don>t %no#. : a/ de.initely assigning one o. the bra#nier .oot/en to #at,h Sto,%ley.D DBut #hat i. he>s not the ,ulprit@ And e!en i. he is& #hat ,ould he possibly #ant@D D: don>t %no#. At least #e don>t ha!e /u,h longer to #orry. On,e #e announ,e our betrothal& /ost o. /y guests #ill pa,% their port/anteau0 and .ind other .ields to hunt. he .o0 here has been ,aught.D DEood /orning& Charles. +iss Peterson.D Aunt Bea ,hose this /o/ent to step out o. her roo/. D?hat is this about .o0es being ,aught@D Charles sa# Aunt Bea .o,us on E//a>s le.t hand. Be>d #ager she ,ould spot the Knightsdale betrothal ring .ro/ the .ar side o. a ballroo/. DAunt& you are Aust the person #e #anted to spea% to. 5o you ha!e a /o/ent@D

D+y ti/e is ,o/pletely at your disposal& Charles. Please& step into /y sitting roo/.D DSplendid.D Charles let the #o/en pre,ede hi/& then stepped o!er the threshold and shut the door .ir/ly behind hi/. Aunt Bea>s sitting roo/ #as de,orated in pleasant shades o. green& a,,ented by a large& orange ,at on the #indo# seat. Jueen Bess ya#ned& stret,hed& and returned to napping. Aunt Bea eyed E//a>s hand again. DAs you /ay ha!e noted& Aunt& E//a is #earing the Knightsdale betrothal ring.D Aunt Bea bea/ed. D$es& : did noti,e. his is per.e,t. : a/ so happy.D She hugged E//a and then Charles and then Jueen Bess. Ber /aAesty #as not delighted to ha!e her sleep disturbed. She Au/ped do#n .ro/ the #indo# seat and stal%ed into the other roo/. D?hen shall #e /a%e the announ,e/ent@D Aunt Bea as%ed. DAt the ball tonight& : presu/e@D D hat #ould be best. Re!erend Peterson #ill be here .or dinner be.orehand. : had his per/ission to pay /y addresses& o. ,ourseCE//a and : #ill let hi/ %no# tonight that she has a,,epted /y suit.D DSplendidG And you>ll be /arried ne0t year in St. Eeorge>s& Bano!er S1uare.D Aunt ga!e a little s%ip re/inis,ent o. Claire. D:t #ill be the e!ent o. the Season.D D: a/ sorry to disappoint you& Aunt& but that #ill not be possible. ?e #ill be /arried at Knightsdale as soon as the banns are read.D Aunt Bea paused in her #alt- around her sitting roo/. D$ou ,an>t be /arried so soon. People #ill tal%.D D hey are #el,o/e to do so.D Aunt Bea turned to E//a. D+iss PetersonC E//aCsurely you #ant a big <ondon #edding@D DA,tually& <ady Beatri,e& : #ould be /u,h happier being /arried by /y .ather at Knightsdale. : ha!e ne!er been to <ondon. : #ould be o!er#hel/ed.D D?ell& yes& : see your point. But to be /arried so soon . . .D D: a/ t#enty2si0. here is no point in delaying.D >$es& #ell.D Aunt shot Charles a loo%. Be raised an eyebro# and ,lasped his hands behind his ba,%. She hesitated but then soldiered on. DE//a& : %no# you don>t ha!e a /other to

,ounsel you& so you do not understand the reper,ussions o. su,h a hasty #edding. he point is& dear& i. you are /arried in su,h a hurry& people #ill assu/e you ha!e anti,ipated your /arriage !o#s.D E//a turned as red as Aunt Bea>s /orning go#n. Aunt Bea loo%ed at Charles again. DAh. $es. ?ell& then. : guess #e>ll ha!e a #edding #ithin the /onth.D Charles grinned ba,% at her. D: do thin% that #ould be best.D Be /o!ed a#ay .ro/ the door. DOn a di..erent topi,& Aunt& ha!e you re/e/bered anything about +r. Sto,%ley@ $ou #ere saying the other e!ening that there #as so/ething .a/iliar about hi/.D Aunt nodded. DPlease& sit do#n.D She ,hose the large upholstered ,hairF Charles and E//a sat together on the settee. D: ,on.ess /y /ind has been on other /attersDCshe s/iled broadly at the/C D#hi,h ha!e been resol!ed to /y great satis.a,tion. "o#& as to +r. Sto,%leyDCAunt Bea .ro#ned at a large .loral painting on the #allCD: thin% he has so/e ,onne,tion to 8n,le Randall.D D+y Ereat28n,le Randall@D Charles leaned .or#ard& resting his elbo#s on his %nees. Be had ne!er dis,ussed Randall #ith anyone e0,ept Paul #hen they #ere playing pirate. Be /ight ha!e tried on,e& but his .ather>s abrupt rea,tion to his si/plest 1uestions dis,ouraged hi/ .ro/ pursuing the topi,. D:s it true Randall #as a pirate@D D: belie!e he #ould pre.er the ter/ >pri!ateer&> Charles& but yes& : thin% so. Randall #ent o.. to sea #hen he #as a boyCyou ne!er /et hi/& did you& E//a@D D"o& : don>t belie!e : did.D D$ou #ouldn>t ha!e&D Charles said. D he last ti/e Randall !isited #as the year : turned se!en. Be died shortly a.ter#ard. Bad a .e# too /any glasses o. blue ruin one night and #al%ed o.. the end o. a pier.D Aunt Bea snorted. D hat>s your .ather>s story.D D?as there another@ : ne!er heard it.D D"or did :.D Aunt Bea shrugged. D: Aust ne!er belie!ed it. Randall dran%& o. ,ourseC so/eti/es hea!ily. But he ,ould hold his li1uor. : do not thin% it possible he #as so drun% he didn>t %no# #here he #as. : thin% he #as helped into the harbor.D D$ou thin% Randall #as /urdered@D Charles ,ouldn>t %eep the sho,% .ro/ his !oi,e. D5id you tell /y .ather your suspi,ions@D DO. ,ourse : didCEeorge Aust laughed at /e. Be #as happy to ha!e Randall re/o!ed .ro/ his list o. responsibilities.D Aunt Bea turned to E//a. D+y brother and un,le did

not get along. ?e all gre# up togetherCRandall #as the sa/e age as Eeorge. 3ather died #hen : #as t#o and Eeorge .our& so Erand.ather raised us. +other #asn>t happy about the arrange/ent& either. Erand.ather>s se,ond #i.eC Randall>s /otherC#as a year or t#o younger than she. :t #as an a#%#ard situation all the #ay around.D Jueen Bess #andered ba,% into the roo/ and Au/ped into Aunt Bea>s lap. Aunt Bea absently stro%ed her ears. DRandall insisted Eeorge ,all hi/ >8n,le Randall&> : suppose be,ause it /ade Eeorge angry. Randall #as al#ays Ao%ing& and /y brother had no sense o. hu/or. ?hen Eeorge inherited the title& it #as e!en #orse. Randall #ould not gi!e Eeorge the respe,t he thought his due. : lo!ed Randall& but it #as al/ost a relie. #hen he le.t to go to sea.D DB//. : %ne# 3ather #asn>t delighted by Randall>s !isit&D Charles said& Dbut : didn>t thin% anything about it. 5elight #as not an e/otion #ith #hi,h /y .ather #as .a/iliar.D DE0a,tly. Eeorge #as a dry old sti,%&D Aunt Bea said. DAn angry& dry old sti,%. : o.ten #ished Randall& not Eeorge& #as /y brother.D DStill& : ,an>t see /y .ather being pleased so/eone /urdered his un,le& no /atter ho# /u,h he /ay ha!e disli%ed the /an.D D"o indeed. Eeorge #ould ha!e in!estigated thoroughly i. he>d thought Randall had been /urderedC /urder #as not an appropriate end .or a 5rays/ith. But a tragi, a,,identC that ,ould happen to anyone& e!en so/eone .ro/ su,h an e0alted .a/ily as the 5rays/iths o. Knightsdale. Eeorge a,,epted the easy& ob!ious e0planation.D DBut you did not&D E//a said. D"o.D Aunt Bea shoo% her head so that her gray sausage ,urls boun,ed. D"o& indeed.D She stro%ed Jueen Bess .or a .e# /inutes in silen,e. DRandall #as #orried #hen he #as last ho/e&D she said .inally. D:>d s#ear to it. Be #as drin%ing a lot.D DBe #as drun% /ost o. the ti/e&D Charles said. Aunt Bea sighed. D rue. hat #as unusual. So/ething #as bothering hi/.D She bit her lip. DBe e!en Ao%ed about dying. ?ell& : thought he #as Ao%ing& but then he had that odd little s,ulptor /a%e a bust o. hi/. Said he #ouldn>t li!e .ore!er& and he #anted to be ,ertain his pla,e in the 5rays/ith line #as re,orded .or posterity.D Aunt Bea>s !oi,e had gro#n slightly shrill. DAunt& there>s no need to tell us this& espe,ially i. it stirs up unhappy /e/ories.D

Aunt Bea blotted her eyes #ith her hand%er,hie.. 3or on,e she loo%ed all o. her si0ty years. D"o& : #ant to tell you& Charles. : don>t thin% o. Randall o.ten& but #hen : do& : .eel so sad. :t>s the un,ertainty that bothers /e the /ost. : .eel an inAusti,e has been done& that Randall>s ghost has not been appeased.D DSurely you don>t thin% his spirit #al%s the halls o. Knightsdale@D Charles #as happy E//a as%ed the 1uestion. Be hoped Aunt Bea #asn>t so addled she thought Knightsdale a,tually #as haunted. DO. ,ourse not& dear. : #as spea%ing .igurati!ely.D She s/iled and shoo% her head. D:. any spirit is #al%ing the halls o. Knightsdale& it /ust be Eeorge>s. Be #as li!id o!er that bust. :t did not suit his sense o. propriety to ha!e so/e un%no#n lo,al artist do the #or%. :. Randall #as deter/ined to add to the e..igies in the long gallery& Eeorge #anted to ha!e a #ell2regarded artist in .ro/ <ondon. Be /ost ,ertainly did not #ant in.erior #or% displayed at Knightsdale. But he lost that battleChe al#ays lost #hen he argued #ith Randall. :t did not i/pro!e his te/per.D Charles de,ided it #as ti/e to bring the ,on!ersation ba,% to the /ain point. DBut Sto,%ley& Aunt@D D hat is #hat is so .rustrating. :>/ al/ost ,ertain Randall said so/ething about the /an the last ti/e he #as ho/e& but : Aust ,annot re/e/ber #hat. : ha!e ra,%ed /y brain& : pro/ise you.D DBut& <ady Beatri,e& +r. Sto,%ley is not old enough to ha!e had anything to do #ith <ord Randall>s death.D D"o& o. ,ourse notC: did not /ean this +r. Sto,%ley. : i/agine it #as his .ather #ho/ Randall %ne#.D DBut ho# #ould they ha!e /et@D Charles snorted. D: ,an>t i/agine Sto,%ley is a /e/ber o. the ton.>D DRandall didn>t .re1uent ton e!ents& Charles. Be le.t .or the sea as a boy& re/e/ber.D Aunt Bea laughed. D: ,an no /ore pi,ture hi/ at Al/a,%>s than : ,an pi,ture Eeorge at a. . . a ,o//on brothel. An un,o//on brothel& #ell& perhaps. But no& Eeorge pre.erred to !isit +rs. Borden .or those needs.D Charles stared at his aunt. +rs. Borden@ he ni,e old lady #ho had li!ed in the ,ottage by the big oa% tree and gi!en hi/ le/on drops@ D: do thin% +r. Sto,%ley said his .a/ily #as in shipping&D E//a said. DPerhaps <ord Randall #or%ed on one o. the Sto,%ley .a/ily ships@D

DPsha#G : doubt Sto,%ley>s .a/ily e!er o#ned any ships. Be does not loo% li%e a /an #ho ,o/es .ro/ /oneyCand ship o#ning re1uires /oney.D DAnd :>/ ,ertain :>!e ne!er run into our +r. Sto,%ley be.ore.D Charles shoo% o.. the unsettling i/age o. his .ather and +rs. Borden. Be .o,used on Sto,%ley. Be>d ha!e re/e/bered the annoying t#iddlepoop i. he>d /et hi/ in o#n. D: should ha!e ,rossed paths #ith hi/ at so/e point i. he /o!es a/ong the ton.D DHery true.D Aunt Bea .ro#ned and stopped stro%ing Jueen Bess. Ber highness protested the negle,t& /eo#ing and butting her head against Aunt Bea>s hand. Aunt Bea ga!e her one long stro%e .ro/ her nose to the tip o. her tail. D: #ish : ,ould re/e/ber.D D: #ish : ,ould boot Sto,%ley out the door.D Charles did not ,are to ha!e a suspi,ious ,hara,ter under his roo.& espe,ially one #ho sho#ed any interest in E//a. Espe,ially i. he had a,,ess to her roo/ at night. ?ell& that #ould not be too /u,h o. a proble/. :. Sto,%ley de,ided to haunt E//a>s bed,ha/ber& he #as in .or a surprise. Charles did not intend to let E//a sleep alone again. D<ady Beatri,e&D E//a said& Ddid you %no# there #ere se,ret passages in the #alls o. Knightsdale@D DB//@D Aunt Bea>s /ind ob!iously #as still on the Sto,%ley proble/. DSe,ret passages@ : thought Eeorge had the/ nailed shut #hen he inherited the title.D DSo you did %no# about the/@D DO. ,ourse& Charles. hey really #eren>t se,retC#e used the/ o.ten enough to es,ape our lessons.D D: %ne# nothing about the/. : thought they #ere Aust another o. Randall>s drun%en tales.D Aunt Bea shrugged. DAs : said& : thought Eeorge had the/ all nailed shut. : suppose hidden passages did not sit #ell #ith his notions o. propriety& either. Euests ,ouldCand didCget up to all %inds o. i//oral beha!ior. ?hy do you as%@D DBe,ause so/eone is using the/ again.D

Chapter 1"
?ho #as using the hidden passages@ E//a pondered the 1uestion #hile Betty& <ady Eli-abeth>s /aid& dressed her hair .or the ball. Charles #as ,ertain it #as +r. Sto,%ley& but he did not li%e the /an. ?ell& she did not li%e hi/ either& but that did not /ean he #as snea%ing through the #alls o. Knightsdale. O. ,ourse& she had seen hi/ engage in so/e odd a,ti!ities. <oo%ing behind pi,tures #as not a nor/al o,,upation .or a guest. "or #as e0a/ining the statuary and stone ,onstru,tion o. the grotto 1uite so thoroughly. :t #as al/ost as i. he #ere loo%ing .or so/ething. But #hat@ :. only <ady Beatri,e ,ould re/e/ber #hat <ord Randall had said so /any years ago. E//a sighed. D5o ye not li%e yer hair& /iss@D DOh& no& Betty. :t>s 1uite ni,e.D E//a a,tually loo%ed at hersel. in the /irror then and gasped. DOh. Oh& /y. :t is /ore than ni,e& BettyCit is #onder.ul.D D?ell& : thought so.D E//a barely heard the /aid>s #ords. She #as staring at her re.le,tion. <ady Beatri,e had %indly o..ered to loan her Claudette. 3ortunately& <i--ie had been standing nearby and had seen E//a>s e0pression. She>d insisted on sending Betty instead. han% EodG "ot only did E//a .ind Claudette inti/idating& she did not #ant to go to her .irst ball loo%ing li%e <ady Beatri,e. But she ne!er thought she ,ould loo% li%e this. D: ha!e to go& /iss. : still ha!e to do +iss +argaret and <ady Eli-abeth.D DEo ahead& Betty. $ou ha!e #or%ed your /agi, here. han% you.D E//a %ept staring at hersel. as Betty le.t. he girl /ust thin% her a ,o/plete pea2goose& but she didn>t ,are. She loo%ed . . . #ell& as ,lose to beauti.ul as she ,ould e!er hope to ,o/e. Closer than she>d drea/t possible. Betty had ta/ed her #ild ,urls so they loo%ed elegant and . . . alluring. As i. they #ere ,asually ,aught up on her head& Aust #aiting .or a /an to ,o/e and plu,% a .e# pins& sending the/ tu/bling o!er her breasts. She .lushed. She %ne# #hi,h /an she hoped #ould do Aust that. And the blue satin ball go#n /ight be .our years old& but it loo%ed as goodCbetterCthan she re/e/bered it. ?ould Charles li%e it@ ?ould he be te/pted to see #hat #as barely hidden by the dress>s lo# ne,%@

She ,losed her eyes. She hoped so. She de.initely hoped so. She #ould lo!e to .eel his hands on her shoulders& her breasts. She i/agined his .ingers sliding o!er her& his lips .ollo#ing& tra,ing a line do#n to . . . Ber nipples hardened& and her body began to throb. D?hat a lo!ely #ay to greet /e& s#eetheart.D She .elt Charles>s breath s%i/ her ,ollarbone and his .ingers dip beneath her bodi,e to tease her nipples. She #anted his /outh there. She ar,hed ba,%& turned her head. Bis bree,hes #ere right by her ,hee%Chis tight& re!ealing bree,hes. She s/iled and put her hand o!er hi/. Be inhaled and Aer%ed his hips ba,%. DSo bold& E//a.D D:>/ sorCD D5on>t be& s#eetheart. : lo!e your boldnessC un.ortunately& at the /o/ent #e ,annot see #here it /ight lead us. ?e /ust attend this ball& and #e /ust loo% presentable #hile doing so. "o suspi,ious #rin%les or stains.D Be grinned do#n at her. DBut a.ter the ball& please .eel .ree to be as bold as you ,an i/agine. And i. your i/agination .alters& : shall be delighted to /a%e so/e suggestions.D Be nibbled her earlobe. D?ill you ,o/e to /y roo/ tonight& E//a@ +a%e lo!e #ith /e in the 5rays/ith an,estral bed@D DOh& yes.D <ust surged through her again& /a%ing ,oherent thought di..i,ult. D?hy do #e ha!e to go to the ball tonight@D DBe,ause it is your betrothal ball. Be,ause people #ill be s,andali-ed i. :& the host& don>t appear. And be,ause #e need to tell your .ather #e are getting /arried. : suspe,t he #ould li%e to %no#.D >D$es.D E//a too% a deep breath& trying to thin% o. so/ething other than Charles and the lo!ely& /agi,al thing he had hidden in his bree,hes. DE//a.D DB//@D She heard the serious note in his !oi,e. D+rs. Eraha/ #ill be there& too.D DOh.D E//a #aited .or the ,on.used /i0 o. e/otions that al#ays .looded her at the /ention o. +rs. Eraha/. <ust apparently le.t roo/ .or no other strong .eelings.

D+rs. Eraha/. $es.D Still nothing. She did re/e/ber ho# +rs. Eraha/ had tried to prote,t her #hen she had .elt besieged by the So,iety in the blue dra#ing roo/. D:t #ould be /u,h appre,iated by your .ather& :>/ sure& i. you ,ould /anage to be pleasant to +rs. Eraha/. : do thin% he #ould li%e your blessing& or at least your a,1uies,en,e& in their /arriage.D E//a e0pe,ted to bristle at the #ord D/arriage&D but again& she .elt littleCe0,ept a spurt o. e0,ite/ent at the thought o. her o#n /arriage. DAll right.D She #ondered i. the anger and hurt #ould bubble up in her again on,e she sa# +rs. Eraha/. Charles #ould ha!e /u,h pre.erred to strip E//a o. her lo!ely go#n& lay her on the bed& and sheath hi/sel. deep inside her. Be /ight ha!e done it& i. he had not %no#n the s,andal #ould be i//ense. And he did #ant to see her .ather and get the banns read as soon as possible. Bis betrothal ring on her .inger #as enough in his /ind to /a%e their bedroo/ a,ti!ities a,,eptable& but he #ould rather ha!e his #edding ring on her .inger be.ore he had his heir gro#ing in her #o/b. :. possible. Be #asn>t prepared to sleep alone to ensure that out,o/e. An Deight2/onthD babe #as .ine #ith hi/. Eod& she #as lo!ely tonight. ?hen he>d #al%ed in and seen her eyes ,losed& her head ba,%& her breasts high& her lo!ely nipples pebbling ,learly against the satin . .. And then she>d put her s/all hand on hi/. :t #as al/ost /ore than he ,ould bear #ithout bearing her dire,tly to bed. hat blue go#n #as obs,ene. :t didn>t lea!e /u,h to the i/aginationCor& rather& it pro/pted a /an to i/agine e!erything. "o /an had best do so tonight. Charles dragged his /ind a#ay .ro/ bedsheets and bare s%in. DE//a& : a,tually ,a/e here #ith a purpose.D Be rea,hed into his po,%et and pulled out the ne,%la,e he>d deposited there #hen he>d seen /ore enAoyable a,ti!ities .or his .ingers. > his goes #ith your ring. here>s a bra,elet and tiara& too& but : thin% this #ill be enough .or tonight.D Be looped the sapphires around her ne,% and .astened the ,lasp. DOh& Charles.D E//a put her .ingers on the stones. She shoo% her head. D hey are beauti.ul& but : ,an>t a,,ept the/.D DO. ,ourse you ,an. $ou are going to be /y #i.e& /y /ar,hioness.D :. anyone had told hi/ in <ondon he>d e!er say D#i.eD and D/ar,hionessD #ithout ,ursing& he>d ha!e ,alled the /an a liar. A/a-ing ho# things ,ould ,hange in su,h a short ti/e. D:. it>s any

,onsolation& :>/ not really gi!ing the/ to you. hey go #ith the title. : belie!e you>ll ha!e to gi!e the/ up to our son>s #i.e e!entually.D E//a blin%ed at hi/. D hat senten,e has too /any ne# ,on,epts .or /e to absorb.D D hen don>tCAust s/ile and #ear the ne,%la,e.D Be pulled her up into his ar/s& ,are.ul not to ,rush her dress& and brushed her lips #ith his. D<et>s go see i. your .ather has arri!ed.D E//a dis,o!ered that she did ha!e roo/ .or .eelings other than lust. She stood outside the study door and gripped Charles>s ar/. E0,ite/ent& #orry& e/barrass/ent& ,ontrition& and lo!e all ,hurned in her sto/a,h. D han% you .or putting Papa in your study. : ,ould not ha!e borne telling hi/ in .ront o. anyone else.D D+rs. Eraha/ /ay be #ith hi/. ?ould you li%e /e to as% her to step out@D D$es. "o. Oh& : don>t %no#.D She ,he#ed on her lip. D: don>t %no# #hat : .eel any/ore.D D"o@ ?ell& : suggest #e Aust go in& then. : belie!e your .ather #ill grant you the lu0ury o. any .eeling that presents itsel.. : %no# : #illCunless you de,ide to .eel a strong a!ersion to /y presen,e.D D:/possible.D DEood. hen a.ter you& +iss Peterson.D E//a put her hand out 1ui,%ly& stopping Charles. D$ou don>t thin% . . . @ : /ean& they #ouldn>t . . . Should #e %no,% .irst@D Charles grinned. D: doubt your .ather #ill be doing anything in /y study e0,ept e0a/ining /y boo% ,olle,tion& E//a.D DAre you ,ertain@ he door is ,losed.D D rue. And : #ould guess +rs. Eraha/ doesn>t ha!e a ,haperone in there #ith her.D DE0a,tlyGD DAnd they are a#aiting our arri!alC: do not thin% they #ill be in an espe,ially a/orous /ood. But the thought does ha!e possibilities. Are you hinting that : need to guard /y !irtue any ti/e #e .ind oursel!es alone behind a ,losed door@D DO. ,ourse notGD

DBo# disappointing.D Charles opened the door and E//a stepped into the study. Ber .ather #as alone& standing by the des%& hands in his po,%ets. Be loo%ed . . . lonely and a little sad. Older. Bis shoulders #ere a bit stooped. She noti,ed that his hair #as grayCsurely it hadn>t Aust turned ,olor in the .e# days she>d been at Knightsdale@ ?hen #as the last ti/e she had really loo%ed at hi/@ Bad she e!er@ DPapa.D Be turned and s/iled. DE//aCand <ord Knightsdale.D DPleaseCCharles& sir. $ou are going to be /y papa2in2la#& you %no#. Can>t ha!e you >/y lording> /e all the ti/e.D E//a #at,hed her .ather>s .a,e light up. Be loo%ed at her. DE//a@ Are you going to /arry Charles@D D$es& Papa& : a/.D ?hy #ere her .eet glued to the .loor@ She should be .lying into her .ather>s ar/s. Be ,ertainly e0pe,ted it. D?here>s +rs. Eraha/@D DShe is #aiting in another roo/. She thought . . . #ell& she>s not part o. our .a/ily& really.D DShe should be.D Papa>s .a,e gre# !ery still. D?hat@D D: said she should be. +rs. Eraha/ should be part o. our .a/ily& Papa& i. you lo!e her. 5o you lo!e her@D D8/.D Papa too% a deep breath. D$es& : lo!e her& but neither o. us #anted . . . $ou are /y daughter& E//a. +y .irst loyalty should be to you.D D"o.D E//a #as sho,%ed to reali-e she belie!ed #hat she #as saying. She #asn>t Aust !oi,ing #ords to set her .ather .ree. D"o& : thin% your .irst loyalty should be to yoursel.& Papa. At least in this ,ase. And to +rs. Eraha/CBarriet.D E//a too% a deep& shuddering breath. D+eg thin%s you should /arry Barriet. She sa# it .irstCthat you s/ile /ore no#. hat you>re happier.D DE//aCD

D hat you>re e0,ited by so/ething besides your old boo%s and translations. : thin% she>s right. : should ha!e seen it& too& but : #as too sel.ish and :>/ sorry. : ne!er /eant to %eep you .ro/ .ollo#ing your heart.D ears strea/ed do#n E//a>s .a,e. he %not in her sto/a,h loosened. ?hen her .ather opened his ar/s& her .eet /o!ed at last. She .le# to hi/& opening her o#n ar/s& hugging hi/ hard. She loo%ed up and sa# that he #as ,rying& too.

D?hat. . . interesting ne#s& +iss Peterson.D <ady Oldston ,ho%ed on her #ords& li%e Jueen Bess ,oughing up a hairball. D:ndeed.D +rs. Pelha/ sni..ed. D: ne!er #ould ha!e i/agined . . . but& then& you are a ,hildhood .riend& are you not@D D$es. An old .riend.D <ady Oldston s/iled #hen she e/phasi-ed old& D here is so/ething ,o/.orting in .a/iliarity& : suppose.D he +isses Oldston and Pelha/ si/ply glared. E//a tried to s/ile. At least the So,iety ladies #ere happy about her betrothal. hey ,lustered around her a.ter the <ondon ladies had le.t. D?ell done&D +rs. Begley said. DElad to see you too% /y ad!i,e.D D?e>ll be loo%ing .or an heir in nine /onths> ti/e&D +iss Ra,hel 3arthington said. DOr soonerGD +iss Esther elbo#ed +iss Ra,hel& and they giggled. D: see you spent your ti/e in the study #ell&D +iss Russell #hispered. She loo%ed up& then du,%ed her head again. DBe>s ,o/ing.D DA little de,oru/& ladies& i. you please&D +rs. Begley said. hey loo%ed at Charles and s/iled. Bis eyebro#s rose& but he s/iled ba,%. DEood e!ening& ladies. :. you>ll e0,use E//a& she and : are supposed to open the ball.D DCertainly.D DEo right ahead.D DOh /y& yes.D

DBe does #ear his bree,hes #ell.D +iss Esther>s ,o//ent ,arried a,ross the ballroo/ in the hush be.ore the or,hestra stru,% its opening note. D: belie!e : a/ blushing&D Charles said& leading E//a into the dan,e. D?ell& it>s true.D E//a .lushed. he i/age o. #hat e0a,tly his bree,hes ,o!ered .lashed into her /ind. DB//.D Charles>s !oi,e dropped lo#er. D$ou ha!e turned a lo!ely shade o. pin%& s#eetheart. : do #onder #hat thought ,aused you to ,olor up so ni,ely. ?ill you tell /e@D D"o. : ,ouldn>t possibly.D She #as ,ertain lightning #ould stri%e her i. she did. Or #orse& one o. those harpies& <ady Oldston or +rs. Pelha/& #ould hear her. D: %no# #hat :>/ thin%ing.D Charles s#ung her through a turn. D:>/ thin%ing ho# beauti.ul you loo% in that dressCbut ho# you #ill loo% e!en /ore beauti.ul #ithout it.D DCharlesGD D:>/ i/agining you spread na%ed on /y bed tonight.D DCharlesGD She /ust ha!e s1uea%ed louder. he 5u%e o. Al!ord glan,ed at her& and his du,hess s/iled. D$our ,rea/y s%in against /y sheets& your beauti.ul hair spread o!er /y pillo# . . .D DCharlesGD E//a glan,ed around. "o one appeared to be o!erhearing Charles>s s,andalous #ords. D. . . your glorious& so.t breasts& their nipples hard& begging .or /y /outh . . .D E//a .elt her %nees #obble and the hot& #et throbbing start in her ,enter. D. . . your #aist& your hips& the lo!ely nest o. ,urls bet#een your thighsCand those thighsG hose s/ooth& #hite thighs spread #ide& #el,o/ing& be,%oning . . .D DCharles.D E//a #hispered. She ,ould barely get his na/e past her lips. o hear hi/ say su,h things on the ballroo/ .loor& #here anyone /ight o!erhear. . . D: #ant to bury /y .a,e bet#een your thighs& to s/ell you& taste youCD DCharles& i. you don>t stop right this /inute& : #ill. . . : #ill. . . ?ell& : don>t %no# #hat : #ill do& but it #ill be highly i/proper and e0tre/ely e/barrassing.D DReally@ hat sounds pro/ising.D

DCharles . . .D DOh& all right. : #ill beha!eCuntil later& #hen : ha!e you in /y bed.D Be put his lips by her ear as the /usi, dre# to a ,lose. D hen : pro/ise to /isbeha!e /ore than you ,an possibly i/agine.D DOh.D E//a hoped her .a,e #as not as red as it .elt She dan,ed #ith the Earl o. ?estbroo%e and the 5u%e o. Al!ord. S1uire Begley had a dan,e& as did her .ather. hen +r. Sto,%ley .ound her. DCongratulations& +iss Peterson. $ou #on the grand pri-e& didn>t you@D DE0,use /e@D D"o# : %no# #hy you ne!er .ound /y roo/Cyou #ere too busy in <ord Knightsdale>s ,ha/ber.D D+r. Sto,%ley& you are insulting.D +r. Sto,%ley shrugged. D$our pardon. "o insult intended. ?e all /ust ha!e an eye to the /ain ,han,e& /ustn>t #e@D Bis eyes dropped to her throat. D:nteresting ne,%la,e.D Be stared so intently& it #ould ha!e been e/barrassing e0,ept it #as ,lear it #as the Ae#els and not her person that attra,ted his attention. > han% you.D DBetrothal gi.t@D D:t is part o. the Knightsdale set& yes.D DB//.D he /usi, began. E!ery ti/e the steps brought her ba,% to +r. Sto,%ley& his eyes #ere on the Knightsdale sapphires. :t #as /ost pe,uliar. She #as delighted #hen the /usi, .inally dre# to a ,lose. She #as beginning to .eel li%e a /useu/ display& though she doubted e!en the /ost interesting arti.a,t got the undi!ided attention +r. Sto,%ley #as la!ishing on the Knightsdale ne,%la,e. She #as .anning hersel. by one o. the #indo#s to the garden later #hen a ser!ant brought her a note. D han% you.D She too% the .olded paper .ro/ the tray he o..ered. She didn>t re,ogni-e the /anC he #as one o. the te/porary help brought on e0pressly .or the ball.

She didn>t re,ogni-e the hand#riting& either& but she #asn>t .o,using on that as she read the short /essage. Claire needs you in the nursery. Co/e 1ui,%ly. ?hy the nursery@ Claire shouldn>t be in the nursery this late. ?hat ,ould be the /atter@ ?here #as "anny@ E//a tapped the paper against her hand. :t didn>t /atterCi. Claire #anted her& she #ould go. Perhaps the little girl Aust needed so/e attention& a good2night %iss. E//a #ould slip out and see #hat #as a/iss. She>d be gone only a /o/ent. "o one #ould /iss her. She hurried up the stairs. DClaire@ Claire& it>s +a/a Peterson. ?here are you@D he nursery #as dar% and 1uiet. oo 1uiet. So/ething #as #rong. She ,aught her breath. She #as 1uite alone. She should ha!e told Charles #here she #as going. She should ha!e had hi/ ,o/e #ith her. At least she should ha!e stopped by "anny>s roo/ on her #ay up the stairs. She turned to lea!e. D: don>t thin% so.D +r. Sto,%ley>s hand slapped o!er her /outh and his ar/ pulled her ba,% tight against his body. 3or a s/all /an& he #as !ery strong. D: ha!e a %ni.e& +iss Peterson.D E//a .elt so/ething sharp pri,% her side& right under her le.t breast. D: #ill sti,% you i. you /a%e the slightest noise. "od i. you understand /e.D E//a nodded. DEood.D Be released her but %ept his %ni.e against her side. D"o#& !ery ,are.ully& re/o!e that lo!ely ne,%la,e.D E//a .u/bled #ith the ,lasp. DAre you the one #ho has been using the se,ret passages& +r. Sto,%ley@D D$es& not that they ha!e pro!en at all help.ul. Burry up.D D: a/ trying. :t is not easy.D E//a>s .ingers #ere sha%ing too /u,h to #or% the ,lasp .ree. D:s Claire here@D DClaire@D

D: got a /essageCD D hat #as Aust to get you up here. As .ar as : %no#& your little Claire is sleeping soundly in her bed. Burry up #ith that ne,%la,e.D E//a .elt +r. Sto,%ley>s %ni.e pressing harder into her side. She too% a deep breath& ,losed her eyes& and ,on,entrated. 3inally she .elt the ,lasp ,o/e .ree. +r. Sto,%ley grabbed the ne,%la,e. D ell /e #here Knightsdale got this.D Be pun,tuated his 1uestion #ith another stab o. his %ni.e. D?here>s his sa.e@D D: don>t %no#. Be had the ne,%la,e in his po,%et. : ne!er sa# a sa.e.D DB//. : guess :>ll Aust ha!e to as% hi/ /ysel..D Be grabbed her right hand and t#isted it behind her ba,%& %eeping his %ni.e under her breast. D: belie!e that>s a ,on!ersation : shall enAoy.D E//a tried to %eep .ro/ pani,%ing. D: don>t understand. :. you are Aust a thie.CD E//a su,%ed in her breath as +r. Sto,%ley Aer%ed her ar/ higher. D: a/ not Aust a thie.. : a/ not a thie. at all. his belongs to /e.D D he ne,%la,e@D D"o.D Be pushed her .arther into the nursery. D"ot this ne,%la,e. Others. "e,%la,es and earbobs and sti,%pins. Rings. iaras. : ,an>t .ind the/. :>!e loo%ed. Bloody hell& :>!e loo%ed. : %no# they>re here so/e#here. :>ll get Knightsdale to tell /e. :>ll sho# hi/ your ne,%la,e and tell hi/ he #on>t see you again i. he doesn>t gi!e /e the Ae#els. : thin% he>ll tal% 1ui,%ly. :>!e seen the #ay he loo%s at you.D E//a tried to slo# their progress. ?here #as +r. Sto,%ley ta%ing her@ D: still don>t understand. here are Ae#els hidden at Knightsdale@D D$es. Randall stole the/ .ro/ /y .ather.D DAre you ,ertainCD E//a eyed the ,andlesti,% by the s,hoolroo/ shel!es. Could she . . . @ Be Aer%ed her ar/ again. D5on>t e!en thin% about it. :>d rather not %ill you& but : #ill i. : ha!e to. :>!e %illed be.ore& so don>t thin% : ha!en>t the sto/a,h .or it.D +r. Sto,%ley sho!ed the hea!y ,hair a#ay .ro/ the door to the hidden passage. D$ou ,ouldn>t ha!e %illed <ord RandallCyou #ere too young.D

Be pushed E//a against the #all& holding her there #ith the #eight o. his body #hile he rea,hed up #ith his le.t hand and .elt along one o. the high shel!es. DO. ,ourse : didn>t %ill hi/Cthat #as /y .ather.D D?illia/@D E//a .elt si,%. Bad +r. Sto,%ley %illed the /an Charles had assigned to #at,h hi/@ D he .oot/an@ "o& : Aust %no,%ed hi/ out. +en& espe,ially big bra#ny idiots li%e your ?illia/& underesti/ate /y 1ui,%ness and strength. Be>s trussed up sa.ely in /y #ardrobe. Ah.D he door s#ung open. E//a stared at the dirty& dar%& spider2.illed passage. +r. Sto,%ley #as not going to /a%e her go in there& #as he@ D: %illed the present /ar1uis>s brother& o. ,ourseC and his #i.e and ser!ants. : paid At#orthy #ell to spy on the/Che told /e they had ta%en the Ae#els to :taly. : tore that ,arriage apart& #ent through all their bloody belongings. At#orthy lied. Be /eant to steal the Ae#els hi/sel.. Be ad/itted it be.ore : s%e#ered hi/.D +r. Sto,%ley>s %ni.e pri,%ed E//a again. his ti/e she #as ,ertain it had dra#n blood. D: see.D D"ot .or long.D +r. Sto,%ley sho!ed her in the s/all o. her ba,%. She stu/bled into the passage. D: hope you don>t /ind the dar%& +iss Peterson. : negle,ted to lea!e you a ,andle.D DBut& you ,an>tCD DAh& but : ,an.D Be sla//ed the door in her .a,e. She heard the s,rape o. the hea!y ,hair being pushed ba,% into pla,e. She bit her lip. She #ould not gi!e +r. Sto,%ley the satis.a,tion o. hearing her s,rea/.

Chapter 1#
?here the hell #as E//a@ Charles loo%ed o!er the ballroo/ again. Could he ha!e /issed her@ She #as short. DAunt& ha!e you seen E//a@D DB//. "o# that you /ention it& no& : ha!en>t. Perhaps she>s in the ladies> retiring roo/. :>/ sure she>ll be ba,% shortly.D Charles nodded and #ent o.. to play host& as%ing +iss Russell to dan,e. Be>d already partnered ea,h o. the 3arthington t#ins. At least he hoped he had dan,ed #ith ea,h one and not Aust one t#i,e. hey had dressed e0a,tly ali%e tonight& e!en do#n to the sa/e ,olor ribbon in their hair. +iss Russell #as too inti/idated by his presen,e or too polite to obAe,t #hen he spent /ost o. their dan,e s,anning the ballroo/ .or E//a. Be did not see her. Surely no #o/an ,ould spend thirty /inutes or /ore in the retiring roo/@ Be hadn>t seen Sto,%ley& either. 5a/n. Be #as glad he>d put ?illia/ to #at,hing the /an. he .oot/an #as an a/ateur pugilist. Be should be able to handle Sto,%ley. Still& he>d be happier i. he sa# Sto,%ley>s ugly .a,e in the ballroo/. Be deposited +iss Russell #ith the 3arthington t#ins at the end o. their set and #ent in sear,h o. the 5u,hess o. Al!ord. Be>d as% Sarah to loo% .or E//a. Be .ound her #ith her husband and Robbie. DAh& the ne#ly betrothed.D Ia/es grinned. DCongratulations& Charles. : highly re,o//end the /arried state.D Robbie rolled his eyes. D:>/ going to ha!e to .ind ne# .riends. $ou are both be,o/ing as dull as dit,h2#ater.D DPerhaps you should ,onsider Aoining us.D Ia/es grinned. Robbie shoo% his head. D"ot :. :>/ too young .or parson>s /ousetrap.D Be laughed. D?here is E//a& Charles@ 3/ surprised she>s not at your side.D D: #as #ondering the sa/e thing. Ba!e any o. you seen her@D D"o& : don>t thin% so.D Sarah .ro#ned. D?ould you li%e /e to ,he,% the retiring roo/@D DPlease.D

DAre you #orried so/ething has happened to E//a& Charles@ DIa/es as%ed as Sarah hurried out o. the roo/. D"o. ?ell& yes. : don>t see Sto,%ley either.D Charles re/inded hi/sel. ?illia/ #as shado#ing Sto,%ley& but the thought did little to settle his ,hurning sto/a,h. DSurely you ,an>t thin% E//a #ould pre.er Sto,%ley to you@D Robbie too% another glass o. ,ha/pagne .ro/ a passing ser!ant. DShe>s not so Aingle2brained.D D"o& : don>t thin% that.D D$ou thin% Sto,%ley poses so/e danger@D Ia/es>s tone #as sharp. DPerhaps.D Charles ,ould tell Ia/es #as thin%ing o. his ,ousin& Ri,hard& #ho had %idnapped and al/ost raped Sarah in the spring. D:>/ ,ertain it>s nothing li%e you .a,ed. : Aust don>t li%e the /an.D ?here #as E//a@ Be loo%ed around the ballroo/ again. Surely she should be ba,% no#. DAnd@D Robbie as%ed. DAnd@D D here is ob!iously so/ething else you are not telling us.D Charles shrugged. D?ell& there ha!e been so/e odd o,,urren,es.D DOdd o,,urren,es@D Ia/es>s eyebro#s shot up. D$es. So/eone has been using Knightsdale>s hidden passages.D Robbie ,ho%ed on his ,ha/pagne. D: didn>t %no# Knightsdale had hidden passages.D D"either did :& so #hoe!er is pro#ling the estate %no#s /ore about it than : do.D D?ell& that>s not a surprise.D Robbie too% another sip. DBoth your .ather and your brother %ept you in the dar% there.D D o be .air& : #asn>t /u,h interested in Knightsdale a..airs.D Be .elt a tap on his ar/ and turned to see Sarah. She did not ha!e E//a #ith her. D:>/ sorry& Charles. : ,ouldn>t .ind her. : did as% a ser!ant. Be said she>d re,ei!ed a note and le.t a hal. hour or /ore ago.D D5a/n. 8h& your pardon& Sarah.D Charles did not li%e ha!ing E//a and Sto,%ley both /issing. ?ho #ould ha!e sent E//a a note@

Be .elt Ia/es>s hand on his shoulder. DCan #e help& Charles@ Robbie and : #ill be happy to loo% .or E//a.D DOr Sto,%ley&D Robbie said. D"o. :t is probably only a ,oin,iden,e that they are both absent. +ost li%ely one o. /y nie,es #anted E//a. :>ll Aust go upstairs to ,he,%. :>/ sure there>s nothing to #orry about.D DAll right&D Ia/es said. DBut i. you>re not ba,% in hal. an hour& Robbie and : are ,o/ing a.ter you.D D:>ll be ba,%Cbut yes& i. :>/ not& :>ll be happy .or your assistan,e.D Charles tried to #al% sedately through the ballroo/C no need to gi!e <ady Oldston& +rs. Pelha/& or the other so,iety tabbies any tidbit o. gossip to ,he# on. On,e he ,leared the door& he pi,%ed up his pa,e. By the ti/e he rea,hed the stair,ase& he #as running& ta%ing the stairs t#o at a ti/e. Be rea,hed the long gallery and stopped. here #as a pistol pointed at the ,enter o. his ,hest. +r. Sto,%ley s/iled. DIust the /an : #as loo%ing .or&D he said. E//a ,ounted slo#ly to ten& then .u/bled in the dar% .or the le!er Charles had said #as there. She #ished no# she had as%ed /ore 1uestionsCshe #ished she had as%ed to see the le!er. Be had said it #as lo#er on the #all than he e0pe,ted& but he #as taller than she. ?here #as it@ So/ething ,ra#led a,ross her hand. She s,rea/ed& Au/ping ba,%& bu/ping into the pas2 sage>s ba,% #all. So/ething .il/y brushed her .a,e. 5ear Eod. Spiders. She ,ould not thin% o. spiders. She #ould not. he real spider #as Sto,%ley. :. she did not %eep her #its about her& Sto,%ley #ould entrap Charles in his #eb. he /an #as /ad. And a /urderer. here #as no ti/e .or a .it o. the !apors. She stepped up to the door again and ,are.ully .elt all around it. here& on the right side Cthe le!er. Charles said to push it up& not do#n. :t /o!ed easily. he door openedC barely. E//a sho!ed as hard as she ,ould. :t #as hopeless. he door #ould not /o!e another in,h. :t #as se,urely blo,%ed by the hea!y ,hair Charles and then +r. Sto,%ley had pushed in .ront o. it. "o oneC,ertainly not sheC#as going to get out o. the passage this #ay.

She ,ould try shouting& but there #as no one on this .loorCno one to hear her until "anny and the girls ,a/e upstairs in the /orning. By then it #ould be too late. +r. Sto,%ley #ould be gone and CharlesCshe #ouldn>t thin% about Charles. She #ould Aust ha!e to .ind another door. She #ould ha!e to /a%e her #ay along this bla,%& dirty& spider2.illed passage. She had the sin%ing .eeling Charles>s li.e depended on it. She ran her hands ,are.ully around this door so she ,ould re,ogni-e an opening by .eel alone. here #as no hope o. seeing anything in this stygian dar%. She #ished again she had as%ed Charles /ore 1uestions. ?ere there other doors on this le!el@ :. the passages had been built to help the .a/ily es,ape& it #as unli%ely. here #ere no other .a/ily roo/s up here. ?hi,h /eant she #ould ha!e to des,end to the ne0t .loor& probably not by stair,ase. She had best plan on doing so/e ,li/bing. She #as happy the ne,% o. her beauti.ul ball go#n #as so lo#Cit /ade #iggling out o. it so/e#hat easier. he thought that this e0posed /ore o. her person to spiders #as one she .ir/ly sho!ed aside. She #ould #orry about spiders a.ter she had #arned Charles o. Sto,%ley>s /adness. She put her hand on the #all and shu..led to#ard the /ain hall. She hoped. :t #ould be so easy to get lost in the dar%. She sho!ed that thought a#ay also. She #anted to /o!e .aster& but she .or,ed hersel. to be patient. So/e#here ahead #as the #ay do#n to the ne0t .loorCshe #ould not do Charles any good i. she too% it .lying head .irst. :n a /o/ent& she #as glad o. her ,aution. Ber lead .oot slid into air. She pulled it ba,% 1ui,%ly& leaning hea!ily against the #all& heart pounding. On,e her legs stopped tre/bling& she stooped and ran her hands o!er the ground. here #as a ladder. She grasped it tightly and ,are.ully ,li/bed do#n deeper into the dar%ness. ?hen her .oot tou,hed the ground& she sighed& relie. /a%ing her #ea%. She ,lung to the ladder .or a /o/ent& gi!ing her heart ti/e to slo# its #ild beating. hen she turned. And #al%ed straight into a huge spider#eb. Charles s#ore he heard E//a s,rea/ing so/e#here& though Sto,%ley sho#ed no signs he>d heard anything. Perhaps it #as his i/agination. he /ind did odd things #hen .a,ed #ith a loaded gun.

D?here is E//a@D Sto,%ley shrugged. D8pstairs. : ha!en>t hurt her . . . yet. Cooperate and : #on>t ha!e to.D Charles tried to ,ontrol his anger. D?hat do you #ant@D :. he ,ould %eep the /an tal%ing .or thirty /inutes& Robbie and Ia/es #ould ,o/e ,harging up the stairs. hey #ere /en o. their #ord. D: #ant the Ae#els Randall stole .ro/ /y .ather.D DIe#els@ Sto,%ley& : don>t %no# #hat you are tal%ing about.D D5on>t lie.D Charles did not ,are .or the #ay Sto,%ley>s gun Au/ped #hen he #as angry. Be hoped this pistol did not ha!e a hair trigger. D:>/ not. : really do not %no# #hat you are tal%ing about. : #as only se!en years old #hen Randall diedC he #as /y great2un,le and at sea /ost o. his li.e.D Charles /o!ed ,asually a#ay .ro/ Sto,%ley>s gun. D$ou %no# .ar /ore about Knightsdale than : do. he hidden passages& .or instan,e. : did not %no# they really e0istedF you& on the other hand& appear to be inti/ately .a/iliar #ith the/. Bo# is that@D Sto,%ley shrugged& .ollo#ing hi/ to#ard the /arble 5rays/iths. Charles hoped to lure hi/ ,lose enough to %no,% one o. the busts on to hi/. :t #asn>t a brilliant plan& but he didn>t ha!e /u,h to #or% #ith. D+y .ather had a diagra/ in his papers. Be and Randall #ere partners.D Sto,%ley snorted. D5a #as a .ool to thin% he ,ould trust one o. Randall>s %ind. hey #ere supposed to share the Ae#els. Randall too% the/. hought his aristo,rati, nephe# #ould prote,t hi/. ?ell& his .an,y nephe# #asn>t there to ,at,h hi/ #hen he stu/bled into the harbor& #as he@D D: #onder i. poor Randall had a little help into the #ater.D DBloody right he did. :. /y da had had an oun,e o. sense& he>d ha!e sna..led the Ae#els be.ore he bashed Randall on the head.D DB//. hat #as /ore than t#enty years ago& ho#e!er. : .ind your sudden interest so/e#hat pe,uliar.D Sto,%ley #as standing ne0t to Ereat28n,le Randall>s bust. :t #ould be .itting i. that #as the 5rays/ith s,ulpture to ta%e hi/ do#n. Charles stepped ,loser. D+o!e ba,%.D Sto,%ley /otioned #ith his pistol. Charles /o!ed ba,%. :t #as un#ise to argue #ith an ar/ed /an.

D:t ain>t so sudden. +y da died in the spring. Surprised he li!ed that long.D Sto,%ley .ro#ned. DEod& #hat #e ,ould ha!e done #ith those Ae#elsG :. :>d %no#n about the/& you ,an be sure :>d ha!e been here sooner. But : didn>t %no#. : only .ound out about the/ #hen : .ound 5a>s papers in a bo0 under his bed.D Bis !oi,e dropped to a /utter& but he %ept his gun up and pointed at Charles. DBloody hell. : thought your brother had the Ae#els #ith hi/. ?ent to :taly& tore that da/n ,arriage apart loo%ing .or the/. Knightsdale tried to be a heroF his #i.e s,rea/ed li%e a bansheeCshot her .irst to shut her up. Bad to %ill the ser!ants& too. And then the bloody Ae#els #eren>t there.D Be #a!ed his gun at Charles. D hey ha!e to be here& da/n it. hey ha!e to. ?hy ,an>t : .ind the/@D Charles /o!ed ,loser to Ereat28n,le Randall>s bust. D: said /o!e ba,%& you bastard.D Sto,%ley>s gun pointed s1uarely at Charles>s ,hest. D:. you #ant to li!e& tell /e #here : ,an .ind the bloody Ae#els.D Charles /easured the distan,e bet#een hi/ and the bust. Sto,%ley #as standing right ne0t to it& but that did Charles little good. 8nless Sto,%ley #as an abys/al shot& Charles #ould be dead be.ore he ,ould get a .inger on Ereat28n,le Randall. Apparently thirty /inutes had not yet elapsedChe did not hear Robbie and Ia/es pounding up the stairs to his res,ue. D al%& da/n it.D Charles too% a deep breath. D:>/ a.raid #e ha!e a /inor proble/& +r. Sto,%ley. : truly ha!e no idea #here these Ae#els are.D D<iar. Eodda/ned liar.D Sto,%ley raised his pistol and pointed it dire,tly bet#een Charles>s eyes. D$ou>!e told your last lie& Knightsdale.D Sanity ,a/e ba,% to E//a gradually. She shuddered& ,lasping her hands together tightly to stop the tre/bling. She had gotten the last strand o. sti,%y #eb o.. her .a,e. She #as ,ertain o. it& but she still .elt its horrible& nasty tou,h. ?ere there still threads o. it in her hairCthreads and . . . spiders@ he /adness threatened to s#allo# her again. She ,ould not let it. She had to get out o. there. She had to .ind Charles. But #here #as she@ She had ,o/pletely lost any sense o. dire,tion #hen she #al%ed into that #eb. 5ear Eod& #hen she had .elt the sti,%y threads all o!er her .a,e& she had turned

into a /indless ani/al. She had s,rea/ed and Au/ped and spun as i. she ,ould sha%e hersel. .ree. She>d s,rubbed her .a,e #ith her hands& then rubbed her hands against the ,orridor #alls trying to get any hint o. spider#eb o... She shuddered. She #ould pi,% a dire,tion. Any dire,tion. She #ould go as .ar as she ,ould& then she #ould try another #ay. Pani,%ing did no good. She edged along the #all. Al/ost i//ediately she heard /en>s !oi,es. She slid her .eet a little .aster o!er the .loor. here #as no guarantee that she #ould .ind a door by these /en& but perhaps she ,ould bang on the #all and get their attention. She ,ould tell the/ about +r. Sto,%ley. hey ,ould #arn Charles. he !oi,es #ere getting louder. han% Eod. She #as going in the right dire,tion. She shu..led .aster and her .ingers bu/ped against an upright pie,e o. #ood. :t #as the edge o. a door. She sagged against it in relie.. And heard shouting. She pressed her ear .lat on the #all. :t #as +r. Sto,%ley. Be #as ,lose& Aust on the other side o. the #all. She ,ould al/ost /a%e out his #ords. hey sounded angry& threatening. She heard Charles>s ,al/ response. +r. Sto,%ley shouted ba,%. She #as ,ertain that in a .e# /inutes so/ething !ery bad #as going to happen. She s,ra/bled .or the door& her .ingers .lying do#n to .ind the lat,h. :t #asn>t there. Pani, surged through her. She .or,ed hersel. to ,on,entrate only on the door. here. he ,at,h #as Aust a little .arther to the right. She pulled up on it. "othing happened. his door had not been opened in years. Sto,%ley shouted again. his ti/e she ,ould /a%e out the #ords. D$ou>!e told your last lie& Knightsdale.D She had run out o. ti/e. 5esperate& she yan%ed up on the lat,h and .lung hersel. against the door. his ti/e& it ga!e& s#inging open. She heard a ,rash and then an e0plosion as she tu/bled out o. the passage and onto the .loor. Charles loo%ed do#n the barrel o. Sto,%ley>s gun. Be %ne# he ,ould not stall any longer. Be hoped .or a /ira,le and readied hi/sel. to di!e to the side #hen the /an pulled the trigger. A /ira,le arri!ed. Part o. the #all behind Sto,%ley .le# open& %no,%ing Ereat28n,le Randall>s bust into Sto,%ley>s ar/ Aust as Sto,%ley .ired. he gun dis,harged har/lessly into the portrait o. the .irst /ar1uis. Charles ta,%led Sto,%ley& sho!ing hi/ on to his sto/a,h and t#isting his ar/ up behind his ba,%.

D5a/n. ?e /issed all the .un& Robbie.D he 5u%e o. Al!ord appeared at the top o. the stairs. D: told you your #at,h #as slo#& Ia/es.D Robbie turned to Charles. D:. he>d listened to /e& #e>d ha!e been here .i!e /inutes ago. But no& the 5u%e o. Al!ord ,ould not possibly ha!e an i/per.e,t ti/epie,e.D D: #as #ondering #hat #as %eeping you.D Charles Aer%ed up on Sto,%ley>s ar/ as the /an bu,%ed under hi/. D?ould you ,are to ,o/e help /e deal #ith this .ello#@D DBe delighted to& #ouldn>t #e& Ia/es@ ?hat e0a,tly happened@D D:>/ not ,ertain. :. you>ll ta%e ,harge o. Sto,%ley. . .D D. . . you ,an ,lean up the /ess.D Ia/es nodded. D: 1uite understand. So untidy to ha!e e/eralds and dia/onds lying about& isn>t it& +iss Peterson@D Charles t#isted around. E//a sat on the .loor& ,o!ered in dirt and ,ob#ebs& her hair .lying all about her .a,e. She loo%ed beauti.ul. DE//aGD Ia/es grabbed Sto,%ley as Charles s,ra/bled to his .eet. D?at,h your step&D Ia/es said. Charles .inally loo%ed so/e#here other than into E//a>s eyes. On the .loor s,attered around her #ere tiaras& bra,elets& ne,%la,es& and rings. Eold and Ae#els. Ereat28n,le Randall had split in t#o& spilling all his se,rets. D?ell&D he said& Dit loo%s li%e #e ha!e .ound +r. Sto,%ley>s treasure.D

Chapter 1$
D hat #as an interesting end to the house party.D E//a sat by the .ire& drying her hair. She>d ,o/e upstairs as soon as Charles had pi,%ed her out o. the rubble. Be>d gi!en her a thorough %iss and sent her o.. to her roo/ be.ore he too% Sto,%ley do#nstairs and dealt #ith his ,urious guests. She>d heard a .e# o. the /en& dra#n by the sound o. the gunshot& ,o/ing up the stairs as she le.t. She>d had a long& #ar/ bath& #ashing a#ay e!ery last #isp o. spider#eb. :. the #ater hadn>t started to ,ool& she /ight still be in the tub. hen she>d #aited .or Charles to ,o/e upstairs. :t hadn>t been !ery long. She>d heard hi/ in the other roo/& tal%ing to +r. Benderson. hen he>d sent his !alet a#ay and ,o/e in to her. She had #anted to go to hi/ i//ediately& but she had hesitated. Be>d had su,h a re/ote loo% on his .a,e. Be sat in the ,hair ne0t to hers and stared at the .ire& his hands in the po,%ets o. his dressing go#n. D?hat did you do #ith +r. Sto,%ley@D DIa/es is ta%ing ,harge o. hi/. Be>ll stand trial .or %illing /y brother. : ha!e no doubt he>ll s#ing.D She brushed her hair and studied his pro.ile. Bis lips #ere pulled into a hard& thin line. D:t #as bad enough ha!ing Paul die& but to learn no# he #as /urdered . . .D She leaned o!er and put a hand on his %nee. D5on>t thin% about it. here>s nothing you ,an do to ,hange #hat happened.D Charles slu/ped lo#er in his ,hair. D: should ha!e as%ed /ore 1uestions. : should ha!e insisted so/eone in!estigate as soon as : got the ne#s.D D?hy@ An in!estigation #ould not ha!e brought anyone ba,% to li.e.D D:t /ight ha!e turned up Sto,%ley. hen you #ouldn>t ha!e had that unpleasant ti/e #ith the spiders.D DAnd you #ould not ha!e had that unpleasant ti/e loo%ing do#n the barrel o. +r. Sto,%ley>s gun.D Charles shrugged. Be stared at the .ire .or a #hile. E//a stared at hi/. ?hen he spo%e again& his !oi,e #as lo#. D: #as Aust so angry #hen they told /e Paul #as dead. : hardly ,onsidered Paul. : ,ould only thin% about #hat his death had done to /e. Bo# : #as trapped.D

DCharles& #e ,an>t ,ontrol #hat #e .eel& Aust ho# #e a,t. $ou did all that #as proper. "o one thought Paul>s death #as anything but a rando/ ,ri/e.D She sat ba,%& t#isting her .ingers in her #rapper. D:. anyone should .eel guilty about their .eelings& it is :. : tried to %eep /y .ather .ro/ .inding happiness #ith +rs. Eraha/.D Charles>s .ro#n deepened. Be loo%ed a#ay .ro/ the .ire to her. D$our .eelings #ere naturalCD D+y .eelings #ere ,hildish and sel.ish. : see that no#. But : ,an>t go ba,% and ,hange the/& /u,h as : #ould li%e to. Iust as you ,annot go ba,% and ,hange ho# you rea,ted to Paul>s death. ?e ,an only go .or#ard.D Be hun,hed a shoulder. D: don>t %no# . . .D D: do. And /u,h as : disli%e saying anything ,riti,al o. the dead& espe,ially your brother and his #i.e& : thin% the girls #ill be better o.. #ith you as their papa. And the estate #ill be better as #ellCyou do intend to stay here& don>t you@D D3or part o. the year& yes.D DOnly part o. the year@D Be .inally s/iled. D?ell& : guess : should ta%e this peer business seriously. a%e /y pla,e in <ords. And you should see <ondon during the Season. he girls /ight enAoy Astley>s Cir,us and Byde Par%. : thin% lea!ing Knightsdale .or part o. the year is a,,eptable& don>t you@D D$es.D E//a s/iled ba,%. D$ou ,an lea!e Knightsdale as long as you don>t lea!e us.D D"o danger o. that& s#eetheart.D Bis s/ile #idened to a grin. Be leered at her. D: ha!e to get an heir& don>t :@ : belie!e #e deter/ined : ,annot a,,o/plish that goal #ith you in Kent and /e in <ondon.D E//a .elt the throbbing start lo# in her sto/a,h. She ,ertainly understood that ,on,ept no#. Be leaned ,loser. D?hat@ $ou aren>t going to thro# so/ething at /e this ti/e@ "o ,hina ,anines to shatter@D D"o.D She still sa# sadness lur%ing in his e0pression. She s/iled. She belie!ed she %ne# a #ay to ,hase the dar%ness .ro/ his eyes. D: #as angry #ith you then. : a/ not .eeling anger no#.D D"o@D

D"o. : a/& ho#e!er& .eeling a nu/ber o. other strong e/otions.D DReally@ hat sounds pro/ising.D DE0a,tly. $ou /ade a pro/ise to /e this e!ening that you ha!e not yet %ept.D Charles>s eyebro#s rose. D: did@ ?hat did : pro/ise@D E//a stood& turning to .a,e hi/. She let her #rapper slide do#n her ar/s to pool at her .eet so she stood na%ed in the .irelight. She s/iled& noting ho# lust and lo!e burned the last shado#s .ro/ Charles>s .a,e. D$ou pro/ised to /isbeha!e /ore than : ,ould possibly i/agine.D Be rea,hed out to ,up her breasts& tra,e her hips& stro%e her thighs. She .elt #et heat& and spread her legs slightly. D: #arn you&D she said& D:>!e re,ently de!eloped a !ery !i!id i/agination.D Be ,ouldn>t tal%. Be ,ould barely thin%. Be stared at the s#eet #hite o. her thighs& her dar% sil%y hair. Be breathed in the heat o. her. Be ran his hands o!er her s/ooth hips. She parted her legs #ider and he dipped his .inger inside. DE//a.D She put her hands on the ,hair ar/s and leaned .or#ard to %iss hi/. Ber tongue li,%ed o!er his lips and then darted inside. Be put his hands on her .ull breasts& s#aying in .ront o. hi/. Be stro%ed the/& %neaded the/& .elt their nipples harden. E//a /oaned so.tly in the ba,% o. her throat and spread her legs #ider& sitting on his lap& putting her #et ,enter e0a,tly #here he /ost #anted it. She spread the top o. his dressing go#n and slid her hands inside& s%i//ing o!er his heated s%in. Be did not #ant to ta%e her in this ,hair. Be #anted her in his bed. :n the 5rays/ith bed. Be needed her there to .ree hi/ .ro/ the last o. his ghosts. Be put his hands on her .a,e and dre# ba,% .ro/ her lips. D: thought : #as the one #ho #as supposed to /isbeha!e&D he said. D?hat@D D$ou said : had pro/ised to /isbeha!e /ore than you ,ould i/agine& but you are de.initely the one /isbeha!ing no#& +iss Peterson. +ore than : ,ould i/agine.D he /in0 ga!e hi/ #hat loo%ed li%e a !ery sel.2satis.ied s/ile. Be span%ed her lo!ely botto/ !ery lightly& and she laughed and stu,% out her tongue. Be su,%ed on it gently.

D: a/ not going to let you sedu,e /e here& /y lo!e.D Be li.ted her o.. his lap& setting her on her .eet. DSo/e day& but not today.D Be shrugged out o. his dressing go#n. She grinned and rea,hed .or the /ost pro/inent part o. hi/& but he ,aught her #rists. DBeha!e yoursel.& /y dear.D D+a%e /e.D D?ith pleasure.D Be s,ooped her up and ,arried her into his roo/& dropping her into the ,enter o. his bed. She laughed and held out her ar/s to hi/. ?hen he .elt the/ #rap around hi/& he %ne# he had .inally ,o/e ho/e.