All Afternoon with a Scandalous Marquess by Alexandra Hawkins

Author:Alexandra Hawkins
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2012-07-31T08:15:42+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Madame Venna could not believe her good fortune.

When Abram had thrown open the doors this evening, she had never anticipated that Anthony Warren, Viscount Chandler, would seek out the infamous proprietress of the Golden Pearl.

Unbeknownst to the thirty-year-old viscount, he had ties to the brothel. Specifically, blood ties. Lord Chandler was the eldest son of Lord and Lady Eyre. He was also her half brother. More than twenty-seven years ago, the Countess of Eyre had been unfaithful to her husband with Lord Greenshield, and the lady birthed her unwanted daughter in shame. After Catherine’s birth, she allowed her lover to dispose of the mewling infant; he, in turn, handed her over to the Royleses.

She smiled at the viscount as she contemplated mischief. There were so many ways she could exact a little revenge on the lady who had birthed her and cast her aside.

Her thoughts abruptly switched to Saint. The marquess had become quite dedicated to the Golden Pearl, and rather possessive of her. He would not be pleased if he caught her with another gentleman. However, Lord Sainthill was not her husband, and the opportunity for a little revenge against Lady Eyre proved to be too irresistible.

“You honor me, Madame Venna,” the handsome blond viscount murmured as she seated him to her right, unaware that his hostess despised him solely for the fact that they shared the same mother. “For years, I have heard other gentlemen speak of the Golden Pearl and its mistress with reverence in their voices. My only regret is that I waited so long for an introduction.”

“Well, I, for one, am pleased you have found your way to us, Lord Chandler. Gentlemen, you agree, no?” she asked her companions, her voice heavily accented and exotic.

Everyone around her concurred, but a few of her male companions were lacking in enthusiasm. The viscount was her new favorite, and they envied the gentleman’s position.

Anna approached Lord Chandler from behind. “Milord, your glass is empty. May I offer you more champagne?” She met Madame Venna’s gaze.

The viscount could not take his eyes off Madame Venna. He shifted in his seat and raised his glass without glancing at Anna. “Yes, thank you.”

Do you really want to do this?

Madame Venna saw the exasperation Anna did not bother to hide, but she chose to ignore it. After all, it was not every day that she could flirt with her half sibling as she contemplated his moral downfall. At the Golden Pearl there were endless possibilities, endless amusements.

She could even see to the matter herself. Lord Chandler might be her half brother, but she felt no kinship to him, not even an errant tingle. Since his blond hair was identical to hers, it was obvious that she had inherited some of her mother’s good looks.

Not that anyone would notice. This evening she was a brunette. Saucy plump curls bounced against her bare shoulders. As she smiled playfully at the viscount, she pondered the implications of bedding her half sibling. She was not worried about her soul.

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