Earl of Pembroke by Lauren Smith

Author:Lauren Smith [Smith, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

DINNER WAS A DREADFULLY dull affair from James’s perspective. He had to spend the entire evening next to a young woman of his acquaintance, Miss Venetia Sharpe. She was a nice enough girl, but her naked ambitions always sent him running. He had no desire to marry a woman who would push him into a political career because it would further elevate her own status.

He sought out Gillian farther down the table, and their gazes briefly locked. He smiled at her as he remembered how they’d made love in the meadow. A blush reddened her cheeks, and she returned his smile, although she soon ducked her head and turned to speak with her companion.

“My lord?” Venetia leaned closer, her perfumed scent distracting. It wasn’t unpleasant, by any means, but it wasn’t Gillian’s sweet scent of rosewater and something feminine and natural.

“Er… Yes.” He reached for his wine goblet for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. Already his senses were beginning to become unsteady. He would be lucky to stand after a dinner like this.

“I recently began a correspondence with your sister, Leticia. She’s a lovely woman, and when we return to London, I hope that you and she might join me for a ride in the park.”

James was tempted to praise the woman for her brazen attempt to connect herself more firmly to him. If he was seen riding with Venetia and his sister, it would set tongues wagging that he would likely be marrying the girl.

“That sounds nice. I’m sure Leticia would be delighted to ride with you.” He carefully chose not to confirm his own presence in that particular activity. He leaned forward and glanced down the length of the dinner table at Gillian again. At least twenty people were here at Rochester Hall for the party.

Gillian was seated between Charles Humphrey, the Earl of Lonsdale, and Jonathan St. Laurent. She seemed to be talking rather animatedly whenever Jonathan addressed her, but each time Charles spoke she blushed and glanced hastily back to her dinner plate.

A flicker of jealousy shot through him. The man was fair in looks and most amiable. He was one of James’s friends, but he was also a damned rogue and a reckless seducer. James didn’t want his woman anywhere near such a man. Gillian glanced around and caught his eye, offering a small smile. This time when she blushed, he knew it was because of him.

An elbow jabbed him in the ribs. Venetia stared at him in shock, looking all too innocent.

“My apologies.” He realized then that the humming sound in his ears, one which had been annoying him, had been Venetia’s voice.

“My lord, I really must tell you that your distraction is most upsetting.” Her announcement drew the attention of the guests surrounding him, and his face flamed. Across the table, Lucien Russell, the Marquess of Rochester, his host, was trying to hide a snigger behind his wineglass. His wife, Horatia, was frowning at him, but then she winced and touched her belly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.