Eden's Pleasure by Kate Pearce

Author:Kate Pearce [Pearce, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Erotic, Adult
ISBN: 9781419904080
Google: guzVJ94RKcgC
Amazon: B0030H26LG
Barnesnoble: B0030H26LG
Goodreads: 7747968
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Published: 2005-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

I sat at my dressing table and reread the note delivered to the house that morning. I was not surprised that the viscount had discerned my whereabouts. He always seemed to know my secrets. Rumor had it that his association with the Foreign Office during the war had resulted in a number of captured French spies and thwarted plots. Keeping an eye on one wayward female relation probably seemed easy by comparison. With a deep breath, I looked at my suddenly pale face in the mirror. The twins’ father was back in London and wished me to present myself at his dwelling on the morrow.

My idyllic days with Gervase were drawing to a close. I was not sure whether to be glad or sorry. He had stirred unwelcome emotions in me that I had sworn to forgo. My hands clenched on the note and my green eyes darkened and reflected my anguish. I could not bear to be in love with Gervase again. I could not allow myself to be left desolated by his desertion.

I smoothed powder onto my face and rose to my feet, suddenly needing to be outside. A walk through the tranquil glades of Hyde Park seemed necessary to soothe my agitation and to give me time to formulate my plans for the future.

I strolled through the park. My maid followed at a discreet distance. I scarcely saw the beauty of the emerging leaves and the bitter, sweet, sharp colors of spring. Could I face another elderly husband after Gervase? Other desperate or clever women had chosen this route before me and seemingly felt no compunction in cuckolding their elderly partners with a succession of eager young lovers.

I shook my head. My experiences with Mr. Carstairs had made me wary of such an arrangement.

I looked up as a pigeon disturbed the leaves on a cherry tree. A fistful of pink blossoms floated to the ground around me like a shower of bridal confetti. What if 55

Kate Pearce

Gervase asked me to be his mistress and suggested he set me up in my own establishment? I came to a halt as a wave of misery washed over me. No, I could not accept that either, despite my desire for him. It would only prolong the inevitable heartache when he chose to marry some fresh-faced chit straight out of the schoolroom and discarded me.

I resumed my walk. The break would have to be complete for me to bear it. Tears threatened in the corners of my eyes as I contemplated the muddle I had created for myself with such blithe overconfidence. How in God’s name could I have thought that going to bed with Gervase again would be anything but heart-wrenchingly wonderful?

How could I have believed that I would escape unscathed?

“Excuse me.”

I hastily wiped my eyes as I realized I had inadvertently blocked the path. I looked up to apologize and caught my breath as I recognized the hauntingly beautiful auburn-haired woman whom Gideon had warned me against.

She lifted one arched eyebrow and held out her gloved hand.

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