Lord of Temptation by Erica Ridley

Author:Erica Ridley
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781943794072

Chapter 14

Hawk and his mother perched on the edge of their squabs as their coach inched along the enormous queue of carriages leading to the Grenville townhouse.

Due to their inability to reciprocate invitations by hosting fêtes or afternoon teas at their own home, he and his mother had long avoided society events. But the Grenville musicale was different. Not only was everyone who was anyone certain to be in attendance, even those in no danger of ever being granted an Almack’s voucher were welcomed inside for the musicale of the Season.

Lord and Lady Grenville were as proper as any member of the aristocracy, and the reason why so many members of the ton had accepted that first invitation to something so trite as a musicale.

Their four Grenville siblings kept very different circles of friends. Dahlia the charity headmistress, Bryony the incorrigible hoyden, Camellia the scandalous opera singer, and Heath the mysterious secret-keeper. One never knew who might receive an invitation to take a seat amongst this crowd for an unforgettable night.

The one thing that was certain, was that anyone who had ever witnessed the musical Grenville siblings perform would do anything in their power to ensure they received a second invitation.

He turned to smile at his mother as the carriage wheels wobbled forward. “Are you looking forward to the performance?”

“I wish it weren’t the only invitation you’ve allowed me to accept all Season,” came her tart reply. Her bright eyes focused on the river of fashionable gentlemen and elegant ladies streaming up the walk to the Grenville front door.

Hawk did not reply. There was no point in mentioning that this had been the only invitation on the mantel. Or that it would likely be their only public outing all Season, before they returned to the country so he could stop paying expensive London rents.

Tonight he was not here to argue, but to be a good son and a respectable marquess. The latter was far more challenging than the former.

Every eye in the receiving salon would quickly note each minute, substandard detail about him and his mother. Although they wore their finest, there was no hiding the faded colors, the outdated fashions, the thin gloves.

Hawk had trimmed his hair just for this event and starched his best cravat within an inch of its life. Mother had spent so many hours curling and pinning her hair, he feared the intricate ringlets would be baked permanently to her head.

They could only hope to take their seats quickly, lest the eyes of passersby have a greater opportunity to travel from the tops of their coiffures to their patched hems.

“Come,” he said when it was finally their turn to alight from their carriage. “Let us enjoy the evening.”

She smiled as she allowed him to hand her down from the coach, and the excitement in her eyes outshone the recent pallor in her cheeks.

For this, Hawk was grateful.

According to the most recent doctor, mother was unwell due to a depression of the mind that sapped her spirit.

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.