Reckless Desire (the Noire trilogy - darkly sensuous Gothic romance) by Emmanuelle de Maupassant

Author:Emmanuelle de Maupassant [de Maupassant, Emmanuelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hot Historical Romance
Published: 2021-07-29T23:00:00+00:00

The conte went to pour himself a restorative from the decanter.

‘Lady Cecile looks fertile enough, does she not, Serpico. Once she is with child, I shall confine her to these walls. As the new contessa, I may entrust her in watching over what is most inconvenient to me.’

Feeling generous, Lorenzo, poured a small measure for his manservant. ‘It will do very well, and I might visit once or twice a year, to ensure the addition of other di Cavours to the succession.’

He smiled. The more he pondered on the plan, the greater was its attractiveness. He had no desire to have his habits hindered by the presence of a wife and, once he’d enjoyed the novelty of her body, he knew well enough that his interest would wane. Her intellect was insufficient to engage him, and her conversation too lacking in sophistication. On state occasions, perhaps, he might have her brought to him, to appear before the royal court. She would do well enough.

Lucrezia was another matter.

She, I cannot spare. Where I go, she must accompany me. Her defiant outbursts of invective are most appealing. She’ll make a satisfying mistress, and her acquiescence is inconsequential. If offspring are the result, they may be raised alongside my legitimate heirs, here, at Castello di Scogliera.

‘One more thing, Serpico.’ Lorenzo swirled the liquid in his glass. ’Some housekeeping is in order. Our guest in the tower has been making herself increasingly meddlesome, and Vittoria is too often careless in securing the bolts. I take no pleasure in the decision, but we must change her accommodation.’

Returning to his armchair, he eased off his riding boots. ‘Wait until all are sleeping, and secure her in the crypt. The key to the manacles you may place upon the hook at the foot of the stair, alongside those for the other doors. Bring down her bed and other comforts. I fear I cannot trust her with a candle, but you may fix a small lantern high from the ceiling, to be kept lit only during the day. Her mind, I fear, has fallen to such chaos that no recreation may alleviate its suffering. She has no solace in reading or other pastimes, so the lack of greater light may be of little consequence.’

‘Naturalmente, maestro.’ Serpico gave a stern nod.

‘I’ve been too soft of heart, and I see it is a failing. I’d hoped to return her to some civilized version of herself, to make amends for the abuses of my father, and calm her troubled spirit. I see that my hopes were in vain. Some wounds cannot be undone, the scars running too deep. A woman’s mind, as well as her body, lacks the strength of a man’s. It is one of life’s truths, is it not?’

Lorenzo’s eyes alighted on the pair of ancestral pistols mounted above the fireplace.

As for the other matter, when Lady McCaulay reveals to her milksop my part in her abduction, her gallant knight may call me out in a duel. My aim is true enough, but I dislike uncertain outcomes.

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