Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol

Author:Anna Randol [Randol, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780062025791
Google: H0E2fJXq3l8C
Amazon: 0062025791
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2012-08-27T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Gabriel’s mother strode over to the curtains and pulled them open. “If you’re both awake, I see no reason for us to linger in gloom. Besides, Gabriel hasn’t brought anyone to visit me since Oxford.”

Madeline blinked as streams of light poured into the room, illuminating the other woman. She wasn’t what Madeline had been expecting. Instead of a thin, bitter husk of a governess, Mrs. Huntford was well-rounded with the type of plumpness that came to women who’d been voluptuous when younger. Her face was pleasing, although with more the look of a hearty farmer’s wife than a lady of the ton.

It was her eyes that stood out, pale like her son’s, but clear crystalline blue. They sparkled with life and good humor.

It was, in fact, the very expression that Madeline often tried to emulate. But Madeline’s was always that—imitation.

How did his mother do it? She couldn’t have had an easy life, yet she radiated energy—nothing as simple as cheer, but rather the assurance that people were good and things would work out.

It should have stirred pity or perhaps amusement in Madeline. After all, she knew firsthand that both those things were lies. Instead, an envious longing lodged in Madeline’s chest.

The corner of Gabriel’s mouth lifted. “I work with thieves and murderers, Mother.”

His mother smiled, a sunny rearrangement of her face that crinkled her nose and reduced her eyes to crescents. “Bow Street’s hiring practices must have grown lax of late.”

As Gabriel tipped his head in concession to the jest, his mother walked to Madeline’s side. “So which are you, thief or murderer?”

Both.

The older woman’s face smoothed into concerned lines. “Are you all right? What happened? Jones said you arrived wet and reeking.”

Gabriel folded his arms. “Someone threw Madeline into the Thames.”

His mother’s eyebrow twitched at his use of Madeline’s first name.

Madeline spoke quickly before any inaccurate assumptions could form. “I hired your son to protect me and handle a small investigation.”

Mrs. Huntford glanced back at Gabriel, pride obvious in her gaze. “Why do you need protection?”

Gabriel stepped forward to his mother’s side. “I’ve been remiss. Madeline, this is my mother, Beatrice Huntford. Mother, this is Madeline Valdan.”

Mrs. Huntford stilled a moment, a tiny crease marking her brow.

Madeline wanted nothing more than to slap the look of grim satisfaction from Gabriel’s face. After all, it wasn’t as if she’d thrown herself into his mother’s path.

Oh, she took guilty pleasure in irking the snobbish women of the ton with her presence. But for people like Gabriel’s mother, who wouldn’t be offended but just made to feel awkward, she tried to spare them contact.

Madeline inched the blanket up. Not only was she a harlot, but she was a naked harlot.

She hated the uncertainty assailing her. But if Gabriel thought she’d curl up in proper shame, he’d soon discover otherwise. “Your son neglected to mention my profession. I’m a courtesan.”

Mrs. Huntford’s eyes widened and Madeline knew she’d remembered why she recognized the name.

Madeline smiled. “I apologize for not rising to greet you, but your son has taken all my clothes.

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