Some Like It Scandalous by Carole Mortimer

Author:Carole Mortimer
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

True to his threat, Dante somehow managed to be everywhere that Sophia went during the week that followed!

If she walked to the shops with her maid, then she very quickly found herself with a rakishly handsome companion who carried her parcels for her and smiled charmingly at everyone they met. If she rode her carriage in the park, then a rider would very soon appear outside the window on his fine chestnut hunter. Each and every one of the evening entertainments she attended heralded the arrival of the Earl of Sherbourne shortly thereafter, whether he had received and accepted an invitation or otherwise; for what hostess in her right mind would dare to turn away the eligible Dante Carfax, Earl of Sherbourne!

There had not even been chance to meet and talk with Genevieve or Pandora this past week, Dante’s constant presence at Sophia’s side precluding any such meeting taking place, let alone the luxury of indulging in a private conversation with her two closest friends.

Including this evening, at the home of Lord and Lady Chumsford, where Sophia had been invited to enjoy the musical entertainment provided by their young daughter newly introduced to Society, Dante having arrived and been admitted only minutes after Sophia herself, before once again taking up a proprietary stance at her side.

“You do not appear to be listening to the entertainment, my dear?”

Dante bent down to whisper in Sophia’s ear as he easily saw her look of distraction, and dared to hope he might be the cause of it.

It had been a long and difficult week for him, being with Sophia several times a day, and yet at the same time having to rein back his ever-increasing desire to make love to her; ten years of desiring this woman had certainly not improved his impatience now that she was free and almost within his grasp, and it was taking all of his indomitable self-control to prevent himself from just reaching out and taking what he wanted. Namely Sophia…

But he had already reached out and taken far more than she was as yet comfortable with, only to have her turn and hurry away from him afterwards. It was not an experience Dante wished to have repeated. No, the next time he made love with Sophia he was determined that she would come to him entirely of her own free will.

She now rose abruptly to her silk-slippered feet. “If you will excuse me…? I find I am in need of refreshment.” She swept past him and out of the salon in a swirl of russet silk, her head held proudly high.

Dante followed at a more leisurely pace, nodding to several acquaintances as he did so, suppressing his irritation and forcing himself to smile charmingly as he was beckoned over imperiously by one of the most influential doyens of Society. “Lady Jersey.” He bent solicitously over the gloved hand she extended.

“You are unappreciative of my god-daughter’s musical talent, Sherbourne?” Her eyes gleamed with amused acknowledgement of this explanation for her own presence at such a lukewarm entertainment.

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