Someone to Love by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt [Holt, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Regency
ISBN: 9781648711954
Google: EvB5zQEACAAJ
Amazon: B08B839N2H
Goodreads: 54258068
Publisher: Cheryl Holt
Published: 2020-08-11T05:00:00+00:00

“Father, may I ask you a question?”

Penny had caught him in the breakfast parlor alone, as she’d been hoping she might. She’d gotten up early for that specific purpose. He was seated at the table, and she pulled up a chair across from him.

She’d tossed and turned until dawn, her mind awhirl with problems she’d never contemplated in the past.

Ever since she’d met Simon, she’d been confused about her path. She’d always been a dutiful daughter, and because of her father’s tragedy as a young man—when her little half-sister, Henrietta, had vanished—Penny had grown up with the implicit understanding that she should never upset him.

Yet she’d learned how to coerce him into giving her whatever she desired, and he’d never been able to refuse any of her requests. She’d wanted to become engaged, and she’d begged him to pick a husband for her. Luke had seemed like a perfect choice until Simon had pointed out that he might not be.

Luke was so much older than she was, and he was stern, polite, and unbending. He rarely smiled. He never joined in the afternoon lawn games, never danced at night. No, he lurked in the corner, watching the crowd as if trying to figure out how he’d stumbled into it.

It was clear they had nothing in common except the fact that their families were neighbors. Was that really a viable basis for a marriage? She no longer thought so.

Then there was the other issue about what would happen in the bedchamber. She had several friends from school who were already wed, and they whispered alarming tales about what a spouse expected from his wife. Nudity was required, as were various physical acts that were too shocking to describe.

She pictured herself in a bedroom with Luke, pictured herself removing her clothes and being naked in front of him. The idea was disturbing on every level.

I could do it with Simon though . . .

The wicked notion flitted through her head before she could tamp it down. For Simon Falcon, she might consent to any risqué conduct. She was that fascinated.

Her father had been reading the morning newspaper, and he put it down and grinned at her. “Dear Penny, you’re aware that you can ask me any question you like, and I will attempt to answer it to your satisfaction.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

She’d planned to blurt it out, but it was incredibly hard to proceed. She’d been demanding he select a husband for her, and he had. How could she now claim she didn’t want that husband?

Her consternation must have been evident because his grin altered to a frown. “What’s wrong? Is someone vexing you?”

“I guess my topic is more difficult than I realized.”

“Just spit it out. I generally find that it’s the easiest way to begin. Once a subject is voiced, it’s never as tough as we were imagining.”

“You’re probably correct.” She took a deep breath and let it out, then she asked, “Are you sure I should marry Luke?”

“Yes, I’m

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