Tempting Two by Victoria Vale

Author:Victoria Vale [Vale, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Victoria Vale
Published: 2017-09-02T09:07:25+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Penelope took a careful sip of her hot chocolate, sighing as the sweet taste and warmth of it flooded her senses. Comfort in a cup, her mother had always called the drink. Unfortunately, there remained only so much the hot confection could do to soothe her troubles. Having decided a night of respite from the social whirl was in order, she'd dressed for an evening at home—wearing her most comfortable and demure night rail and warmest dressing gown. Curled up in bed with a roaring fire in the hearth, she stared down at the pages of a book she could hardly remember a word of.

She'd been looking forward to finding time to read her copy of Glenarvon, the scandalous, anonymously published novel that had the ton in an uproar. Despite the supposed outrage of many of the ton's most distinguished members, the book's shocking content had become the topic of conversation in every drawing room, ballroom, and gentleman's club in the city.

Yet, now that she had discreetly acquired a copy, she could not muster an ounce of interest in the sensational events of Calantha's life. Rather, she found herself focused on the melodrama of her own making.

She'd thought that engaging in love affairs with both Colin and Edmond would satisfy her—sating her physical desires, while repaying them both for their duplicity. Yet, all it had done was muddle her head.

First, there had been Edmond, who had surprised her with his dominant hand in the bedroom—or, carriage. She'd set out to seduce him, but had found herself overcome, unsure by the end which of them had actually held the upper hand. However, it had been his tenderness afterward that had disarmed her, remaining with her long after the physical euphoria had faded.

And Colin … her chest ached as she remembered his impassioned words.

"Give me one more chance, and I swear upon pain of death that you will never know hurt by my hand again."

Yet, the revelation that he would conspire with Edmond to trick her had hurt. Once had not been enough, when he could so easily make a fool of her. After all, she had, indeed, become jealous of Sybil Beauchamp, just as he'd intended. Yet, the sincerity in his gaze as he'd promised to prove his love to her gave her pause. Could he have been telling the truth all along? Did he really love her?

"No," she murmured to herself. "It's all a farce … just a game men play."

It was true, and Penelope had seen it happen countless times. She had allowed a man to play with her heart once—she would not allow it to happen again. Let Colin think she was softening toward him! Let Edmond believe she was finished with his best friend and wanted only him! Let them both drive themselves mad trying to win her … in the end, she would belong to no one but herself.

Closing her eyes, she allowed her mind to wander back to her encounter with Colin the night before.

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