The Duke and The Enchantress (An Enchantress Novel Book 2) by Paullett Golden

Author:Paullett Golden [Golden, Paullett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paullett Golden
Published: 2019-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

Drake took a deep breath. “The woman you think is my mistress is most certainly not. I won’t deceive you by hiding that I once thought myself in love with her, but it was nothing more than a boyish infatuation that ended over ten years ago. I went to her only to tell her of the marriage. I will never see her again.”

Charlotte said nothing, her shoulders rounding ever so slightly. Having finished the bread, she returned to chewing on her bottom lip.

“I’m not as, er, well-traveled as you would think me.” He hesitated, shifting in his chair and clearing his throat. “I’ve only been with one woman. You may choose not to believe me, but I speak the truth and certainly wouldn’t admit this otherwise. I’ve only been with one woman, and I’ve not been with her for ten years. I am very much celibate, though I don’t suppose you’ll believe me.”

Setting his glass down, he began to wring his hands, leaning an elbow against his chair, feeling a cold sweat on his brow. He couldn’t believe he was saying these words. Would she think he was a molly? Why else would he not have been with countless women over the years? One seed of doubt might be enough for her to question him. After all his work to build a secure reputation, he was recklessly abandoning it for the sake of truth to the last person on earth he wanted to question or doubt him.

For all he knew, she would fling his honesty back at him, use his words against him. But he had to try if there was to be any peace between them.

He continued, locking eye contact. “I’m not a rake and have no interest in being one. For me, physical affection is as closely tied to emotional attachment as my heart is to my soul. The one person I’ve been with, I loved dearly, and so I gave her my body and my heart. Yes, I admit my lips are loose but only to heighten my reputation. My body belongs to no one except the woman of my heart. I’d like, if you would give me the opportunity, to offer you my body and my heart.”

Charlotte visibly swallowed before reaching for her now cold tea, whetting her palate. She stared into her cup for some time before responding.

“What of the scene I witnessed?” she questioned to the tea leaves.

He pulled out a handkerchief to blot the sweat from his face, then exchanged it for his snuffbox for a pinch to relax his nerves. The box trembled in his hands. Such confessions were never meant to be spoken. Two pinches to be safe. He returned the box to its pocket before speaking.

“You witnessed a scene from my past, nothing more. I have not been party to that madness since I was the age of the boys in attendance.”

Charlotte set the cup and saucer on the table. “I don’t think I want to understand but proceed with an explanation, if you please.

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