The Earl's New Bride (Entangled Scandalous) by Frances Fowlkes

Author:Frances Fowlkes [Fowlkes, Frances]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781633753983
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2015-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Silence in and of itself was not exceptional. Henrietta often sat in Plumburn’s rooms without the need for words, content to sit alone and admire the grandeur of a home that had been in her family for the past three generations.

She had not, however, ever sat silent in them accompanied by an assortment of females politely sipping tea and peering at her over the rims of their cups.

Awkward did not begin to describe the tense, quiet stillness pervading the room. Narrowed eyes, pursed lips, and stiffened shoulders replaced conversation, displaying the general displeasure felt amongst the room’s guests.

In particular, the dagger-like glare of Miss Saxton. If looks could kill, Henrietta would have been dead ten minutes ago, her heart impaled by the scathing scowl cast her way. The girl’s eyes could not get any thinner, or her nose any wider, the membranes of her nostrils flared to their maximum range.

Given the earl’s earlier preference for the brown-haired daughter of a viscount, Miss Saxton likely believed herself to be the forerunner in his selection for his wife.

Until Henrietta had disappeared with the man for a better part of the afternoon. And had allowed him to kiss her beyond rational thought and bade him to touch her as no man had before.

Her pulse still sped from his hungry advances. He had devoured her as though he had never partaken of a woman’s pleasures, his wicked tongue and passion-filled kisses filling her with desire. Her body warmed at the memory of his manhood, bulging against her thighs, willing her to unleash it from behind the fall of the earl’s breeches.

Her fingers had ached to comply, stilled only by the very tiny voice of reason urging her to remember the rules of decorum…or at least wait until the two of them were somewhere private and unable to be seen before proceeding.

She supposed, when one considered the extenuating circumstances, Miss Saxton was more than justified in her fury.

“I did so enjoy the ride about Plumburn this morning,” Miss Saxton’s aunt said, her airy voice breaking the tense silence. “The grounds have much to offer. The view from the crest of the eastern hill is quite breathtaking in its scope.”

Henrietta’s mother let out the breath she had apparently been holding and gave the young widow a large smile. “Yes, Plumburn’s grounds are most majestic when viewed from that side of the estate, especially in morning when the sun rises over the ridge.”

“While beautiful, they would have been even more remarkable had their master been there to present them to us,” Miss Saxton said vehemently, her shrill voice cutting through the room.

“More remarkable, possibly, but not nearly as enjoyable.” Sarah gave Miss Saxton a thin smile. “I found great comfort knowing he was looking after the safety of his guests rather than strutting about the top of the eastern outlook, like a peacock showing off his feathers.”

Henrietta choked on her tea, her cup clanking against the china saucer. Her mother sent her a warning glare and

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