The Earl's Temptation: Steamy Regency Romance Novella by Viola Grey

Author:Viola Grey [Grey, Viola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-03-22T00:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Silas watched Althorpe Hall appear at the top of the hill as the carriage rolled up to the park gates.

He swallowed reflexively against the agitation that rose within him at the sight of the place he had spent his whole life trying to escape.

It looked like any other opulent estate from the outside. Huge, sprawling Palladian edifice that it was, surrounded by lush parkland and a long, narrow reflection lake to enhance the view.

Honora leaned forward, drawing back the curtains to gaze with interest at the imposing facade.

“Do you really never come here?” she asked, visibly curious as the carriage rumbled up the circular drive.

“No, never,” grunted Silas, leaning back against the squabs, taking a few final deep breaths of freedom.

There had been no acknowledgement of their passionate interlude since he woke and slipped from her room at the break of dawn. It was regrettable, and Silas knew they would have to talk about it soon, but he had been far too tense to bring it up during the drive here.

Why exactly had he thought it would be a good idea to bring her here?

No. He needed to stop this. It was beyond childish to allow a building, a mere pile of brick and mortar, to hold any power over him.

The past was over. Gone.

And good riddance.

Silas took a deep breath, gritting his teeth. He was the only one left now, and he would be damned if he would allow the memories held in this place to hold him hostage any longer.

It was time to face the past and put it behind him, once and for all.

Silas had to think of the future now, of Honora’s safety.

Of all the ways he could protect her with his rank and fortune.

Benedict would be able to get a handle on the situation, given enough time, but Honora should never have been a target at all.

You know how to protect her, prodded his conscience. You know what must be done after you broke your vow and placed your hands on her.

Silas frowned and jumped from the equipage as it rolled to a stop, reaching up to assist Honora down the steps.

He couldn’t resist giving her hand a light squeeze, letting his gloved fingers linger on hers.

She smiled at him, totally unabashed, as pure and joyful as ever.

As if he hadn’t come within a hair’s breadth of besmirching her purity the night before.

“Silas, I can practically hear you thinking,” she murmured, keeping her smile fixed in place as the staff lined up outside the entrance to greet them. “Please, don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?” he grumbled, tucking her hand into his arm as they ascended the stairs.

“Like you think I should regret what happened between us.”

Silas pursed his lips, biting back a retort. “This is not the time, Honora,” he warned.

“We will discuss it later, then,” she replied sweetly, stepping forward to greet the housekeeper and butler as though there was not a storm brewing in the air between them.

Mrs Hemsley and her

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