The Other Wife (The Dunne Family Series Book 3) by Chasity Bowlin

Author:Chasity Bowlin [Bowlin, Chasity]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-01-13T18:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

They entered the ballroom of Lord Burke Holland and his wife, Olivia, Lady Holland. It had been three days since they’d sent Helen and Stephan off to Scotland under the cover of darkness. With any luck, the young couple had already said their vows. But they couldn’t hide forever, and so they were attending what was purported to be the ball of the season. During those three days, they’d spent their days sequestered in their own homes, but each glorious night they had spent together, with him sneaking into her home under the cover of darkness. It had become as necessary to him as food or water that he see her every day.

The house was superb, the ballroom glittering and gay, and the very cream of society was present. Gavin was aware of the stir they created. He was also quite aware of why people were so curious. The ball in question was being hosted by the sister of Aurora’s former lover. There was a great deal of conjecture and even a few bets on the books at various clubs about town as to whether or not Algernon Dunne would be in attendance. There were even more bets about what might take place. Did he intend to propose to Aurora? Would he call Gavin out for embarking on a relationship with her? How acrimonious had the split between the former lovers been?

The thing that astonished him about the aristocracy was how little of note they managed to fill their days with. Gossip and idleness and crowing about the misery of others seemed to be their greatest achievements.

“You look as if you are facing the executioner,” Aurora murmured softly. “Would it be so terrible to smile and not look dour and unhappy?”

“Yes,” he said. “But I’m here, in a place I am unhappy to be, and I will suffer it gladly to be by your side.”

“That was said very prettily,” she remarked. “Our purpose here is to allay any suspicions about Helen and Mr. St. James. I will report that she is still ill but recovering at my home. You will inform anyone who asks that you have sent him on an errand to one of your estates in the country.”

His lip quirked upward against his will. “Despite all the wicked things you did to distract me while we formulated this plan, I did manage to commit it to memory.”

Her expression shifted. To anyone else, it might have been imperceptible. But he could see the triumph in it. He could see how satisfied she was, not because of the pleasure he’d given her, but because of her ability to bring him to his knees. And all he wanted, more than anything, was to have her do it all again.

“Then, let’s bloody well circulate our misdirecting gossip and get the hell out of here.”

She looked at him. “I’m supposed to be tutoring you in all the ways of society, am I not?”

“You are,” he conceded. It was part of their agreement and part of their ruse.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.