Twice the Temptation by Beverley Kendall

Author:Beverley Kendall
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical romance, Victorian, Fiction
ISBN: 9780983800682
Publisher: Season Publishing LLC
Published: 2013-11-17T22:00:00+00:00

Until Lucas had felt Catherine’s gaze boring him with her displeasure, it hadn’t occurred to him that a pique of jealousy could play a part in winning her back. But he was glad of it. It had given him the chance he didn’t think he’d ever have again.

“Lucas, where have you been?”

Turning to the left as he stepped into the ballroom, he spied Lydia coming toward him. Clad all in white, she looked too angelic and too young to marry. He hoped she wouldn’t find a husband for several more years.

“I stepped out for some air.”

His sister’s gaze went pointedly to the white-paned doors and the rain now beating against them. “In the rain?” she asked, skeptically.

“Well it wasn’t raining when I first went out.” It had started to rain in earnest a minute ago. Catherine had returned to the ball before him, giving Lucas the time he’d needed to cool his ardor and get his erection under control.

“Caroline isn’t feeling well. She would like to go home.” Lydia didn’t appear at all happy about the latter.

“She is ill? What is wrong with her?”

“Lord Billings is here.”

Ah! That sort of illness.

Lucas let out a heavy sigh, acute disappointment dampening his good mood. If he wasn’t to have Catherine in his bed tonight, he’d been looking forward to holding her in his arms for a waltz or two.

“Is it truly as bad as all that?” he asked, frowning. It had to be his sister’s pride that was suffering for she hadn’t been heartbroken when the engagement had been called off.

“She was threatening to walk home when I came in search of you.”

Theatrics. Typical Caroline when it suited her purpose. “Very well then. I shall have them bring the carriage around.”

After skirting the dance floor, they came upon Caroline, Catherine, and Lady Olivia standing together near the entrance doors off the picture gallery.

A faint blush stained Catherine’s cheeks when she saw him approaching. “Your sister is unwell.” She addressed him but appeared to have difficulty maintaining eye contact.

“So I’ve been told,” he replied dryly.

“And Catherine is complaining of a headache,” Lady Olivia added.

“Indeed? Not an unbearable one I hope?” Unsure of what she was up to, Lucas was solicitous in his response.

Her blush deepened but her voice remained composed. “Tolerable but I should like to go home as well.”

Lucas suppressed a smile. Now he understood what she was about and no one would hear an argument from him.

Lady Olivia sent Catherine a sly glance—as if she knew full well the only thing Catherine suffered from could not be cured by medicinal means or sleep. She exhaled heavily. “I imagine that means I must take my leave as well.” She paused and her eyes widened as if an idea had just struck. “Unless, Mr. Beaumont would be so kind as to see Catherine home?”

If he hadn’t known better, he might actually have believed she wasn’t doing her best to manipulate the circumstances to their advantage. Definitely something he could admire in any friend of Catherine’s.

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