Wicked (Reformed Rakes Novella Book 1) by Amy Sandas

Author:Amy Sandas [Sandas, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: reformed rake, steamy historical romance, rake and wallflower, regency historical romance, Historical Romance
Publisher: Amy Sandas
Published: 2019-06-25T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

A few hours and a few stiff drinks later, Roman was alone in his room. It was after midnight and most of the guests had retired in preparation for an early start the next morning, so the grand house was quiet. His friends had gone on to their beds long ago, Allerton with his new bride, Melbourne with a wealthy young widow who’d just finished her year of mourning, and Vittori with his usual variety of bedmates.

Roman had also received an offer of companionship for the night. The lovely baroness who’d sat next to him at dinner found him just as he was leaving the drawing room to seek a reprieve from the constant socializing in the billiard room. She’d made sure he knew which room she was using and that she’d be alone that night.

Any other time Roman likely would have been tempted. Tonight, he preferred solitude. If he couldn’t have the woman he wanted in his bed, he’d rather have none.

Unfortunately, sleep was hard to come by.

He found himself pacing his room, filled with an unsettling hunger that wouldn’t leave him. He’d stripped down to his evening breeches in an attempt to cool the heat under his skin, but the night air provided no relief when he imagined it as the cool fingers of Miss Dellacourt caressing his body in innocent exploration.

Perhaps he should return to London tonight.

A little geographical distance might help. Then, at least, the object of his desire would not be within such easy reach. Not that he would go to her. No matter how badly he wanted to.

She was firmly off-limits. Her innocence alone was enough to keep Roman from pursuing her, but Roman’s history with her brother made anything between them laughable in the extreme. If Roman had even a shred of nobility in him, he had to ensure no further contact with her.

And now that she had garnered Westcott’s attention, there should be no cause for her to seek him out again.

Roman stalked to the window and shoved aside the drapes to let in a flood of moonlight.

Miss Dellacourt and Lord Westcott made a fine pair. With her dark hair, vibrant gaze, and optimism, Miss Dellacourt presented a natural and dramatic foil to the lord who stood so tall and fair, with a blasé stare and infinitely proper manner.

They were perfect for each other. They might even find a degree of happiness together until the years wore them down and bitterness took over. Eventually, they’d seek companionship elsewhere. Marriages amongst the ton were meant to last in duty, not in faith and loyalty.

It had been the way of it with his parents just as it was with so many others. There might have been true love and happiness between his parents at first, but it had only taken a few years before they were both seeking other people’s beds. Eventually, they no longer even tried to hide it as they traded bed partners frequently amongst their social set.

No loyalty. No constancy.

It was the way of things.

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