Duke of Sin by Adele Ashworth

Author:Adele Ashworth
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2004-06-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Lady Elinor Chester took a long, deep breath then walked sensually to the full-length mirror near her bedroom window to study herself with a critical eye for the first time in years.

She really did look quite good for a woman now almost twenty-six years of age. Her long, silky blond hair was piled on top of her head while little ringlets framed her face. Her light blue eyes were delicately outlined with almost invisible lashes, but of course Elinor was an expert in the art of concealing minor flaws. She lightly applied bits of kohl to her lashes to make them darker, and skillfully rubbed rouge on her cheeks and lips to give them color. To her chagrin, Elinor found herself prone to occasional blemishes of the skin so she sometimes brushed powder on her face to absorb the oil.

Nevertheless, she was quite lovely, everyone thought so, and attracting men had never been a problem for her. In fact, it had been almost effortless until just recently when she began to notice that many of the eligible men were getting married to other women. This in itself was starting to bother her, for she only just realized that she was getting old. Not old in the aging sense but old in the marrying sense, and she absolutely refused to die unwed. During the last several months she’d slowly come to the conclusion that she was very nearly on the shelf in terms of marriage, and when she coupled that with the fact that she was running out of money, she was left with few reasonable choices. Now, at least, she had a plan.

Elinor stared hard at her reflection. Critically, the only flaw she possessed was her figure. She’d been built like a boy, a tad too slender, having no curves to speak of, and worst of all, cursed with an inexcusably small bosom. Most men in her experience didn’t tend to care all that much, however, for she presented herself to the gentlemen in society with a sensuality that overcompensated for her somewhat unfeminine shape. Yes, Elinor Chester certainly knew how to please a man in bed and that in itself was worth thousands.

A slamming door from the landing below pulled her out of her thoughts as she realized Steven had returned home at last. She’d received a note from him yesterday informing her that he’d be arriving today before noon, and although it had been years since he’d stood on the grounds of their estate, she was ready, more than ready, to face her brother again.

“Elinor!” he bellowed from the entrance hall.

She sighed, rolling her eyes before lifting her skirts to walk with a purposeful stride to receive him. She knew without a doubt he’d be waiting for her in their late father’s study. It’s where he’d always felt important and superior.

“There you are, little sister.” He half-smiled for her benefit.

Elinor stopped short in the doorway and literally gaped at him, astonished by the change in the man.

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