Ritual Passion by Emma Wildes

Author:Emma Wildes [Wildes, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Erotica
Publisher: Phaze Books
Published: 2010-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

The young woman at the pianoforte banged out another blasphemous set of chords, and he could feel the collective wince from the people sitting all around him.

Smiling grimly, Richard sipped from his glass of champagne, cursing himself inwardly for being such a damned fool. This was exactly the reason he declined all the Earl's invitations, and here he was, lured by a sweet smile and luscious, captivating body. The only consolation for his capitulation was that Sara looked particularly radiant in misty green satin that emphasized the color of her unusual eyes, her blonde hair loosely pulled up in a simple style so soft ringlets fell over her ivory shoulders.

The bleak side, of course, was that it was certainly more prudent if he pretended he didn't notice her stunning beauty, an almost impossible task.

Next to him, Lady Whitley muttered languidly, "Miss Blackwood has always had a somewhat exaggerated opinion of her musical talents. I hope Rutland warned you to bring some cotton for your ears when he invited you, Mr. Terrance."

Considering his invitation had been given in the usual absent manner, there had been no instructions of any kind. Richard smiled grimly and answered,"Her enthusiasm is admirable."

"That is a kind, gentlemanly comment if I have ever heard one." Lucinda Whitley smiled at him, her voice very low. A few years younger than himself at a guess, she was voluptuous to the point of being plump, dressed in a pink, beribboned gown displaying her generous charms, and had dark hair and a slightly crooked nose that somehow added to her attractiveness. The entire evening she had openly flirted with him, but thankfully, her husband didn't seem to even notice, much less mind.

On the other hand, it was obvious to him but hopefully to no one else, Sara was becoming quite irritated.

When the ill-fated performance finally crashed to a close and they all had clapped with obligatory enthusiasm, everyone rose to go into dinner.

Lady Whitley offered her arm and he had no choice but to escort her, wondering how early he could politely escape. At least during the meal he could occupy himself with eating, he mused darkly.

The dining room was nearly the size of his entire house, a vast space with frescoed ceilings and a long table easily seating all twenty guests. Crystal glittered and there were dozens of candles in huge silver candelabras illuminating the space. His assigned spot was gratefully away from the overfriendly Lucinda, but disturbingly directly across from Sara. Why the devil did I agree to this? The answer was, of course, because he couldn't deny her, even when it was best for them both if he stayed away from her in public as much as possible. She'd asked him directly to accept the invitation after their tempestuous night of lovemaking, and he had capitulated to please her.

Right before he'd kissed her goodbye and watched her slip back into the house through one of the servant's entrances.

"Tell us, Mr. Terrance, have you always had such an

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