Read Online Adrienne Basso by The Ultimate Lover - Free Book Online

inflated, there was also great truth in the gossip. There had never before been a woman he set in his sights that he did not ultimately win.
    Emma Fairweather was the single exception to that fact. Throughout the Season he had misjudged the best way to handle her, had failed to unlock the secret that would bring her into his bed. Was this extended house party going to yield more of the same negative results?
    Gareth groaned out loud at the very idea. He had never chased a woman this hard and this long without success. Yet his failure was feeding the drive to continue and win. It was almost as if his need for victory was now almost greater than his specific desire for Mrs. Fairweather. Emma.
    She had given him leave to call her by her first name a few weeks ago. A petty, hollow advance. Why, it had only taken a few hours for the Dowager Countess of Monford to afford him that same intimacy.
    Amelia. Gareth rolled the name around on his tongue, his thoughts focusing on the woman. He decided he liked her. It was something he rarely even considered feeling for a woman. Initially she seemed rather meek and mild-mannered, but he sensed there must be an inner core of strength inside her. Clearly her marriage had been an unhappy one, yet she had survived and moved beyond it.
    If he were not so overpowered by his need for Emma he might even consider a flirtation with the countess. At first he thought her rather plain, but after their dance last evening he realized she had several exceptional features, particularly her expressive hazel eyes and flawless ivory skin.
    Realizing that the direction of his thoughts was not aiding his present state of arousal, Gareth threw back the covers and left his empty bed. The viscount rang the servant cord in his room, instructing the footman who answered to rouse his valet.
    Forty-five minutes later, freshly shaved and elegantly dressed, Gareth left his bedchamber. Last night the lovely Emma had hinted that she often breakfasted at an unfashionably early hour. Perhaps that was her way of letting him know this was the perfect opportunity for them to be alone?
    The viscount met many servants, but no other guests as he navigated the many twists and turns of the large house. He stepped eagerly into the dining room and noted the sideboard had already been laid with silver chaffing dishes. Even covered, the tantalizing aroma of the various foods escaped and drifted about the room.
    As he expected, Gareth encountered more servants in the room, eager to assist the duke’s guests. He waved them away, for his attention had already been captured by something far more delectable than the food. On the far side of the room, seated at the impossibly long mahogany dining table was another guest. A lady.
    There was a familiarity about her that set his blood to pumping. Thanks to the distance and angle of her head, he could not discern the exact set of her features. He started toward her, but as he drew closer the light of expectation in his eyes died.
    “Good morning, Gareth. I am surprised to see you up and about. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed the quiet and stillness of the morning.”
    “Hello, Amelia.” Tempering the edge of his disappointment, Gareth seated himself beside the dowager countess. He noticed she was dressed for riding, in a golden hued ensemble that flattered her complexion. “Have you brought along one of your mounts?”
    “To breakfast?” She blushed, almost as though she were astonished by her bold quip. “Forgive my jest. The answer to your question, is no, I did not bring along one of my horses. It was a three-day journey here from my home. Only eager young gentlemen ride such great distances on horseback. Creaky dowagers like myself must ride in large, comfortable coaches when traveling.”
    Amusement lifted the corner of his mouth. “I see you still have not forgotten that passing remark concerning my grandmother.”
    “Not a single word of it. I might be advanced in years,