Read Online A Taste of Temptation by Amelia Grey - Free Book Online

the image of Miss Banning he must remember.
    She was obviously drawn to his title and fortune, his connections to London’s most prestigious families, and maybe even his looks. Most young ladies considered him the handsome sort.
    She had remained adamant that there was nothing between the two of them during the conversation in his room with the older ladies. But he was sure that was all part of her innocent act to get her way eventually.
    Andrew escorted the young lady off the dance floor and returned her to her mother who was bent on regaling him with her daughter’s attributes. She was lovely, with dark hair and light brown eyes. Any other night he might have been tempted to spend more time with her.
    But not tonight.
    He bid his farewells to the ladies and was heading to get another drink when he saw his good friends John and Chandler standing by the courtyard door. Both were motioning for him to follow them outside.
    He had no doubt as to why they wanted to see him alone.
    For a moment, he was tempted to ignore them and not to go, but realized he would have to face them sooner or later.
    Glancing at the hall clock, he saw it had taken more than two hours for them hear about his misfortune with Miss Banning. That surprised him. If this entire incident hadn’t been so serious, he would have laughed.
    Andrew stepped outside into warm night air. It was a clear night, free of fog, clouds, or mist, but only a small slice of a bright moon broke the blackness of the sky.
    Andrew couldn’t help but think the endless canopy of darkness matched his mood. He spoke to several people who were also enjoying the nighttime atmosphere before reaching his friends who stood at the far end of the por-tico.
    “What the devil is this we hear about you and a young lady being caught in your bedchamber?” John asked as soon as Andrew was close enough to hear them.
    “If it’s true, it’s one hell of a story,” Chandler added.
    “No kidding,” Andrew said after taking a deep breath.
    “You look like you need a drink,” John said, offering Andrew the glass he held in his hand.
    He needed more than just a drink. A beautiful enchantress was trying to upset the contented balance he’d just achieved in his life. He feared it would be a battle of wills between the two of them.
    “My finest brandy hasn’t begun to dull my senses tonight.”
    “Maybe that’s just as well. Tell us what happened.” Andrew gazed out over his garden. The greenery was lush from rain and dotted with splashes of color from the spring blossoms. The entire back area glowed from lamps that lit the limestone walkways.
    He shook his head and laughed. “It is so unbelievable, my friends, that it’s downright laughable.”
    “Speak, man. Tell us, what were you thinking to arrange an interlude with a young lady in your room?”
    “And while you had one hundred guests in your house?
    It’s absurd.” John added.
    “You’ve done some wild things, Andrew, we all have, but this goes beyond them all.”
    Andrew looked from one friend to the other. He knew they thought him mad. “That’s the hell of it, fellows. I didn’t arrange to meet her. I had never even met her. I went up to my room and there she was.”
    “Who?” John questioned.
    “The lady’s name is Miss Olivia Banning.”
    “You’ll have to point her out to us.”

    “I’ve looked the house over,” Andrew answered. “She’s already left the party.”
    “So who is this Miss Olivia Banning?” John asked.
    “And what was she doing in your room if you didn’t invite her?”
    Andrew hesitated. He hadn’t kept much from them in all the years they’d been friends, but he didn’t want to tell them how Miss Banning had looked shadowed by lamplight, standing by his dressing table, holding his shaving soap to her nose, eyes closed and inhaling the scent.
    Even now the remembrance did strange things to his insides.
    “I’m not sure. She was just standing near the looking glass.”
    “Well,