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

be Lord Dugdale’s plea after a frightful incident in his home last night, where a family heirloom mysteriously fell from a ledge and nearly landed on his head. But even more intriguing than an unexplained mishap is the tittle-tattle that he was seen in his bedchamber with a young lady new to the ton . Is it possible we will see the bans posted for the last of the Terrible Threesome?
    Lord Truefitt
    Society’s Daily Column
    O livia tossed her embroidery aside and jumped up from the settee where she’d been sitting for all of three minutes. She wasn’t in the mood to take her time with the tedious stitches on the intricate floral pattern. And reading had been impossible for her to concentrate on, too. She didn’t know if she had ever felt so restless.

    Perhaps it was because she hadn’t slept well. Usually she had no trouble finding slumber, but it had eluded her last night.
    She’d been up and dressed since dawn, impatiently waiting for her aunt to come belowstairs. When midday had passed and there was still no sign of Agatha, Olivia inquired about her. Their maid Susan replied that her aunt had said she would be down later.
    It was fast approaching midafternoon and she still hadn’t appeared. A couple of hours before, Olivia had wanted to barge into her aunt’s chamber without permission and demand they talk, but after last night, Olivia was reluctant to enter anyone’s room without an invitation.
    Olivia stood in the middle of the parlor and looked around the room. What else could she do but pace until her aunt chose to join her? Olivia had already lost all patience for trying to read, write poetry, or work with the needle.
    The constant drizzle of rain had made a walk in the gardens impossible. It wasn’t like her to be so twitchy, but then it wasn’t like her to let a complete stranger kiss her, either.
    What strange phenomena had caused her to behave in such a brazen manner?
    She didn’t like the unsettled feeling inside her. Her hands dropped to her sides as she strolled around the room taking time to look closely at each object. She didn’t par-ticularly want to dwell on the contents of the house, but she was struggling to find something to keep her mind off a certain rogue earl.
    The house Agatha had leased for the spring and summer was small but elegantly decorated with exceptional furniture, fine rugs, and expensive paintings. The draperies were rich red velvet trimmed military style with gold fringe and brass rosettes. Even accessories like the candlesticks, lamps, and figurines had the look of excellent quality.
    It was clear no expense had been spared with the furnishings or with the kitchen and flower gardens, which were tended every day by the servants who worked for the owners of the house. Olivia knew she and her aunt had only been allowed to lease the town house in the exclusive district of Mayfair because Agatha had known the owners for many years and they were quite fond of her.
    Olivia stopped to stare at a painting that hung on the wall by a handsome chair upholstered in a fine Chinese silk. It portrayed a young lady and her beau standing in the middle of a crowded dance floor. The gentleman was bowing as he kissed her hand, but his eyes were looking up at her face.
    She was smiling back at him.
    What surprised Olivia was that she’d been in this room every day for over a month and this was the first time she’d looked at the painting and saw the romance between the two people. The expression on the face of the gentleman spoke of the desire he had for the lovely maiden.
    Had Lord Dugdale looked at her like that last night?
    Had she wanted him to? Had she offered him even a hint of a smile?
    All night she’d remembered each touch of the earl’s fingertips on her skin. She’d felt the pressure of his lips on hers, the warmth of his arms and the whispered breath of each word he spoke.
    Olivia and Agatha had left Lord Dugdale’s home immediately after they quit his chamber. Olivia had