Read Online Dreamspinner by Olivia Drake - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Olivia Drake
Tags: Fiction, Historical fiction, Romance, Historical, E.L. James, Regency, Historical Romance, Bestseller, Romance fiction, Regency Romance, Victorian, adult fiction, Barbara Dawson Smith, nineteenth century, loretta chase, liz carlyle, 50 Shaedes of Gray, Stephanie Laurens
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day’s outing with Kent. Life is rarely perfect. Over and over she’d mulled his somber words, and each time they left her with an aching sympathy, with the need to soothe his suffering and rekindle the light of joy inside him. He’d seemed so at ease tramping through the woods, and younger somehow, as if the cares of a lonely life had lifted from his shoulders.
Until they’d spoken of Emily.
Perhaps the right woman could make him forget the morbid past and seek a happy future. Her heart warmed at the memory of the smiles they’d shared over each remarkable wildflower. If she closed her eyes, she could recall the rousing earthy essence of his scent...
“I say, Miss Carleton, you look positively blissful. Did you enjoy Wimbledon?”
Jerking her gaze toward Lord Breeton’s pallid face, Juliet drew a blank. “Wimbledon?”
“That is where you went yesterday, isn’t it?”
Everyone stared at her. Cheeks burning, she recalled the lie. “I... yes, of course. Lady Maud Peabody and I went there to visit her grandmother.”
“How is the dowager Lady Higgleston faring?” demanded the marchioness.
“Quite well, though her arthritis has been acting up.” Juliet took a sip of tea to ease her dry throat. “Might I say, my lady, that’s a stunning brooch you’re wearing. It’s a lovely match for the blue of your eyes.”
Preening, Lady Breeton patted the dainty sapphire pin, half swallowed by her huge breasts. “Why, how kind of you to say so. It was a gift from my dear departed Quentin.” The chair groaned under her weight as she swiveled toward the men. “Such a well mannered girl you have, Emmett.”
“Yes, she is, isn’t she?”
At her father’s proud expression, Juliet felt herself sinking deeper into a swamp of guilt. Her ploy might have diverted the discussion, but it had also won her praise when she didn’t wish to encourage Breeton’s suit. Looking from beneath her lashes, she studied his lordship and tried to imagine being his wife. Those spindly arms would hold her close, those mutton chop whiskers would brush her cheek as he kissed her—
A shudder seized her insides. No, she could not endure that, not even to please her parents. Emmett Carleton recounted an amusing tale about a mix up in negotiating the purchase of their house from the lord chancellor. He looked so bent on impressing the Breetons with his wealth that Juliet felt the stir of nausea.
What would he do if he knew the only man who fascinated her was the Duke of Radcliffe?
Chapter 4
She fascinated him. Kent Deverell sat at the desk in his study and stared at the silver fountain pen he rotated in his hands. Before him lay a half finished sketch for the mechanical thresher, but improving upon the invention failed to hold his attention. These past two weeks he’d lost the ability to concentrate.
Except on Juliet.
Dropping the pen, he picked up a wilted stalk of tansy, the yellow flowers gone brown and brittle. He smiled, remembering how she’d playfully tucked the stem into his buttonhole on an outing to Hampstead Heath. He’d always considered tansy a weed, but she made him see beauty in the most mundane of plants.
The moment he’d planned for so long now approached with inexorable speed. At this very instant, unaware of his intent to seduce her, Juliet Carleton was on her way here. His loins burned with the anticipation of possessing her body.
Instead of seeing her wed to a man of noble title, Emmett Carleton would endure whispers and gossip. He’d be hard pressed to find an aristocrat desperate enough to marry a fallen woman, even the heiress to a fortune.
And how would Juliet survive being shunned?
For the hundredth time, he conjured up her sparkling eyes and artless smile, the fine boned face that reflected her vibrant interest in life. She made him feel young again... sent him back to a time when he’d still believed that dreams could come true.
Abruptly he crushed the stalk of tansy; its strong aroma
Until they’d spoken of Emily.
Perhaps the right woman could make him forget the morbid past and seek a happy future. Her heart warmed at the memory of the smiles they’d shared over each remarkable wildflower. If she closed her eyes, she could recall the rousing earthy essence of his scent...
“I say, Miss Carleton, you look positively blissful. Did you enjoy Wimbledon?”
Jerking her gaze toward Lord Breeton’s pallid face, Juliet drew a blank. “Wimbledon?”
“That is where you went yesterday, isn’t it?”
Everyone stared at her. Cheeks burning, she recalled the lie. “I... yes, of course. Lady Maud Peabody and I went there to visit her grandmother.”
“How is the dowager Lady Higgleston faring?” demanded the marchioness.
“Quite well, though her arthritis has been acting up.” Juliet took a sip of tea to ease her dry throat. “Might I say, my lady, that’s a stunning brooch you’re wearing. It’s a lovely match for the blue of your eyes.”
Preening, Lady Breeton patted the dainty sapphire pin, half swallowed by her huge breasts. “Why, how kind of you to say so. It was a gift from my dear departed Quentin.” The chair groaned under her weight as she swiveled toward the men. “Such a well mannered girl you have, Emmett.”
“Yes, she is, isn’t she?”
At her father’s proud expression, Juliet felt herself sinking deeper into a swamp of guilt. Her ploy might have diverted the discussion, but it had also won her praise when she didn’t wish to encourage Breeton’s suit. Looking from beneath her lashes, she studied his lordship and tried to imagine being his wife. Those spindly arms would hold her close, those mutton chop whiskers would brush her cheek as he kissed her—
A shudder seized her insides. No, she could not endure that, not even to please her parents. Emmett Carleton recounted an amusing tale about a mix up in negotiating the purchase of their house from the lord chancellor. He looked so bent on impressing the Breetons with his wealth that Juliet felt the stir of nausea.
What would he do if he knew the only man who fascinated her was the Duke of Radcliffe?
Chapter 4
She fascinated him. Kent Deverell sat at the desk in his study and stared at the silver fountain pen he rotated in his hands. Before him lay a half finished sketch for the mechanical thresher, but improving upon the invention failed to hold his attention. These past two weeks he’d lost the ability to concentrate.
Except on Juliet.
Dropping the pen, he picked up a wilted stalk of tansy, the yellow flowers gone brown and brittle. He smiled, remembering how she’d playfully tucked the stem into his buttonhole on an outing to Hampstead Heath. He’d always considered tansy a weed, but she made him see beauty in the most mundane of plants.
The moment he’d planned for so long now approached with inexorable speed. At this very instant, unaware of his intent to seduce her, Juliet Carleton was on her way here. His loins burned with the anticipation of possessing her body.
Instead of seeing her wed to a man of noble title, Emmett Carleton would endure whispers and gossip. He’d be hard pressed to find an aristocrat desperate enough to marry a fallen woman, even the heiress to a fortune.
And how would Juliet survive being shunned?
For the hundredth time, he conjured up her sparkling eyes and artless smile, the fine boned face that reflected her vibrant interest in life. She made him feel young again... sent him back to a time when he’d still believed that dreams could come true.
Abruptly he crushed the stalk of tansy; its strong aroma
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