Read Online Everything Forbidden by Jess Michaels - Free Book Online Page B

Miranda stared at herself in the mirror with renewed purpose.
    She could do this. She had to. At this point, her only hope was seduction.

Five
    A stroll through the woods was normally Miranda’s favorite pastime in the summer months. Even before she’d become obsessed with spying on Ethan’s sexual exploits, she had loved the quiet of nature, the feel of a soft breeze on her face. Time spent alone had helped her handle her overbearing mother’s demands and the slow realization that her father wasn’t the heroic figure she had believed him to be as a sheltered child.
    Today, however, her walk was no stroll, but more akin to a death march. She hardly noticed her surroundings, let alone took peace in them, as she made her way over the rolling hills toward Ethan’s home. Instead of quiet, an insistent refrain played over in her head. A skipping question about Ethan. What would he do to her? What would he say?
    Today was the first full twenty-four hours of their agreement. With the barrier of her virginity gone, he would begin his promised debauchery in earnest.
    As she stepped through the final veil of trees, Miranda shivered, though the air was warm. Across the lawn Ethan’s palatial home rose up like a beacon. Or point of no return. Which, she wasn’t quite certain yet.
    But that was her destination and there was no going back. Not anymore.
    As Miranda straightened her shoulders and tried to smooth the lines of nervousness away from her face, she forced herself to move. She wouldn’t give Ethan the satisfaction of seeing her worries. No, she would remain in control. She would use everything she’d secretly seen against him.
    At least she would try. It was her only weapon in this sensual war.
    She climbed up the marble stairs leading to Ethan’s front door and extended a shaking hand to knock. But before she could rap her knuckles across the shining surface, the door opened and revealed Ethan’s stern-faced butler. As always, he appeared disapproving and Miranda felt the blood begin to move to her cheeks. Clearly, Ethan’s servants were privy to her secret, or at least some of them were.
    “Good morning, Winston,” she managed to croak out with as much dignity as she could muster given the circumstances.
    “Good morning, Miss Albright,” he said with a small nod of the head. “ He is expecting you. Please follow me.”
    Miranda shoved her shaking hands behind her back and trailed after Winston as he led her down a long hallway to the backstairs. She looked around as they ascended to the second floor.
    For as long as she had known of his secret trysts, the appearance of Ethan’s home had shocked her. Not because it was so very decadent, but because it was the complete opposite. The décor was elegant and masculine, done in dark colors with tasteful art.
    It made all his vices that much more fascinating. Like he was two people. One the outwardly sinful lord with a reputation of seduction, the other a respectable gentleman who lurked under the surface and appreciated the finer things life had to offer.
    Winston paused at a locked doorway halfway down the hall. He produced a key from his waistcoat and opened it, but didn’t step inside. Instead, he motioned for Miranda to enter the room in front of him.
    “You will find a door along the west wall,” he explained with a frown. “Go through there and Lord Rothschild will join you in a few moments.”
    Miranda stared into the dim room before she shook off her thoughts and nodded to Winston. “Thank you.”
    “Good day, miss,” he said as she entered and he pulled the door shut.
    Miranda hesitated, waiting for the sound of the lock being slid back into place, imprisoning her like in some gothic novel where the wicked gentleman seduced the virginal heroine. But that never happened. Instead, Winston’s muffled footsteps moved away from the chamber door. But, then, Ethan didn’t have to lock her in, did he? She had entered into this bargain of her own free will.