Read Online Fortune Knocks Once by Elizabeth Delavan - Free Book Online
Authors: Elizabeth Delavan
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one,” the housekeeper said while wiping the tears from her eyes.
“And it’s missing dinner they’ll be, I’d wager heavily.”
“No takers on that one, sir. It’s often they miss dinner.”
Neither Charlotte nor Colin had ever noticed the subtle smiles exchanged by the servants over their romantic interludes, which was all for the better. Charlotte had thoughts only for Colin and he was lost in the foggy haze of a carnal lust and hunger that seemed to grow the more it was indulged.
Later that night, in bed, he turned her over gently and nudged her shoulder. “It’s your turn luv.”
She gave him a long look from beneath her tousled hair and languorous drooping eyelids.
Do not make me get up. I just want to sleep.
“Come on, I’m filthy. You know I cannot sleep with the dirt of the estate all over me. Call my bath. As lord of the castle, I demand it,” he almost shouted imperiously. She gave him a playful shove and an indignant look as she rose from the bed.
It was their ritual. They took turns bathing each other, dressing each other, exploring every inch of the other’s body. There was no part of him that she hadn’t adored and caressed and he had loved her with a vigor and enthusiasm unlike anything he had known before.
The following morning, Colin strolled into the bedroom as Charlotte was moving about the room, dressing slowly and contentedly. He moved behind her and swiftly kissed the back of her neck, exposed by her dressing gown. Then he turned her around so they were facing each other.
He gently brushed the hair from her face. “We need to return to London, luv,” Colin informed her somberly. “A letter arrived from my solicitor today. Your uncle is saying you were kidnapped and are being held against your will.
“We need to return to London, make a great fuss of moving in Society and deal with this directly before the gossip runs wild,” he declared, even as he moved to call the servants and begin packing for their trip.
She gazed after him with an uneasy foreboding that caused her to shiver unconsciously as she slowly moved to continue dressing so she could help him prepare for their trip.
~~~
Chapter Ten
Charlotte sat in the first floor sitting room of Colin’s London townhouse unsuccessfully attempting to read. After their late arrival in London the night before, Colin had risen quite early and gone out while Charlotte had languished in bed several hours longer.
Feeling unsure of herself and out of sorts with Colin for not explaining his plans for the day, she had alternated all morning between reading and staring wistfully out the window, wishing Colin would return. Her shoulders were slumped and her body drooped in melancholy uneasiness. Just being in London again made her remember the awful years with her uncle.
Can I not amuse myself anymore? Goodness, I have become an inexcusably clinging creature. He leaves for a morning and I am bereft. At least in my uncle’s house I could enjoy my solitude.
“Lady Elizabeth Seymour, ma’ lady,” said Gil looming in the doorway of the sitting room.
Charlotte’s head jerked up at Gil’s announcement and her face flushed with panic. The last thing Charlotte had expected today was to be confronted with visitors. With a confused and apprehensive look, she rose from her chair and moved forward to greet the blonde, blue-eyed goddess who entered the room. The woman looked to be about the same age as Charlotte but there all similarities vanished.
She was wearing a gorgeous, dark-purple coat dress with three tiers of pleated ruffles circling the neck and another pleated ruff standing upright and framing her regally held neck and head. The sleeves of the coat sported four poufs from shoulder to wrist accented with dainty ribbons.
A cotton lawn bonnet of eyelet lace, ribbon and silk flowers completed the ensemble, which made Charlotte feel like
“And it’s missing dinner they’ll be, I’d wager heavily.”
“No takers on that one, sir. It’s often they miss dinner.”
Neither Charlotte nor Colin had ever noticed the subtle smiles exchanged by the servants over their romantic interludes, which was all for the better. Charlotte had thoughts only for Colin and he was lost in the foggy haze of a carnal lust and hunger that seemed to grow the more it was indulged.
Later that night, in bed, he turned her over gently and nudged her shoulder. “It’s your turn luv.”
She gave him a long look from beneath her tousled hair and languorous drooping eyelids.
Do not make me get up. I just want to sleep.
“Come on, I’m filthy. You know I cannot sleep with the dirt of the estate all over me. Call my bath. As lord of the castle, I demand it,” he almost shouted imperiously. She gave him a playful shove and an indignant look as she rose from the bed.
It was their ritual. They took turns bathing each other, dressing each other, exploring every inch of the other’s body. There was no part of him that she hadn’t adored and caressed and he had loved her with a vigor and enthusiasm unlike anything he had known before.
The following morning, Colin strolled into the bedroom as Charlotte was moving about the room, dressing slowly and contentedly. He moved behind her and swiftly kissed the back of her neck, exposed by her dressing gown. Then he turned her around so they were facing each other.
He gently brushed the hair from her face. “We need to return to London, luv,” Colin informed her somberly. “A letter arrived from my solicitor today. Your uncle is saying you were kidnapped and are being held against your will.
“We need to return to London, make a great fuss of moving in Society and deal with this directly before the gossip runs wild,” he declared, even as he moved to call the servants and begin packing for their trip.
She gazed after him with an uneasy foreboding that caused her to shiver unconsciously as she slowly moved to continue dressing so she could help him prepare for their trip.
~~~
Chapter Ten
Charlotte sat in the first floor sitting room of Colin’s London townhouse unsuccessfully attempting to read. After their late arrival in London the night before, Colin had risen quite early and gone out while Charlotte had languished in bed several hours longer.
Feeling unsure of herself and out of sorts with Colin for not explaining his plans for the day, she had alternated all morning between reading and staring wistfully out the window, wishing Colin would return. Her shoulders were slumped and her body drooped in melancholy uneasiness. Just being in London again made her remember the awful years with her uncle.
Can I not amuse myself anymore? Goodness, I have become an inexcusably clinging creature. He leaves for a morning and I am bereft. At least in my uncle’s house I could enjoy my solitude.
“Lady Elizabeth Seymour, ma’ lady,” said Gil looming in the doorway of the sitting room.
Charlotte’s head jerked up at Gil’s announcement and her face flushed with panic. The last thing Charlotte had expected today was to be confronted with visitors. With a confused and apprehensive look, she rose from her chair and moved forward to greet the blonde, blue-eyed goddess who entered the room. The woman looked to be about the same age as Charlotte but there all similarities vanished.
She was wearing a gorgeous, dark-purple coat dress with three tiers of pleated ruffles circling the neck and another pleated ruff standing upright and framing her regally held neck and head. The sleeves of the coat sported four poufs from shoulder to wrist accented with dainty ribbons.
A cotton lawn bonnet of eyelet lace, ribbon and silk flowers completed the ensemble, which made Charlotte feel like
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