Read Online Ladies of Deception 02 - Misleading Lord Martineau by Ginny Hartman - Free Book Online

interest for sure but I doubt he’s the kind to rush into marriage. I’ve done everything I can to encourage male attention but things are just not going as well as I would like. If only I had more time, I’m convinced our plan could work eventually but the problem is we need it to work immediately.”
    “Is there anyone, anyone at all who comes to mind? Surely there has got to be some elderly widower who would leap at the chance to marry a beautiful young widow. The older gentlemen are usually more anxious to be wed than the younger generation, eager to replace their lost companionship.”
    Felicity cringed, thinking of being married to somebody old enough to be her father. Seeing the distress on her face, Aunt Agatha gingerly lowered herself to sit on the stair beside her, reaching one arm around her shoulder and pulling her close. “You know that normally I wouldn’t dare suggest such a displeasing idea, but I can’t see any other way. Are you absolutely sure there is no one else to consider, no one else who may be interested?”
    Unwittingly an image of Elliot flashed through Felicity’s mind. She allowed herself to briefly wonder if she approached him if he would be willing to be her rescuer. She gave a sardonic laugh thinking of how he failed to rescue her the first time, sure she couldn’t put her faith in him ever again.
    Her laugh startled Aunt Agatha who looked at her curiously. “What’s that laugh about child?”
    Patting her Aunt’s hand in a gesture of comfort she replied, “Oh nothing. Give me some time to think about things, I’m sure there’s a solution to be had. If nothing else we can leave, flee the city if we must.”
    “ But where would we go?”
    “ I haven’t a clue,” she answered honestly, “All I know is that I will never live with my cousin again, never.”
    Once Felicity was dressed in her cotton nightgown and curled up in bed she let her mind wander. She knew that she needed to spend all of her time trying to concoct a feasible plan that would aid them in their current predicament but instead she couldn’t stop playing over and over again the kiss she had shared earlier with Elliot. She got chills just thinking about the way he had caressed her, holding her tightly as if he was afraid to let her go. For the smallest second of time she had allowed herself to stop thinking; her past and her current quandary had faded from her mind completely as she responded to Elliot’s kiss with a long suppressed desire.
    She suddenly felt flushed remembering the passion that always seemed to ignite between them. She threw her covers back and got up to crack the window. Returning once more to her bed she forced herself to remember all of the reasons she loathed Elliot Martineau, but against her will memory after memory kept flitting through her mind of happier times.
    She remembered their first kiss and smiled at the memory. He had gotten permission from her father to take her on a picnic. Her lady’s maid Beatrice accompanied them on the outing. She had been so excited to get to spend some time with him that she could scarcely pay an ounce of attention to anyone other than him. One of the things that had always impressed her about Elliot was his easy manner; she had always felt comfortable with him and that day had been no exception.
    Once they had arrived at Kensington Gardens, they quickly found a perfect place to set up their picnic. Elliot had brought a blanket that he spread out on the grass before they lowered themselves to the ground and began unpacking the contents of the picnic basket. The fare consisted of cold cuts of ham and cheese, biscuits and sweet strawberries with gingerbread cakes for dessert. The combination of sunshine and good company made the meal taste even more delicious.
    After the trio had eaten their fill, Elliot worked his magic to convince Beatrice to keep watch over their belongings while he escorted Felicity on a stroll, promising to keep within seeing