Read Online Pleasures of a Tempted Lady by Jennifer Haymore - Free Book Online

their husbands aren’t lions.”
    “Their husbands?” Meg frowned. “My other sisters have married, too?”
    Will nodded gravely. “Phoebe is married to Mr. Sebastian Harper—he was once well known as a rake about town, but she has, much to my surprise, tamed him.”
    Meg could tell that Will had been involved in their relationship. How close was Will to her sisters, anyhow? Eight years ago, Serena had known him only on the most formal terms.
    “And Olivia is married to the Duke of Wakefield.”
    Jerked from her thoughts, Meg choked on the air she’d been inhaling. “What? Olivia?”
    He nodded, and she slumped back in her seat, her fingers stilling in Jake’s hair. “Sweet Olivia,” she mused. In truth, she’d been afraid to ask about Olivia. After a bout with malaria as a child, Olivia’s health had never been strong. And to think she’d married. To think she’d married a duke! “A duke?” she murmured. “Now that is something…”
    Will smiled. “It is indeed. They are very happy together, too.”
    “How long have they been married?”
    “Only three months. But they are famous in London.” He chuckled. “Your sister’s illness has gone public, and contrary to expectation, people have gloried in the romance of it all. It’s said theirs is the most romantic society match of the century.”
    “Really?”
    Will nodded.
    “And what about Jessica? She’s only nineteen. Is she married, too?”
    “No, not Jessica. Although your brothers-in-law have been fighting off suitors by the horde.”
    “Well, that’s not a surprise.” Jessica was not only the most beautiful, but she also possessed the most outgoing, gregarious nature of all the Donovan sisters. Meg had always predicted that when Jessica came of age, it would be a struggle to keep her free from scandal.
    “I’m glad she’s not married,” Meg murmured. “She’s too young.”
    “You sound like your sisters,” Will said. “But no one’s worried. No man has struck Jessica’s fancy yet.”
    Meg narrowed her eyes. “You seem very well versed in the goings-on in my family, Captain Langley.”
    “I am well versed in the lives of all of your sisters.”
    “How did that come to pass?”
    “Well…” He gave her an uncomfortable smile. “It has to do with that bit of news I think you should know.” He hesitated, then asked, “Are you certain you want to know? Are you sure it’s not too much for one day?”
    Meg’s body tensed all over. Jake felt it and mumbled in his sleep. She put a comforting hand over him and looked at Will. “Just say it.”
    Will took a deep breath. “Nothing came of it,” he said. “Nevertheless, it’s public knowledge and therefore something you should be aware of.”
    She nodded, hoping he would continue, because she had no idea what he was talking about.
    “After you and Serena left London eight years ago, I waited to hear from you for months. I finally received a letter. It was from you.”
    “But… I didn’t send you any letters,” she whispered. She’d wanted to. Lord, how she’d wanted to, especially at the beginning, when she’d dreamed nightly of freedom.
    Will shook his head. “No. I know that now. It was…Mrs. Donovan. Your mother. She was already planning for Serena’s future. In the letter, she wrote that your sister, Serena, had been lost at sea.” His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. “Several years later, I sold my commission. I thought you were still alive, Meg. You and I had been communicating for years. I really believed it was you, not your mother…” He clasped his hands tightly together in his lap. “Two years ago, I was ready. I was free of the Navy, wealthy, and finally in a position to—” He stopped abruptly and stared at her with eyes brimming with grief. Each word emerged with clear effort. “I wrote to you and asked you to be my wife.”
    She simply stared at him, on the verge of being unable to understand. How could it be? She’d always dreamed of