Read Online Pursued By The Viscount by Carole Mortimer - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Carole Mortimer
Ads: Link
“So you see, pet, at present you are my only means of diversion from the tedium of Society.”
Rachel responded warmly to both that amused glitter and his term of affection. “Then by all means, we shall meet again tomorrow evening, my lord.”
He relaxed back against the chaise. “What invitation have you accepted?”
“Only your own, my lord.” She looked up at him beneath lowered lashes.
Lucien chuckled. “Then I shall have to think of a suitable amusement to keep you occupied.”
Rachel found herself very much looking forward to tomorrow evening. To seeing and being with Lucien again.
Rachel sang softly to herself as she arranged flowers and greenery in a vase in the cavernous entrance hall of Shaw House. She had ventured out into the sunshine of the garden earlier, to cut the last of the summer roses.
She felt light as air this morning. Happier than she had ever felt before. Yesterday evening with Lucien had been…a revelation. Her cheeks warmed and her body tingled in awareness every time her thoughts drifted to having Lucien’s mouth and hands on her so intimately.
He had been a considerate and experienced lover, knowing of a lady’s pleasure spots and yet somehow making her feel special, the intimacy uniquely their own.
He had kissed her again, long and deeply, after accompanying her home in his carriage. A kiss that had made her toes curl and caused a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach.
For the first time in many years, Rachel felt truly alive, filled with anticipation for the days—and evenings—ahead.
“Those are very pretty, Mama.”
Rachel turned, a beaming smile lighting her face as she looked at her young son in his new blue skeleton suit. William had been filled with pride when he was considered mature enough to wear the suit rather than the “dresses” he considered babyish. “Thank you, darling.” She caught him up in a hug. “Are you and Nurse going for your morning stroll?” She smiled at the nursemaid who accompanied him, a young woman who had been with her since William’s birth.
“Yes, my lady.” Becky looked on indulgently.
“Come with us, Mama,” William wheedled as he twined his arms about Rachel’s neck. He had inherited his blond curls and dark eyes from her, but his features were all his father: round face, full lips, a stubborn chin. Rachel loved him in spite of that likeness rather than because of it. William was not responsible for who and what his father had been. “We’re going to feed the ducks in the park.”
“I wish I could.” Rachel became wistful. “But I have correspondence to deal with this morning.” No matter what her own desires might be, she kept up appearances in Society for her small son’s sake, knowing that one day, he would take his place in that world as Lord William Shaw.
Until then, she intended ensuring William had the happiest childhood she could provide. There would be time enough when he was older to introduce him to the onerous duties of his title.
She placed him back on the tiled floor before straightening. “Run along with Nurse now, darling. I will join you in the nursery as usual for luncheon. Becky, do you have—” She broke off as the bell rang over the front door and no doubt in the servants’ quarters below stairs. A belief confirmed seconds later as Alder, her butler, walked briskly across the entrance hall and opened the door.
Rachel felt the blood drain from her cheeks as she recognized the gentleman standing there.
Chapter 8
“Becky, take William to the kitchen and ask Cook for some stale bread to feed the ducks,” she instructed distractedly, her attention fixed on the doorway as her blackmailer handed his card to Alder. “Leave the house through the servants’ door,” she added sharply as she pushed her son in the direction of the hallway leading down to the kitchen. Her intention was to keep William as far away from her visitor as possible.
What did this man mean by openly
Rachel responded warmly to both that amused glitter and his term of affection. “Then by all means, we shall meet again tomorrow evening, my lord.”
He relaxed back against the chaise. “What invitation have you accepted?”
“Only your own, my lord.” She looked up at him beneath lowered lashes.
Lucien chuckled. “Then I shall have to think of a suitable amusement to keep you occupied.”
Rachel found herself very much looking forward to tomorrow evening. To seeing and being with Lucien again.
Rachel sang softly to herself as she arranged flowers and greenery in a vase in the cavernous entrance hall of Shaw House. She had ventured out into the sunshine of the garden earlier, to cut the last of the summer roses.
She felt light as air this morning. Happier than she had ever felt before. Yesterday evening with Lucien had been…a revelation. Her cheeks warmed and her body tingled in awareness every time her thoughts drifted to having Lucien’s mouth and hands on her so intimately.
He had been a considerate and experienced lover, knowing of a lady’s pleasure spots and yet somehow making her feel special, the intimacy uniquely their own.
He had kissed her again, long and deeply, after accompanying her home in his carriage. A kiss that had made her toes curl and caused a strange fluttering sensation in her stomach.
For the first time in many years, Rachel felt truly alive, filled with anticipation for the days—and evenings—ahead.
“Those are very pretty, Mama.”
Rachel turned, a beaming smile lighting her face as she looked at her young son in his new blue skeleton suit. William had been filled with pride when he was considered mature enough to wear the suit rather than the “dresses” he considered babyish. “Thank you, darling.” She caught him up in a hug. “Are you and Nurse going for your morning stroll?” She smiled at the nursemaid who accompanied him, a young woman who had been with her since William’s birth.
“Yes, my lady.” Becky looked on indulgently.
“Come with us, Mama,” William wheedled as he twined his arms about Rachel’s neck. He had inherited his blond curls and dark eyes from her, but his features were all his father: round face, full lips, a stubborn chin. Rachel loved him in spite of that likeness rather than because of it. William was not responsible for who and what his father had been. “We’re going to feed the ducks in the park.”
“I wish I could.” Rachel became wistful. “But I have correspondence to deal with this morning.” No matter what her own desires might be, she kept up appearances in Society for her small son’s sake, knowing that one day, he would take his place in that world as Lord William Shaw.
Until then, she intended ensuring William had the happiest childhood she could provide. There would be time enough when he was older to introduce him to the onerous duties of his title.
She placed him back on the tiled floor before straightening. “Run along with Nurse now, darling. I will join you in the nursery as usual for luncheon. Becky, do you have—” She broke off as the bell rang over the front door and no doubt in the servants’ quarters below stairs. A belief confirmed seconds later as Alder, her butler, walked briskly across the entrance hall and opened the door.
Rachel felt the blood drain from her cheeks as she recognized the gentleman standing there.
Chapter 8
“Becky, take William to the kitchen and ask Cook for some stale bread to feed the ducks,” she instructed distractedly, her attention fixed on the doorway as her blackmailer handed his card to Alder. “Leave the house through the servants’ door,” she added sharply as she pushed her son in the direction of the hallway leading down to the kitchen. Her intention was to keep William as far away from her visitor as possible.
What did this man mean by openly
Similar Books
