Read Online Simply Carnal by Kate Pearce - Free Book Online

is, but for some reason he prefers not to conduct military business here.” Paul winked at Elizabeth. “It would make my life a lot easier if he did, as I find him remarkably appealing.” He headed for the door and then paused. “From what Ambrose just told me, it seems as if I might be enjoying more of your company after all, Mrs. Smith.”
    “So I understand, Lieutenant.”
    He bowed. “I look forward to it.”
    Ambrose waited until Paul had left and then turned to Elizabeth. “He is quite harmless, really.”
    “Lieutenant St. Clare?” Elizabeth took a seat at the kitchen table. “I’m not sure about that.”
    “Despite his joking, he would never force himself on any-one.”
    “I know.” Elizabeth accepted the mug of coffee Ambrose offered her and waited until he sat opposite her at the table. “He told me that he has been encouraged to explore all types of sex at the pleasure house.”
    Ambrose rubbed a hand through his cropped hair. “When he first came here, he was still enamored of Gabriel Swanfield, and we were all concerned about how he would react to Gabriel’s marriage.”
    “And how did he react?”
    “Rather better than anyone expected. He seemed genuinely pleased that Gabriel had found someone to love him. But with Paul it is hard to know exactly what he is thinking.”
    “I noticed that.” Elizabeth sipped at her coffee. “He pretends that everything is a great lark, but beneath the surface I suspect he is not at peace with himself.”
    Ambrose nodded. “I thought you would understand.”
    She looked up at him. “I am at peace with myself.”
    “I can scarcely comment on that, can I?” His smile was warm. “But I know from my own experiences that trying to pretend that everything is fine takes a huge toll on a person.”
    “What do you mean?” He hesitated and she continued. “I should imagine your life experiences have been very different from my own. I would be honored if you would share your story with me—if it does not pain you to speak of it.”
    He settled himself more comfortably on the bench and rested his chin on his fist. “As a child, I was taken from my home and brought over on a slave ship from the West Indies. I cried the entire time and received more than a few beatings on the long voyage.
    “When I arrived in London, I was sold to a very aristocratic family as a page boy. It was all the rage twenty years ago. My mistress liked to dress me in costly silks and velvet, with a turban on my head and a gold collar studded with rubies around my neck. I thought I was in heaven. I was pampered like a lapdog, petted and adored. I thought of those people as my family.”
    Elizabeth waited as his expression darkened. “Of course, I kept growing and suddenly I was a young man and unable to sit on anyone’s lap anymore. They still wanted to touch me, but not in a childish way. I loved my mistress and I was willing to do anything she told me to, so when her husband discovered me in her bed, he had me beaten and thrown out of the house without a character.”
    “That is terrible.” Elizabeth reached across and took his hand. “How did they expect you to survive?”
    “I’m not sure they cared.” His quick smile flashed out. “I almost died that first year and probably would’ve done that last winter, if Mr. Delornay hadn’t come across me and offered me a job here.”
    “How did you meet?”
    “I tried to pick his pocket.” Ambrose met her gaze, his brown eyes full of memories. “I almost succeeded, but despite those good looks, he’s a dangerous bastard when cornered.”
    “And he brought you here.”
    “Aye, he did, but not to work. I could barely read or write, and he insisted that I receive an education before he would allow me to become a part of the pleasure house.”
    “And Mr. Delornay paid for this?”
    Ambrose chuckled. “You sound so skeptical. I told you—he is a good man.”
    Elizabeth wasn’t quite as sure about that and hastened to change the