Read Online Tempting Bella (Entangled Scandalous) by Diana Quincy - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Diana Quincy
Ads: Link
to set up their picnic. Stan laid out a blanket and knelt to pull food out of the basket, organizing the items in a neat arrangement.
She watched, amused. “You certainly are very exacting with your placement of things. A picnic is not usually so orderly.”
Appearing surprised by her observation, he looked toward the precise composition of the foodstuffs he’d just organized. “I do dislike disorder. I always have.” He gestured toward the food. “Your feast awaits.”
Biting her lower lip, she gave an impish smile. “I am in the mood to be positively wicked, decadent even.”
Stan stilled, except for a lone twitch in the strong curve of his jaw. “Indeed? What exactly do you have in mind?”
She reached for a tart, biting into it with relish. “I think I will go straight for dessert. Can you think of anything more decadent?”
…
The next morning Sebastian relaxed as the hack driver turned in the direction of the lending library. For the first time in his recollection, he felt hopeful, even joyous. He was also as randy as a young buck. His body on edge, anticipating the moment he would find relief inside his wife’s soft and welcoming flesh. Perhaps even by this evening.
Mirabella had been a revelation these last few days. It was more than her obvious beauty that drew him. His wife was unlike any woman of his acquaintance. She literally sparkled, infusing any room she entered with her glowing presence. And she was exceedingly bright, having soaked up a great deal of knowledge and experience from her travels.
During their picnic, talk had turned to her adventures on the continent. She’d proved an excellent conversationalist, witty and engaging, with an occasional hint of naughtiness in recounting her perceptions of her experiences. Bella talked of the museums she’d visited and her impressions of the different countries and people she’d met. He’d been so caught up in their conversation that he’d lost track of time.
She should have had the truth from him by now. He owed her that. Even though she’d stopped him, he’d had an obligation to press forward and reveal everything. Especially now that he knew his attempt to give her freedom had been perceived as abandonment and indifference. She thought him greedy and interested only in her title and wealth.
He would disavow her of that notion today by telling her the glorious truth. He pictured Bella’s face lighting up with happiness and relief. Perhaps she would throw herself into his arms. Maybe she’d accompany him back to his home—their home—on Park Street, where they would finally make use of his wife’s adjoining bedchamber.
The moment the hackney pulled up to the lending library, gladness filled his heart to see her standing near the entrance. She was a vision in a straw bonnet with ribbons the color of sunshine and a matching spencer that caressed her curves. Underneath, Mirabella wore a simple cream dress. He smiled when she caught his eye, but her lips flattened and she looked away.
It had been difficult persuading his reluctant wife to see him again, but he’d promised her it would be their last secret meeting. He meant to keep that vow. After today he planned to parade his lovely wife all over town on his arm. Orford would no longer be needed.
Alighting, he walked toward her. She darted a look down the street behind him, giving every appearance of a trapped animal poised to make a run for safety. Perhaps meeting another man made her feel disloyal to her husband. He smiled to himself, thinking of again of how pleased Mirabella would be to learn the truth.
“Good day,” he called out to her.
“This is a mistake.” She held up a hand as though to stop him, or perhaps warning him to keep his distance. “I just came to tell you I cannot accompany you.”
His heart swelled with compassion for her. “I must talk with you. Please, after today you will understand.” He took her arm. “Come now, I know a quiet place where
She watched, amused. “You certainly are very exacting with your placement of things. A picnic is not usually so orderly.”
Appearing surprised by her observation, he looked toward the precise composition of the foodstuffs he’d just organized. “I do dislike disorder. I always have.” He gestured toward the food. “Your feast awaits.”
Biting her lower lip, she gave an impish smile. “I am in the mood to be positively wicked, decadent even.”
Stan stilled, except for a lone twitch in the strong curve of his jaw. “Indeed? What exactly do you have in mind?”
She reached for a tart, biting into it with relish. “I think I will go straight for dessert. Can you think of anything more decadent?”
…
The next morning Sebastian relaxed as the hack driver turned in the direction of the lending library. For the first time in his recollection, he felt hopeful, even joyous. He was also as randy as a young buck. His body on edge, anticipating the moment he would find relief inside his wife’s soft and welcoming flesh. Perhaps even by this evening.
Mirabella had been a revelation these last few days. It was more than her obvious beauty that drew him. His wife was unlike any woman of his acquaintance. She literally sparkled, infusing any room she entered with her glowing presence. And she was exceedingly bright, having soaked up a great deal of knowledge and experience from her travels.
During their picnic, talk had turned to her adventures on the continent. She’d proved an excellent conversationalist, witty and engaging, with an occasional hint of naughtiness in recounting her perceptions of her experiences. Bella talked of the museums she’d visited and her impressions of the different countries and people she’d met. He’d been so caught up in their conversation that he’d lost track of time.
She should have had the truth from him by now. He owed her that. Even though she’d stopped him, he’d had an obligation to press forward and reveal everything. Especially now that he knew his attempt to give her freedom had been perceived as abandonment and indifference. She thought him greedy and interested only in her title and wealth.
He would disavow her of that notion today by telling her the glorious truth. He pictured Bella’s face lighting up with happiness and relief. Perhaps she would throw herself into his arms. Maybe she’d accompany him back to his home—their home—on Park Street, where they would finally make use of his wife’s adjoining bedchamber.
The moment the hackney pulled up to the lending library, gladness filled his heart to see her standing near the entrance. She was a vision in a straw bonnet with ribbons the color of sunshine and a matching spencer that caressed her curves. Underneath, Mirabella wore a simple cream dress. He smiled when she caught his eye, but her lips flattened and she looked away.
It had been difficult persuading his reluctant wife to see him again, but he’d promised her it would be their last secret meeting. He meant to keep that vow. After today he planned to parade his lovely wife all over town on his arm. Orford would no longer be needed.
Alighting, he walked toward her. She darted a look down the street behind him, giving every appearance of a trapped animal poised to make a run for safety. Perhaps meeting another man made her feel disloyal to her husband. He smiled to himself, thinking of again of how pleased Mirabella would be to learn the truth.
“Good day,” he called out to her.
“This is a mistake.” She held up a hand as though to stop him, or perhaps warning him to keep his distance. “I just came to tell you I cannot accompany you.”
His heart swelled with compassion for her. “I must talk with you. Please, after today you will understand.” He took her arm. “Come now, I know a quiet place where
Similar Books
