9781618858467ASinfulEducationPimentel Read Free Page B

him. Damn . Out of all the ladies
here tonight, Emily makes me burn . A rosy blush swept across her cheeks,
darkening the little specks of freckles. His thoughts were interrupted when somone tapped his arm.
    “My lord,
have you suddenly become deaf and mute?”
    “Lady
Thompson, I offer my apologies.” He bowed and took her hand, pressing his lips
to the tender skin on the back. “It has been too long, my lady.”
    “It has, my
lord. Do say you will join us soon for dinner. I can have Duncan assemble a
dinner party in no time, and if I were the wagering type, I would say you would
have a grand time. Please say you will join us on Saturday. Besides, I have it
on good authority that Emily will be dining with us as well.”
    He turned to
observe Nathanial’s approval splashed across his face in the form of a grin. The marquess crossed his arms and now leaned against the
wall. “Do you intend to keep my wife waiting?”
    “Forgive me.”
The earl returned his gaze to the marchioness, who now smiled as if she had
ensnared him in a trap. “You have my word I will attend your dinner on
Saturday.”
    “A wise
choice, my lord. I would hate to resort to drastic measures to secure your
presence.”
    And what in the world is that supposed to
mean? Did she mean to have me drugged and dragged to Stoughton Hall? “My
lady, I assure you, no force will be needed. I will be there.”
    “Most
excellent, my lord. Then, I suppose you’ll be pleased to know that we will have
one of the loveliest young ladies London society is privelged to have joining us, too. Oh, Nathaniel, dinner will be wonderful!”
    Avonlea
smiled at Emily, trying to contain a light-hearted laughter. “What is the
matter, my lady? You appear quite flushed.” He had seen a rosy blush sweep
across her cheeks when the marchioness referred to her as “one of the loveliest
young ladies…” and here she was being coy.
    “I am quite
well, my lord. Thank you for your concern.” She had risen up on her toes to
whisper something into the marchioness’ ear and then returned her attention to
him and the marquess . “If you gentlemen will excuse
me, I need to step away for only a moment. Nathaniel, my lord.”
    He bowed and
watched how her hips innocently swayed. Lord,
the woman…girl…Christ! He could not think while he was around her. Avonlea
watched her every step of the way until she joined a group of women her age.
    “Ahem,” the
marchioness teased, “I suppose that means you are pleased with who will be
joining us on Saturday?”
    “Indeed, my
lady, indeed.” My night could not have gone
better. “Well, my lady, I must be going. I look forward to dinner this
weekend.” He turned to Nathaniel and reached out to shake his hand when another
touched his shoulder.
    “There you
are my lord! I have been looking all over for you. My dear Eloise has been
waiting for some time, and you have not yet collected her for the quadrille. I
must say, I am quite put out.”
    Of course, you are… “My apologies, my
lady. I shall rectify the situation at once, but I must also warn you, I do have
to leave right after. I mean no offense by my quick departure.”
    “I will
think nothing of it. I am so glad for your attentions, sir. I feared after last
season’s debacle, my poor Eloise would never make it this season, and you have
by far exceeded our expectations.”
    Avonlea choked
on his spit. “Ma’am, I should be clear as to what my meaning is. That is to
dance and nothing more. While I hold you and your daughter in high regard, I do
not have any intention of pursuing this friendship beyond the hall.”
    The woman
stopped and turned to face him. Her face quite red, the matron appeared she would
detonate at any given moment. She licked her lips and opened her fan, moving
the air between them as if giving him a warning signal.
    “My
goodness, my lord, that is quite unfortunate. I could
not imagine how any young lady would feel inclined to entertain you given