An Invitation to Sin Read Free

Here was travel. Here was science. And here were novels.
    Just one row.
    In fact, just the novels of Mrs. Jamison. That was intriguing, to be sure.
    She opened the case and ran her fingers over the glossy leather covers, pausing at the three volumes that comprised Forbidden Affections. She wanted to read it again in Dul-cinea’s room to check the accuracy of the simulation. She wanted it so much it was agony to resist.
    But Anna knew that if she took the books she would have gone beyond an intrusion of privacy to theft. She found the strength to close the bookcase doors and leave the chamber of temptation.
    Frightened that she would weaken, Anna ran up the stairs and back to the secret door. Her candle blew out, but she knew the way. She groped toward the fireplace and squeezed through the door, easing it shut behind her. Then she was back in her own room again with that door firmly closed.
    She jumped into bed and pulled up the covers, then lay there, wondering if what she had just done had been real. But she knew it had, and she knew she desperately wanted to explore again another day.
    Anna awoke the next morning when Martha, middle-aged maid to the Featherstone daughters, drew back the curtains to let in sunlight. Anna’s first thought was that she had had the most interesting dream.
    It took only seconds to realize that it had actually happened.
    The room was still the same, and in daylight assuredly Dulcinea’s chamber.
    “What a room this is!” declared Martha, setting the jug of hot water on the washstand. “You’re a braver lass than I am, Miss Anna, to sleep here so sound.”
    Anna sat up to hug her knees. “I don’t mind. I like it.”
    Martha just shook her head. “Up with you, miss. I’ll be back in a little while to button you up and fix your hair.”
    Anna popped out of bed and washed, then put on her stockings and petticoat. She was just working into her light stays when Martha returned to help her.
    “How do you like it here, Martha?” Anna asked, holding her long plait away from the buttons down her back.
    “Seems a decent enough house, miss. Sit you down now. Breakfast’ll be ready in a moment.”
    Anna sat in front of the gargoyle-guarded mirror. “Have you found out anything about this place?”
    “About it?” Martha was quickly unraveling the plait and brushing it out. “What do you mean, miss?”
    “Well, about this room. It is a little strange.”
    “Who knows what they do in Lunnon, miss? The regular staff haven’t said anything, but then, by the time we were here and unpacked, it were pretty well time for bed.”
    “I suppose so.”
    The Featherstones had arrived at nearly eight in the evening and had only taken time for supper before retiring. They were here until June, however. Time enough for Anna to unravel the mystery this room presented, and to find out all about the wicked Earl of Carne’s incident.
    As soon as Martha was finished, Anna ran down to the breakfast parlor and kissed her parents. Lady Featherstone, slender and blond, smiled in a slightly pained way at her younger daughter’s high spirits. Sir Jeffrey hugged her warmly.
    “Sleep well, Pippin, in your Gothic chamber?”
    Anna had to suppress a giggle. “Very well, Papa.”
    Lady Featherstone shuddered. “Anna, you have no sensibility.”
    “Which is as well, my dear,” said her husband, “or the girls would have had to sleep together, and you know they hate that.” Sir Jeffrey was ruddy-faced and robust. It was from him that Anna got her looks and temperament.
    “Maria tosses and turns all night,” said Anna.
    “Only in a strange bed,” said Maria, drifting in wanly. “I declare I have not had a moment’s rest! The mattress is decidedly hard.”
    If Maria was poorly rested, it had not affected her looks. She, like Dulcinea, was a pale blond beauty with pearly skin and a slender, elegant figure. Lady Featherstone fussed over her, commiserating on her sensitive nature and plying her with tea.
    Sir