Miss Foxworth's Fate Read Free Page A

loved his home and his scientific experiments almost more than life itself, but deep down inside, he was forced to admit that there was something missing. He couldn’t share the thrill of a new discovery with anyone, even though Fred tried hard to be supportive.
    His bed was cold at night, and he had his hand for company. Sally, the good-hearted whore, was usually around for when things got really bad, but it wasn’t enough. There had to be something more, something...someone...
    He shrugged and nodded. “You win, Fred. I’ll suffer through tonight. Though damn it, if Rachel parades a stream of giggling idiots in front of my face afterwards, I’ll hold you responsible and tell them where you’re sleeping, instead of me.”
    Fred chuckled. “Well, now, Sir Philip. I’d not be adverse to that idea...”
    “You’re a terror, Fred. Don’t wait up for me. God knows how long this will take, and I’m sure you’ve already got an eye on some buxom maid or another.”
    Fred had the grace to blush.
     
    *~~*~~*
     
    Philip stood behind the curtains that opened onto the dais in his sister’s ballroom and felt decidedly silly.
    All these theatrics were sure to deter from the scientific discussion he was about to present. But damn it, he was doing it for Rachel, and she’d decided that the occasion warranted all this hoopla.
    He wasn’t even an expert mesmerist, for heaven’s sake. He’d read Dr. Mesmer’s work, even glanced at Father Hell’s contributions, and dismissed the cleric’s magnetism association completely. Magnetism was an area that fascinated him, but not in connection with mesmerism.
    He’d had some small successes, helping a stable boy deal with the pain of a broken leg by just talking to him softly, drawing the crying lad’s focus away from his injury and onto himself, as he’d let a small pocket watch swing slowly to and fro in front of the boy’s eyes.
    It had worked, and he’d had other occasions to practice the same sort of thing. But he doubted that he’d exercised any kind of control over anyone’s mind. That was far beyond his abilities.
    The light behind the curtains was dimming, and that, he knew, was the signal for him to step through and commence his presentation.
    Drawing a deep breath and releasing it slowly, he calmed his mind and pushed the curtains aside.
    Dazzled for a moment by the remaining candles, he received an impression of thousands of faces staring at him, and his heart missed a beat.
    Then his eyesight cleared, and he saw it was merely a few dozen, the jewels of the women glittering as the soft light glanced from their finery. His lip tried very hard not to curl as he acknowledged that this would not be a scientifically oriented evening.
    Rachel had been right. Theatrics were definitely in order.
    With an inner sigh, he moved into the light and casually glanced around. His gaze halted at the front row, and his heart thumped. Once.
    Loudly.
    A pair of extraordinary green eyes met his.
    And the breath left his body.
     
    *~~*~~*
    Abigail stared.
    His eyes. His eyes, some kind of odd blend of blue and gold, were devouring her. There was no other word for it.
    She forgot where she was, who she was, and every little thought in her brain lay down and went to sleep. Her mind blanked. Dear God. Now she had flutters in her belly, and the man was three or more feet away from her. What on earth would happen if he touched her?
    It seemed like years before he dragged his gaze away and began his presentation, but for Abby, the damage was done. She wanted him. Wanted, in her grandmother’s inappropriate words, to lie down, toss up her skirts and spread her thighs for him.
    She shivered.
    “Are you chilly, dear?” asked Eugenia, leaning over and whispering softly in her niece’s ear.
    Cold? She’d never been hotter in her life.
    She just shook her head a little at her aunt, anxious not to miss a word of his lecture.
    He spoke fluidly and effortlessly, his rich voice casting a spell