Sinful Deeds Read Free

her hands down the silk and recalled the deep jewel tone she had worn
that night at Lady Steele’s. It hadn’t been red. No, it had been a deep emerald
and had certainly been far more modest, but the moment Dante had set eyes on
her, she had felt it. It was the sort of moment of which a woman dreamed. Eyes
connecting across the distance, drawn together by some invisible force.
    That
very night he had kissed her and begged to make love to her. He had seduced her
easily with his charming ways and beautiful words. But Josephine didn’t believe
herself easily seduced. There had been others who had tried to woo her into
bed. She was poor, attractive, and widowed. A great catch for many. Someone
they’d never have to wed but could be guaranteed of her loyalty by providing
for her.
    However,
Dante had been different. He never failed to make her laugh or soothe away the
occasional tear. She supposed she couldn’t regret these past years. In Dante’s
arms, she had enjoyed some of the best nights of her life.
    Pausing
to view herself in the full length mirror, Josephine began to undo the flimsy
gown, drawing it down to her waist and pushing it off her hips. She wore no
undergarments save from stockings—an outfit designed for seduction. She really
was foolish. What else could she expect from him when she dressed like this? He
would never see her as anything more than mistress material.
    She
smoothed her hands over her curved hips and flat stomach. From now on, an
attractive figure would count for nothing. She reached for the nightrail she
had left draped over the modesty screen and tugged it on before slipping on a
robe. From this day forward, she wanted to be known as something more. No longer
would she be Josephine Beaumont, mistress to the notorious Lord Dante Cynfell.
From now on she would be J. Beaumont, renowned artist. If Mr Allen’s words
could be believed, that hope might not be so very false.
    Heading
over to the dressing table, she cleaned off the rouge and eyeliner she had
applied in her excitement. She’d hoped to look her best while she shared her
wonderful news with Dante. Now that rouge was smeared and the eyeliner had run
onto her cheeks. She grimaced at her reflection in the freestanding mirror. How
quickly her mood had changed when she realised Dante would not be visiting her
at eight o’clock as promised. The hours ticked by, empty and lonely, until he
had awoken her, expecting a tumble.
    Well,
no more. Having sold one painting, she would be able to rent a modest property
in London. She had some money saved, and on top of her dowry, she would be fine.
Hardy living at her current standards but better than nothing. Better than
waiting for a man who could never give her everything she needed.
    No
matter how much she loved him.

Chapter
Three
    She had actually gone. Dante pinched the
bridge of his nose. Josephine had left him. His Jo-Jo. Damn her. He glanced
over her dressing table and eyed the empty spots where her cosmetics had been.
The scent of her perfume still hung in the air but the housekeeper said she had
been gone for three days now.
    Three
days. Where was she? She had nowhere to go. Her family were limited to a few
cousins and an uncle, he believed. She didn’t even know them. Would she have
really gone to them? He’d have to quiz Miss Smith and find out what she knew.
When Josephine had agreed to be his mistress she’d been a poor widow. Her dowry
had amounted to very little and her husband’s property had passed on to his son
by his first wife. As far he knew, little had changed. Josephine still had
nothing.
    He
rubbed his chest where an uncomfortable burning sensation was building. He’d so
hoped to be greeted with her usual cheery smile. The other evening had been so
out of character. Yes, he wasn’t great at being on time, and admittedly she had
asked him several times to ensure he made a better attempt at time-keeping. But
honestly, it was not as though her life depended upon him being