Sweet Temptation Read Free

ear; at least the boy had enough force of mind to tear himself away from that overblown widow when duty called. Maybe there was hope for him yet.
    Gavin burst into the library. His swift stride was a visible manifestation of his unwillingness to be present, and his dour expression an eloquent reflection of the effort he was exerting to hold his ill-humor in check.
    The contrast between father and son was astonishing. Whereas the Earl was of medium height, slight build, and almost feminine in his movements, Gavin’s tall, large-boned physique and athletic appearance gave him the look of a youthful Hercules. Both men shared a clear complexion unmarked by the shadow of a beard, but the Earl’s thin, dark blond hair was in direct contrast to the thick, raven mane of which Gavin was so proud. A strong, broad nose and powerful sweeping jaw completed a face that could stop half the women of London in their tracks, but one so different from its sire that only the Earl’s unwavering certainty of his wife’s fidelity prevented him from questioning his son’s paternity.
    “I’m on time,” Gavin said without a greeting. “Bear that in mind when you start in damning everything about me.
    “I’ve always given you credit for punctuality,” remarked his father languidly. “It’s your unwillingness to come to this house under any except the most compelling circumstances that I complain of.”
    “Can you blame me?”
    “I have, frequently.” Gavin smiled without humor.
    'That was a foolish question. I shall try to do better.”
    “If you would only make such a promise with respect to the manner in which you lead your life, I should be much more pleased.”
    “I don’t propose to discuss my life with you.”
    “Did you and your ladylove part on less than cordial terms this morning?” the Earl taunted.
    Gavin turned on his father with biting anger. “I spent the night in my own bed.” The Earl’s eyebrows rose questioningly. “You didn’t expect me to be in an amorous mood after your intrusion, did you? I was sure putting me out of humor was your primary objective.”
    “It wasn’t, but my interest in your welfare compels me to point out that though your companion appears to be a virtual cornucopia of erotic delight, even greedy children tire of sweets when they have gorged themselves too often.”
    “Is that why you maintain a virtual harem?”
    “The fact that I do not share your taste for provincial widows is no excuse for crudity,” declared the Earl.
    “How do you explain them to mother?”
    “Your mother is a lady—”
    “Then treat her like one,” Gavin exploded. “If I had a wife who accorded me half her forbearance, I wouldn’t mortify her by keeping company with half the whores in London.”
    “Ladies do not inquire into such matters,” the Earl stated in dour disapproval.
    “This is a waste of time,” Gavin said with a snort. He poured himself a glass of wine but didn’t seem to enjoy it. “Don’t you have some beer or ale? Bordeaux is hard to take before noon.”
    “I never try,” remarked his father, as he rang a small bell that rested on the table next to him. Almost immediately a burly servant appeared from behind one of the several doors that led from the chamber.
    “When did you start hiding servants behind doors?” Gavin asked sarcastically.
    “There are those who believe it unwise for me to be alone with you.”
    “Don’t be absurd,” growled Gavin. “I might itch to choke the life out of you, but you’re not worth being hung.”
    “Such filial concern.”
    “And you can drop the pretense of fatherly affection. You don’t like me any more than I like you.”
    “Now that’s where you are wrong. Though I most earnestly deplore nearly every action you have taken since you moved to London, on the whole I am quite pleased with you.”
    “I would have thought those attitudes incompatible.”
    “When you’re a father, you will understand how easily two such contradictory