Authors: Emma Wildes
Far Too Tempted (39 page)
Out in the hall, Woodley’s somber tones greeted her caller. Her hand crept up to smooth over her locket as she wondered for the hundredth time what Mr. Sherbourne would look like and how he’d react to her and her mother. A man who was willing to overlook her past and offer her the security of matrimony was unusual indeed. He’d most likely possess an appearance similar to Melburn. Yes, the resemblance would help Jocelyn to keep her composure and stifle the anxieties that had kept her from slumber last night.
Woodley tapped on the parlor door and entered. “Mr. Leo Sherbourne to see you.”
“Show him in, Woodley.” Amazed at her calm voice, she concentrated on presenting a serene front.
Woodley directed Mr. Sherbourne into the parlor, and she forced her lips to curve upward when she really wanted to gasp aloud.
Leo Sherbourne was stunningly handsome, his dark eyes piercing and direct. Taller than Melburn, he’d clubbed his midnight black hair in a tail, and this highlighted the stark planes of his face, his olive complexion. Impeccably dressed in a navy blue suit with a pale blue waistcoat embroidered in a deeper blue, he appeared the wealthy gentleman. His choice of color matched her attire perfectly. A sign, perhaps.
“Good morning, Mr. Sherbourne.” She finally rediscovered her manners.
“Miss Townsend.” He regarded her steadily and not a measure of flirtation showed on his features. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.” His deep voice caressed her senses, and she stared, mesmerized for an instant. He was…unexpected. Why would he want to take her as his wife? Young misses likely fluttered their eyelashes at him in flirtation, and she imagined older, more experienced women offered to jump into his bed on a regular basis. He didn’t seem like a man who’d experience difficulty in attracting the fairer sex.
“Please take a seat,” Jocelyn said, her mind twisting and prodding this new development. Her right hand rose to check her cap, and she forced herself to still the self-conscious action. Despite her fidgeting, her cap was likely still straight and hid a large portion of her red hair.
He waited until she seated herself before taking possession of the same chair his cousin had sat on the previous night.
“Why are you entertaining marriage with me, given my history?” Jocelyn almost winced at her forthrightness. She caught the flash of surprise in him, the slight narrowing of his eyes then his slow smile. Her heart beat a little faster at his approval. It seemed devastating smiles were one trait borne by both cousins. She found it difficult to focus with his full attention directed at her, almost impossible not to gasp at her physical reaction to his potent masculinity.
“I have a young daughter and require help with her.”
“Forgive me, but surely there is no shortage of women willing to accept you as husband.” More candor. This was not the impression she wanted to present, yet she required answers. To her relief, he didn’t take umbrage and merely scrutinized her closely in return.
“My first marriage wasn’t an enjoyable experience. This time I seek a marriage where both parties know their duty from the beginning and are under no illusion as to how the liaison will proceed—the way I want.”
Well, he was blunt too. Jocelyn wrenched her gaze from his face and concentrated on her lightly clasped hands. The romantic part of her faded under reality. This wasn’t a love match. She had to remember that, yet the situation was strange. He hadn’t told her everything. There was more. She lifted her head. “Did you beat your wife?”
His dark brows shot upward. “I’m not a brute.” He half stood as if he intended to leave, and her hand shot out to grasp his forearm. Muscles flexed beneath her fingers, leading her thoughts directly to the marriage bed. Like a hot coal, his heat burned her palm, and she released her hold.
“Forgive me. Please, don’t leave. This is an unusual situation and my nerves are ruling my manners. Stay. Tell me exactly what you expect from me.”
Instead of sitting again, he prowled the parlor, putting her in mind of a caged beast. And, despite her growing alarm that she’d destroyed any chance of a marriage, she couldn’t tear her gaze off him. He was a man in his prime, strong and sure of himself—an attractive quality in a husband. Her breasts prickled against her chemise, and her stays felt suddenly unbearably tight. Heat bloomed between her legs. The unusual reaction took her by surprise.
Mr. Sherbourne ceased his pacing and spun to face her. Determination etched his face, giving him the look of cool marble. “I want a wife who gives her loyalty to me, a woman to raise my child and warm my bed. Someone to instill order in my home and do things the way I direct.”
Jocelyn nodded. That sounded reasonable. “And what would I receive in return?”
“In return, my wife will receive the security of my name and home. She’ll want for nothing, and I hope she’ll find happiness.”
“What about my past relationship with Melburn? If I agree to wed you, there might be times when we socialize with Melburn and his new wife. Will that create difficulties?”
He laughed softly, a gleam entering his eyes. “Are you asking if I’ll experience jealousy?”
“Yes.” Nothing like a little honesty to get to the heart of a matter.
“Melburn and I have discussed this. He told me if you agreed to marry me, you’d also give your loyalty. He said you possess both honor and discretion. Integrity. I hadn’t heard a single rumor of your relationship. This reassures me that we might suit. Will you miss your close…friendship with Melburn?”
“Melburn and I have always been friends. I hope our friendship will continue in the future—in a platonic way, of course. Your cousin is right in that I refuse to play games or pit gentlemen against each other to ensure a better offer or a richer lover. If I agree to become your wife, you’ll receive everything you require in a spouse.”
His brows rose again. “It’s not often a woman surprises me.”
“I’m not an ordinary woman.”
“I’m coming to understand that.”
“Thank you.” Jocelyn found herself drawn to him. Along with his pleasing looks, he bore an air of confidence. But the stillness in him, the faint note of impatience hinted at hidden depths. Winning his friendship and perhaps his love would prove a challenge. Aware of the lengthening silence, she rushed into speech. “Did Melburn tell you about my mother? Her behavior is erratic at times, and she suffers episodes where she has mad fancies. Despite family pressure, I refuse to place her in The Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem. If we marry, I’ll expect her to come to live with me.”
He hesitated and acute disappointment gripped her. This point was nonnegotiable. If he didn’t offer her mother protection, she couldn’t accept his proposition.
“Is she violent?”
“No! Not at all. At worst, she shrieks loud enough to deafen everyone in the vicinity. I employ a nurse to oversee her and have found this is a satisfactory solution.”
“Is she likely to harm my daughter?”
“I don’t believe so,” Jocelyn said. “You’re welcome to meet her and judge for yourself. She does become agitated at times, but Tilly is good with her. Melburn will tell you.”
The man stalked another tight circuit of her parlor, dodging an urn of flowers and the settee. “We could keep them apart if problems occurred,” he said, almost talking to himself. “Yes, that should work.” He focused on her then, his deep brown eyes searing through her.
A flutter of something—not fear—stirred in her belly.
Far Too Tempted
Emma Wildes
Once he broke her heart, but now he’s wickedly tempted…
Alexander Ramsey, the youngest son of a duke, has returned to England with a barely healed wound and a war-torn heart. He hopes retiring to a life raising horses near his family’s estate will bring him some peace.
If only it was that easy. The girl he’s done his best to forget has grown into an enticing woman. A woman who despises him, if their accidental encounter in his new house is any indication.
Jessica Roweland has no family, certainly no fortune, and to make matters worse—which hardly seems possible—the only home she has ever known has been sold to her despicable arch enemy. The man she once thought she loved.
Caught alone in his presence, Jessica faces utter ruin as society begins to whisper over the incident. Unless she can restrain the urge to strangle him and marry him instead, she will be the subject of endless scorn and scandal.
Forced into marriage and called upon by the Crown to solve a series of murders, Alex accepts both tasks—the first, his very distinct pleasure. The second, a very difficult mission that will threaten both their lives.
Warning: Hot Regency heroes, steamy sex scenes, mild foul language, and some violence.
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
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Far Too Tempted
Copyright © 2014 by Emma Wildes
ISBN: 978-1-61922-167-3
Edited by Jennifer Miller
Cover by Erin Dameron-Hill
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
electronic publication: May 2014
