A Dangerous Temptation

by L. R. Olson

  “Sorry to disappoint you.”

  “You can’t get all missus and proper on me now.” I paused. “All right, tell me something you’ve never told anyone, and I will tell you something. But we must swear on our lives to never reveal our secrets.”

  Her gaze sparkled. “Our lives? And they say women are dramatic.”

  I frowned. “Are you mocking me?”

  “Of course not.” She stared at me with innocent eyes, but I could see the twinkle of amusement there, within their blue depths. She was life and energy. Hell, a woman like her would fade, would slowly die on my moors.

  I grunted and looked away. “Now you’ve hurt my feelings.”

  She laughed. “Why do I have a feeling no one could ever hurt you?”

  She knew me better than I’d thought. The realization left me uneasy. I’d been so careful to hide my true, cynical self and play the part of the romantic suitor. “Are you saying I have no heart?”

  “Of course not. I don’t know you well enough to assume anything.” She blushed. “Very well, I’ll tell you a secret if you don’t hold it against me…I’m quite ruined.”

  I arched a brow. Shite, was she actually admitting it? A variety of confusing emotions stirred within. Hell, the thought of someone else touching her infuriated me, as irrational as it was.

  “It’s true.” She stared at the blue flower she’d picked. “I was caught in a garden at a party with a man. He kissed me.”

  I laughed, relieved. A mere kiss? Was she jesting? “You’re a silly girl.”

  She glared up at me. “And you are highly offensive, sir.” She surged to her feet. “I really do think I should leave.”

  But I latched onto her arm and pulled her down to sit beside me. “Perhaps I like silly girls.”

  She tilted her chin high. “You cannot make it better now, I’m afraid.”

  “I bet I can.” My gaze dipped to her lips. I didn’t much care for these games of innocence. I’d rather get on with it already. Why I was attracted to her, I wasn’t sure. But I wanted her. Hell, innocent or not, I was going to have her.

  “You wouldn’t dare.” She pressed her hands to my chest to keep me back, guessing my intention. “We barely know each other.”

  “That’s not true. I know things about you, and you know things about me that most people don’t.”

  She hesitated. “Yes, perhaps facts, but not important things…such as our very personalities.”

  I took her hands in mine. “Oh, I think I know you very well. You like attention. You like to tease.”

  “I don’t.” Her eyes grew wide. “See, you don’t know…”

  I cupped the back of her head, and drew her forward, molding my mouth to hers. She tasted of summer, of vitality, of innocence. Of everything I craved but could never have. Stiff at first, it took only a sweep of my tongue across her lips to get her to relax into me. The lush woman sank into my arms, moaning as I hoped she would. My attraction flared. This was why I played her ridiculous games when I normally wouldn’t…because for some bloody reason I was desperately attracted to her.

  Lord, her lips were soft. Her breasts pressed eagerly to my chest, her body quivering with her own need. When her tongue timidly touched mine, I lost all sense of responsibility, all sense of control. I slid my hands down her back, cupping her bottom and jerking her up against me. It was too much.

  With a gasp, she shoved her hands against my chest and tried to push away. “Let me go!”

  Bemused, I took in her shimmering tears.

  “Just because I kissed one man, doesn’t mean I kiss all men.”

  “I’m done with your games,” I snapped, my irritation growing. “You roam the countryside alone. You undress in front of men. You watch me bathe. You admit you’re ruined and improper. But my kiss offends you?”

  Her lower lip quivered, her eyes full of fear and surprise.

  I offered no comfort, merely surged to my feet in disgust. Did I feel even the slightest twinge of guilt? Not in the least. I was savage in my anger and need for her. “I could have showed you pleasure, my dear. And believe me, you would have enjoyed it. But I don’t force women, so you can stop your maidenly tears. Go home. I’m through with you.”

  The witch had taken me under, consumed me. I couldn’t sleep last night because thoughts of her warm, lush body kept invading my dreams. How the hell could I be so aroused and angry all at once?

  Tonight I’d find a more forthright whore to fuck in town. Perhaps that would ease the ache. Damn her. Without another word, I stalked through the orchard. She would not defeat me.

  So why then, as I left the trees, did I feel as if I’d just lost our little game?

  Chapter 3

  Julianna

  “We’re home, darling dear!”

  Startled, I lowered the notepad and charcoal. I’d attempted to draw the local abbey, the farmers at work, even our rose garden…yet after only ten minutes I’d given up and focused on my true muse: James.

  How had I not heard the carriage approach? For the same reason I couldn’t concentrate on the drawing…thoughts of the man who had turned my world into utter chaos. I snapped the book shut, hiding the drawing from prying eyes.

  Usually I’d be amused by my family’s return. I’d listen with a grin as Mother and Penny discussed the latest gossip. Watch with casual interest as they showed me the latest fashion they’d bought from some boutique. And I would be happy to see them. The days would fade back into normalcy. This was my family, and I was content within their familiar circle. Comfortable even.

  But not today. Two days later and I was still feeling the effects of his kiss. Two days later and James, whoever he was, still remained the focus of my thoughts. He was a mere field away. Our new neighbor. I’d thought he would be so much better than Welch’s son, I’d been wrong.

  Father would probably invite him over for dinner now that they’d returned. It would be the polite thing to do. And I’d be forced to sit at the dining room table as he laughed at Father’s jokes, charmed Mother and Penny. I couldn’t stand it. I wouldn’t.

  “Darling, you look tired, are you well?” Mother asked, swooping across the room, a hat box in hand.

  I stood and hugged them both. “I’m fine. So happy you’re back.”

  Mother set the hat box upon the side table. “Well, that’s nice to hear.”

  “Oh, I think I know you. You like attention. You like to tease.”

  How dare he brand me a flirt. He didn’t know me. Didn’t know me at all.

  “I’m done with your games. You roam the countryside alone. You undress in front of men. You watch me bathe. You admit you’re ruined and improper. But my kiss offends you?”

  “Julianna,” Penny sighed. “I asked if we’ve received any callers?”

  I forced myself to smile. “No. Not recently.”

  How I hated him! Hated him with a passion the likes of which I’d never known before. How dare he. How dare he! As if a woman should not be able to have the same liberties as a man. As if I was a whore merely because I enjoyed walking the countryside.

  “You must see what we’ve purchased!” Penny exclaimed. Servants were carrying trunks into the sitting room and my sister was making quick work of seeing them opened.

  Needing a moment, I walked to the windows. Lord, the coach was even heavier laden than last year. What had they bought? The contents of Buckingham Palace? I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on. Any other time I would have been happy enough to see them. But now I merely wished to be alone with my thoughts. It had taken every ounce of resolve not to visit our new neighbor and tell him exactly what I thought about his comments.

  Why had he kissed me? I’d even worn an old dress to dissuade him, or maybe more to prove to myself that I didn’t care what he thought about my looks. Yet, it hadn’t helped. Were all men the same? Merely thinking of what they wanted? Taking when they pleased, no matter who they hurt in the process? But I supposed the question wasn’t why had he kissed me.
No, it was why had I gone there in the first place?

  “So much to tell you,” Penny said, as she helped Mother unpack the trunks. “Oh, I do wish you would come along. Everyone’s practically forgotten about the incident, Julianna. Haven’t they, Mother?”

  The day was dreary, rainy and depressing, much like my mood.

  “Of course!” She paused. “Well, Lady Kendrick did mention it, but only to see how you fared.”

  I rolled my eyes. Because she had always been such an empathetic figure. I would have assumed another scandal would have taken precedence since my departure. I leaned forward, resting my forehead against the cool glass and watching the rain patter against the panes. How stupid I’d been to step outside that night in London.

  Needing air, I’d merely gotten close to the doors of the balcony. When Welch’s son, Harry, had smiled and taken my hand, I’d fallen for that charming grin. I’d known him. Although we weren’t well acquainted, we had met upon occasion. His father owned the neighboring estate, after all. And when he gently pulled me outside, I allowed it because James was right…I was curious. Much too curious.

  Harry would have married me. In fact, that had been his plan all along. But my usually quiet and reclusive father had taken a stand for once in his life. He’d known a man out for a deep pocket. Welch’s son had tried to trap me and had almost succeeded. He probably would have with any other woman.

  Instead, Father had packed us all in the carriage, commented that he would not be duped into giving my dowry to a man who liked to gamble. And I was grateful, even if it had ruined my reputation. Father had warned Lord Welch to keep his son away from our town, or there would be hell to pay. As far as we knew, the old man had kept to his word.

  But I was tainted. Free, but tainted. Father said London would soon uncover a new scandal and I could find a nice gentleman farmer to marry. The eldest daughter of a viscount marrying a farmer. Poor father. He’d tried so hard, but had been saddled with only two silly girls. And the title and fortune would go to a distant cousin. At least the entitled property.

  I wished I could have said my parents had been shocked by my mishap. Sadly, they hadn’t been. How different my life would be if I’d only stayed inside that fateful evening. I’d be married by now, perhaps expecting my first child.

  “Lord Whitfield danced with me twice, Julianna. Can you believe that?” Penny squealed.

  Had I flirted with James as I had with Lord Welch’s son? Yes. I supposed I had. My face flushed with embarrassment. I had enjoyed it. Welch’s son had made me uneasy, his kiss had been wet and clammy. But James…his kiss had been firm, commanding. A kiss I’d felt all the way to the tips of my toes.

  I adored the countryside, but perhaps I had missed the adventures of London society as well, why else would I so easily fall for James and the excitement he represented? But surely there was nothing wrong with harmless flirting. And what man in his right mind assumed that if a woman flirted, she wanted to be mauled?

  All men apparently.

  I rested my fingertips to my lips. Even two days later I swore they still tingled from his touch. Truth of the matter was I hadn’t disliked his lips on me. A warm shiver of awareness trembled through my body. A not unpleasant feeling that had kept me up at night. I’d wanted him to kiss me. I’d wanted more, although more of what, I wasn’t sure.

  “He’s so handsome,” Penny said wistfully. “Mother says he’s one of the best catches! Has always skipped societal functions before, but is apparently in need of a wife.”

  If I ever saw him again I’d…I’d slap him, I would. He needed to know that I would not take his abuse. That no woman should have to, whether titled or not.

  “He danced with me twice, Julianna. Twice! You know what that means…”

  And I most likely would see him again if we were to be neighbors. The thought of James tainting my home with his presence made me anxious. I glanced at the windows, as if expecting to find him strolling so arrogantly up the drive.

  “I’ll most likely be engaged by week’s end.”

  Penny’s words hit me like a slap across the face. I spun around. “Pardon?”

  She grinned, her happiness stunning and confusing. “An earl! I’m not jesting! Mother said I could capture a duke, but I think an earl will do. Were you not listening?”

  “Indeed,” Mother said, as Molly brought in a tray of tea. “An earl works quite well. So very proud of you, my dear. But then with your looks, I knew you would not leave London empty-handed.”

  Penny and Mother laughed, so delighted in their victory. They had, apparently, won.

  Numbly, I moved toward the chair across from Mother and sank onto the cushioned seat. Penny had found an earl on her second run in London. She had re-established the family name that I had so easily destroyed. Father called her his little angel, and perhaps she was.

  Why was I so shocked? It was why all women went to London, wasn’t it? I shouldn’t have been surprised. I wanted to be happy for her, I was, but at the same time I felt the utter bewilderment of someone who was being left behind.

  “Tell me about him,” I somehow managed to get out. “Is he kind? Does he have a sense of humor?”

  “He’s so very handsome, Julianna.” To everyone else I was known as Jules, but Penny had decided only this year it wasn’t sophisticated enough. “Every lady wanted him.”

  Mother handed me a cup of tea. “Should have seen Lady Reeves! Green with envy!”

  I sipped my tea, not really tasting the warm drink. A heavy ache had settled in my chest. “But…do you know him well enough? You were only gone for two months, Penny.”

  She sighed as she pulled a silken wrap from a trunk. Five trunks in all. I suddenly understood why they had shopped so thoroughly…Penny was preparing to be an earl’s wife and must have the clothing to go along with her new role.

  “Two months. How much longer do I need to truly know him? Why, we will have the rest of our lives.”

  “Exactly,” Mother replied eagerly. “A woman never wants to know too much about her husband. A little mystery is a good thing.”

  I ignored that piece of ill logic. “Yes, but…”

  “For you!” Penny danced toward me and threw the red wrap around my shoulders. “Mother said it would bring out the red in your hair, and she was right!”

  “I don’t have red hair,” I mumbled, my mind spinning. “It’s brown. Plain brown.”

  Penny was going to marry.

  Life was going to change.

  I would be alone then, with mother, who would nag at me relentlessly about gossip, clothing and finding a husband. No more quiet nights to read while Mother and Penny chatted. No talking with Penny into the wee hours of the morning about our hopes and dreams.

  My life as the spinster sister was about to begin.

  “And Lady Weathers invited us to a masked ball!” Penny exclaimed, pulling me from my thoughts. “But of course I knew him immediately. He’s so very tall and handsome, even with a mask. Julianna, you are listening, aren’t you?”

  I forced myself to smile. Bitterness and jealousy had no place in my heart. I loved my sister. I wanted her to be happy. “Of course I’m listening. I’m so happy for you.”

  She sighed, brushing aside a golden curl that had slipped from her bun. “Oh Julianna, you’ll see. Your time will come. He has brothers. Lots of them. Perhaps we’ll find someone for you!”

  “Dear,” I said with a forced laugh. “I’m perfectly happy being the doting aunt.”

  She knelt in front of a trunk and frowned. “Yes, but I want you to have children for mine to play with. Remember? We talked about that all the time when we were young. It was our dream.”

  “Oh dear,” Mother murmured, looking anxious. “All will be well.”

  I nodded, standing. “Show me what you’ve purchased.”

  If only she would speak of something else. I was trying, truly, yet I couldn’t seem to diminish my sadness. I was losing my sister. My family. Everything was chang
ing.

  “Lord Whitfield is coming to visit, Julianna.” She pulled out a lavender gown. “You’ll get to meet him and you’ll be so impressed!”

  “Here?” I asked, startled. “He’s coming here. When?”

  Penny dove into a trunk, half-hidden by the lid. “Not sure. Maybe in a few days. He’s so incredibly handsome, Julianna.”

  “Yes, you said as much.”

  “I should go to the stables,” Penny muttered. “I did wish to speak to Samuel about the thoroughbreds I saw in London.”

  “Penny,” Mother sighed. “Surely your horses can wait! And you certainly don’t need to bother Samuel, no matter how handsome he is, and how much he indulges you. He has work to do.”

  “Mother,” Penny whined, her face turning red. “Yes, Samuel is handsome, but he’s certainly no Whitfield.”

  “Of course not,” Mother replied loyally. “No one could match the man. And surely that rumor about what happened to his father is merely a rumor.”

  I struggled to regain control. “What rumor?”

  “Mother, should I wear the red silk when he comes?”

  Mother surged to her feet. “Lord, no. It’s much to bold, dear. You must appear meek and innocent. Men like innocent women.”

  I couldn’t remain there listening to Mother’s terrible advice, and Penny waxing poetically about her future fiancé. In a few days I would meet the, no doubt, pompous, titled, arrogant gent who would take my sister away forever. I would smile and be happy for her. But for now, I would run away. I would go into my woods where I could be alone. Alone with my thoughts.

  “I’m going to talk to cook about dinner.” I started toward the door. “You know how hungry father is after a long trip.”

  “Oh darling, don’t worry,” Mother said. “I’m sure he’s already demanded something to eat.”

  “I’ll just make sure.”

  Before they could protest I left the room. I kept my steps slow and steady as I moved across the foyer. I didn’t hurry as I walked down the front stoop and into the dreary drizzle. Didn’t run as I moved across the drive, toward the back garden. I even managed to smile at a maid as she scurried toward the house to get out of the rain.