A Dangerous Temptation

by L. R. Olson

  I parted my lips to tell her but before I could get the words out a beautiful blonde stepped up to his side and slid her arm through his in a familiar way.

  A blonde I knew well.

  “Penny?” I whispered.

  “What about Penny?” Cecilia whispered. “Jules, please, I’m worried. What is it?”

  James leaned down and murmured something in my sister’s ear, something that made her blush. An intimate act between a couple. It took everything in my power not to race across the room and tear my sister from his evil grasp.

  They both turned toward my parents. Father was speaking to the crowd, but I couldn’t barely hear a word over the pounding of blood through my veins.

  “…join me in celebrating our daughter Penelope’s engagement to Lord Whitfield.”

  I gasped as if I’d been punched in the stomach. They stood as a couple at the front of the room, he dark and mysterious, she pale and perfect. A stunning couple, or so the crowd murmured.

  “I…I slept with someone,” I said. “I…I gave myself to someone. I’m completely ruined.”

  Cecilia’s mouth fell open. “When? Who?”

  Penny smiled, giddy and pleased with the attention. And James…his bored gaze swept over the crowd, over me. He was play-acting, pretending to be the loyal and reputable earl. Penny’s earl. My stomach roiled.

  I took only a slight bit of satisfaction when he paused, and his gaze jumped back to my face. He’d recognized me. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh at the absurdity of it all, or cry.

  He hadn’t known who I was either.

  His surprise quickly gave way to cold contempt. The entire room fell away and it was only he and I. He would wonder if I had slept with him on purpose, to get back at my sister for some injustice. He didn’t know me, didn’t know me at all. Never had. The anger that seethed from him sent a shiver over my body. His very face was thunderous.

  “Who did you sleep with, Jules?” Cecilia asked, her hand tightening on my arm.

  I shook my head, feeling light-headed and slightly delirious. “I’m such a fool.”

  I had loved him the moment I’d seen him bathing.

  Perhaps I was insane. Perhaps I’d drunk too much champagne or read too many romantic novels. Perhaps.

  But I swore I had loved him.

  It was unfortunate, then, that he loved my sister instead.

  “Who did you sleep with, Jules?” Cecilia whispered fiercely, stepping in front of me and gripping my shoulders. “Who?”

  Slowly, I met her gaze. “My sister’s fiancé.”

  Volume Two

  James

  I didn’t believe in love.

  I didn’t believe in anything I couldn’t touch, taste or see.

  Why? Because I was sane.

  I was a rational man who used my brain, not some useless organ like the heart. I knew my station in life. I knew what was expected of me. That did not include falling for some completely inappropriate chit. I would be the man to carry on the family line, to crush the gossip and force society to forget our more nefarious past whether they wanted to or not. And to accomplish such a deed, I would marry a suitable wife.

  I had only four requirements of the woman:

  One, she would be someone who would be proper at all times. My family had endured enough scandal to last a lifetime.

  Two, she would be someone who was kind, caring, with a pleasant and happy disposition. I owed my future sons at least that much.

  Three, she would be someone who would obey me at all times. I had no room in my life nor patience for disobedience or dramatics.

  Four, she would be beautiful, of course.

  And I’d found that happy, cheerful woman in Miss Penelope Brooks. A stunning blonde with creamy English skin, and sparkling blue eyes. A woman who always smiled, was forever cheerful, and most importantly always proper. If she was intimidated by my presence, it would only help the matter, for that fear meant she would obey my every command.

  Yes, she was pure perfection. The moment I’d spotted her at the Ashby Ball, I’d known she would be my wife. No, it wasn’t heart-pounding attraction, or some sort of silly poetic adoration. I was more rational in my feelings. Much like a mathematician when figuring out a problem, I’d studied her interactions, appreciated the way she smiled and held herself within society’s strict standards. Polite, demure, perfect. And I knew after only a few hours that she would be my wife. It had all been quite easy. Too easy. I should have known better.

  I knew Penny had a sister named Julianna. Penny had spoken about her on more than one occasion while we’d danced. I’d even heard the chit had been ruined, but I had paid no heed. She’d been hidden away in the country where she could do no harm. Besides, when I set my mind to a plan, I always followed through. And I’d set my mind to marry Penny no matter how inappropriate her sibling. I was well on my way to marriage with a responsible, acceptable lady.

  Until I’d met Julianna…a woman nothing like the cheerful, simple Penny.

  Julianna taunted me. Teased. Drove me mad.

  Her emotions were as fleeting as sunshine over the moors. She was as biddable as a rabid pup. And she was about as proper as a whore selling her wares on the streets in East London. Hell, the woman barely seemed to care what society thought about her actions.

  She was the complete opposite of what I wanted, needed. So why the hell couldn’t I let her go? Why the hell did she haunt my dreams and waking moments?

  Somehow, in some way, she’d burrowed beneath my skin.

  She’d ruined my carefully constructed plan.

  And for that she would pay.

  Chapter 1

  Julianna

  Penelope was gone.

  “Jules,” Mother hissed in my ear. “Did you hear me? Your sister has disappeared! Nowhere to be found. I swear, if you had anything to do—”

  “Of course I didn’t,” I interrupted, startled back from the shock of my mother’s words. “I don’t understand. How can she be missing?”

  Father stood on the other side of the parlor, a drink in hand, looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but mingling with the twenty guests who had arrived early for the wedding. There were more to come. Men and women would be visiting for the next two days. It was the biggest event our town could claim in years.

  Penny was marrying an earl.

  From across the room, I caught Cecilia’s attention and she gave me an encouraging smile. She was the only one who knew how truly terrible this wedding was for me. The only one who cared. I took a sip of champagne, not really tasting the bubbly drink.

  The only one absent was Penny’s earl, who had yet to arrive. I’d been holding out hope he’d met a timely death, or been stolen by gypsies. Perhaps forced into servitude upon some ship set for Asia. I could dream. I’d fully expected him to call off the wedding, perhaps hoped. He hadn’t.

  Instead, it seemed Penny was to be the one to disappear.

  Mother pinched my arm to gain my attention, much like she’d done when I’d been a child and misbehaving. “You have no clue as to where she has gone?”

  “No.” I forced the smile to remain upon my lips, so the guests wouldn’t realize something was amiss. “You act as if I’m hiding her underneath my bed.”

  “One never knows with you.”

  I bit back my reply and took careful pains to smooth down the skirts of my blue muslin gown. I’d been pretending to be happy for Penny and her earl for three months now. Like a trained mutt, it had become my automatic reaction to smile when either name was mentioned. But Penny and I hadn’t exactly been close in the last few months. It wasn’t just anger and disappointment toward her fiancé that kept me from her side, but guilt. How could I face my sister knowing what I’d done? More importantly, knowing the nightmare her life would become once she married her demon of an earl?

  “I haven’t seen her since this morning at breakfast. Are you sure she isn’t merely with Whitfield? Perhaps they wanted a moment alone.”

 
; The thought of them enjoying an intimate moment made me want to gag on my champagne.

  “No, he hasn’t arrived yet. As far as I know he’s still in town. Now go find her,” Mother replied, with an artificial smile as Father started our way. No doubt Mother had guards posted at every lane to warn her when James might be arriving. “And quickly before your father realizes she’s missing!”

  With a sigh, I set my champagne upon a passing tray and moved toward the door. Three months had trickled by and I had finally realized my secret was safe. James wasn’t about to tell his fiancé what had happened between us any more than I was. Still, I hadn’t been able to relax. How could I when I was constantly worried he would appear, catching me off guard like the Grim Reaper himself? I could barely stand to hear his name spoken aloud, let alone see him in the person without wanting to slap his arrogant face.

  I nodded toward those who greeted me but continued my casual stroll across the room, attempting to look unhurried, at ease. The happy spinster, thrilled for her younger sister. Yes, part of this was my fault. After all, I had thought to nudge James into marrying me by seducing him. And for that, I had a feeling he would forever hate me. But he had pretended as if he was unattached, and had betrayed my very sister. Who was the worst offender? I sighed. Perhaps we were both horrible people.

  At least he wasn’t staying at the Welch estate any longer. He’d crawled back to the bowels of hell, or where ever it was he lived. But once a month he’d arrive with gifts for Penny, playing the doting fiancé to perfection. I’d seen them together only a few times. Too disgusted to remain in their presence for more than a minute, I’d claim to be busy when he visited. And when Mother had once asked about my odd behavior, I had said that I wanted to give Penny and her future husband time alone.

  The last three months had been a whirlwind of confusing emotions. Anger, despair, shame…I seemed to have experienced it all when he visited. Although she’d had her misgivings about her earl months ago, Penny now claimed she adored James. She certainly thought him handsome, but then how could she not? Everyone thought him handsome and he used his looks to his benefit.

  And every time she waxed poetically about the man, I wanted to scream, to shake loose some sense within her simple, innocent mind. I had a feeling my sister was more excited about the attention she was receiving, than the man she was marrying.

  I wasn’t the only one to have misgivings. Cecilia had admitted that rumors had reached the village about Penny’s earl. Family secrets. Unexplained deaths. Greed. When I’d brought the rumors to my mother’s attention she’d merely waved them away.

  “What titled family doesn’t have an unexplained death or two?”

  I’d realized with her reply that nothing I said would matter. They’d placed him upon a pedestal and he would not fall.

  “Bleeding wonderful time to disappear, Penny.” Spotting the door only steps ahead, I eagerly raced from the room, desperate to get away from the crowds. But instead of freedom, I ran directly into a hard, muscled chest that smelled lightly of sandalwood. A musky and manly scent that made my senses spin, that reminded me all too much of James.

  “Careful.” Two large hands gripped my upper arms, keeping me steady. No, not James, but he sounded similar. “Don’t want to injure yourself.”

  “I do apologize.” Bemused, I tilted my head back only to look up into the charming smile of his younger brother. A born rake, or so the gossiping biddies had said when he’d arrived this morning. Not that his reputation had kept the women at bay. If anything, they only adored him even more.

  According to Penny James could claim three brothers, yet only one had arrived. It said a lot about a person, in my opinion, when most of his family ignored his wedding. This man, Rafe, was almost as handsome as his older brother, but in a more carefree sort of way. He smiled often, the sort of man that might ruin a girl with a grin. Dark hair like his brother, but blue eyes and a dimple in his left cheek. Seeing him was a shock to my very being, for he reminded me so of James.

  “Oh. Hello there,” he drawled out. “Julianna, right?”

  I nodded, my gaze darting around the empty foyer in search of Penny. This man and his family meant nothing to me. I didn’t have time nor desire to chat with Rafe. Once Penny was gone, I would see them as little as possible. I’d miss my sister, but it would be the best for everyone when she lived on the other side of England. Where the bloody hell was she, anyway?

  “Looking for someone?”

  I tipped the corners of my lips into a polite smile. “Merely my sister, Penny.”

  He laughed. A laugh so like his brother’s that it startled me. He had the same build, same muscled body, broad shoulders, and lean hips as James. “Has she run away already? Don’t blame her. My brother is usually reserved, but lately he’s been downright unbearable. How she can stand…”

  I quirked a brow.

  He flushed, tugging at his collar. “I say too much. I don’t mean to imply he’s a horrible person… the stress of the wedding and all…”

  I shook my head, in no mood to listen to this man’s pathetic defense of his demon brother. The evidence continued to build. “I really must find Penny.”

  He smiled his brother’s smile and my heart lurched. If merely being near Rafe made me nervous because of his association with James, how would I sit in the church and watch Penny marry the demon earl? Dare I call off with an illness? Would Mother believe me? Perhaps one of the maids would know of some sort of vomit-inducing concoction.

  “Of course,” he murmured, all too eager to step aside. He’d stuck his foot in his mouth alright. Damnation, if his own brother thought he was a monster….

  I curtsied, then shifted around him and raced toward the kitchens. I had no time for nonsense, and James and his brothers were nonsense. Blast James to hell!

  I’d lost weight since that night those months ago. I’d become a pale reflection of who I’d been, and I hated that James could influence me so. But as Mother had insisted, I’d kept smiling…at least when I was outside of my room.

  But at night while I lay alone in my bed I couldn’t control my thoughts. I found myself tossing and turning, staring wide-eyed at the dark ceiling, wondering how I had fallen for the man. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t paint. I could barely eat. My time was spent remembering those moments in his bed: his heated touch, his scent, his kiss.

  “Have you seen Penny?” I asked, as I stepped into the kitchen. The room smelled of roasted duck and cinnamon desserts, something that would have made my mouth water months ago. But I no longer had an appetite. I’d lost all sense of pleasure. At least I knew I wasn’t with child. My lack of appetite had nothing to do with morning sickness and everything to do with mental anguish.

  “No, dear, sorry,” Cook said.

  I moved through the kitchen, avoiding the many maids scurrying around the room preparing the night’s important dinner, and stepped out into the cool evening air. How would I sit there at that table and watch them dine together? Smiling like the happy couple. I couldn’t possibly eat, for I knew my stomach would be twisted in knots.

  I found Penny easily. There she was…sitting on our swing. All the anger and bitterness I felt faded as I caught sight of her pretty but morose face. Things had been strange between us lately, but seeing her looking so young, so lost, so like the child she’d once been, made my heart ache.

  I started toward her. “Penny.”

  She glanced up at me, tears in her eyes.

  My heart plummeted, the protective instinct within me flaring. “What is it?”

  She shook her head, sniffling. “Nothing.”

  I glanced toward the door, worried Mother would find us and I wouldn’t have time to get the truth from my sister. “Penny, it’s me. You can tell me anything, you know that.”

  I didn’t think she would respond when she looked away, hiding her face in shame. She looked so sweet and innocent in her light pink dress, her blonde hair in braids and curls around her heart-shaped face, t
hat I was reminded of more innocent days.

  “Penny?”

  Finally she released a trembling breath. “He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t dote on me.”

  This was about James. Well of course he didn’t love her. How could he love anyone when he had no heart? He was a horrible, wretched person. If I had been a dutiful daughter, I would have told her that their love would grow. James would be arriving any moment, and in two days they would marry. But as I stood there staring into the romantic, hopeful, and miserable face of my little sister…I couldn’t lie.

  “Don’t marry him, Penny,” I blurted out.

  Startled, her gaze went wide.

  I wished I could tell her the truth. The man had slept with me, taken my virginity, then left me coldly to deal with the aftermath alone. Not once, in all these months, had he tried to apologize. In fact, he ignored me as if I didn’t exist. I’d been able to continue on because I was strong. She wouldn’t. And he would betray her. I had no doubt.

  “Don’t.”

  She gripped the ropes so tightly, her knuckles went white. “But…I have to. All these people are here…”

  I shook my head. “No.” I took her hands in mine, desperate for her to understand without telling her too much. If she knew the truth, she would never forgive me. “You don’t. Call off. Now. Before he arrives.”

  Looking perturbed and confused, she pulled her hands away. “Mother and Father would kill me.”

  “It’s forever, Penny. Think about that.” I shoved her aside and settled next to her on the swing, the branch above creaking out a warning. “Can you see yourself married to the man forever? Eternity? That coldness, that lack of love…”

  Her face went pale and I hated myself for scaring her, but saw no other way to make her understand. I hadn’t had much of a chance to speak with her, and this could be my last opportunity.

  “Perhaps he’ll warm up to me.”

  “No, Penny. I know…” I bit back my response. I couldn’t tell her. I couldn’t. She would never speak to me again. The shame would ruin our family forever. “I’ve heard rumors, my dear. He’s not the honorable man you think.”