A Taste of Temptation Read Online Free PDF

listen to the music and then”—she paused as she needed to swallow the lump in her throat—“and then I will search the house for Lord Pinkwater’s ghost.” 8
    A n hour later, a runner offine carpet muffled Olivia’s steps as she left the ladies’ retiring room and tiptoed down the brightly lit corridor. Her heart pounded with uncertainties in her chest, but she forced herself to remain collected. The area seemed to stretch forever toward the closed door at the end of the corridor.
    Olivia was not looking forward to walking down it because she was invading her host’s privacy, not a very honorable thing to do.
    The room set aside for the ladies to refresh themselves was one of the bedchambers. From her quick assessment of the vicinity it appeared there was only one other room on the floor. She had reason to believe that what lay behind the door at the other end was also a sleeping room.
    Olivia wondered why she’d told her aunt she would search the house for a ghost. It was insane. Why had she even agreed to come to London on this ill-fated mission?
    She should be in her own hometown waiting for the shy Mr. Yost to ask her to dance. Instead she was in a handsome earl’s house searching for a phantom that probably didn’t exist.
    She had no fear of actually finding a ghost, but had to glance in each room. That way she could look Aunt Agatha in the eyes and in all good faith say that Lord Pinkwater’s ghost was not in this house.
    When Olivia made it to the end of the corridor she glanced back. All was quiet, but it wouldn’t be for long, as ladies were continuously coming and going from their designated room.
    She took a deep breath and placed her hand on the door knob and slowly turned, then pushed the door open just a crack and listened. No noise came from inside the room.
    She looked behind her again and then opened the door a little farther so that she could stick her head around the door and sneak a quick peek inside.

    Light from the corridor sliced into the room, shooting a beam of brightness across the floor. A tall tester bed stood against the far wall. The draperies, canopy, and coverlet were a rich burgundy-colored fabric trimmed with short, gold bullion fringe. Her gaze darted past the luxuriously appointed bed to a tall, mahogany dressing table where a lamp burned low. Glowing embers smoldered in the fireplace along the back wall.
    There was a warmth in the room that called to her until Olivia heard voices coming up the stairs behind her. A chill flew down her spine and her heart jumped to her throat. For an instant she was panic-stricken. If she was caught she could never explain this rude intrusion.
    Did she have time to shut the door and get down the hallway to the retiring room? If she didn’t make it she could say she was confused about which room was for the ladies.
    Moments seemed to tick by while she considered what to do. The voices grew closer.
    With no time for further thought, she quickly dashed inside the bedchamber and quietly shut the door. She leaned against it, closing her eyes, not daring to breathe, and waited for the voices to fade away while she calmed her racing heart.
    When the corridor was quiet once more she took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and stepped away from the door.
    Her gaze scanned the handsomely decorated room. It appeared to be the sleeping quarters of the master of the house.
    A shiver of curiosity raced through her.
    Olivia knew she should leave at once, but she suddenly felt no inclination to do so. She was fairly certain she didn’t believe in ghosts, but something strange, something she didn’t understand, was pulling her farther into the room, beckoning her to take a closer look at the forbidden.

    Perhaps it was mere curiosity because she’d never been in a man’s private chamber before. All she knew was that now she was inside, she couldn’t resist the temptation to admire the earl’s room.
    She slowly made her way over to the bed and placed her