A Taste of Temptation Read Online Free PDF Page B

hand on the burgundy fabric of the coverlet. It was cool to her touch and the grade of cloth so fine it felt almost silky.
    The pillows at the head of the bed were large and inviting to slumber.
    Feeling more at ease the longer she stayed, she walked over to the pillowy-stuffed wing chair that was upholstered in linen. It looked so comfortable that she sat down and lifted her feet off the floor, swinging them as if she were dipping them into a cold stream on a hot afternoon.
    Olivia laid her head against the soft cushion and her mind drifted back to when the earl’s gaze caught hers as she stood in line. Her breasts tightened as she remembered how his intrusive stare had sent unexpected tremors of awareness low in her abdomen.
    Shaking off those unwanted feelings, she rose and walked over to the exquisitely carved dresser with a square looking glass. In the center of the marble top a copper basin glimmered appealingly, glowing like alabaster in the soft light from the low-burning oil lamp.
    To one side of the basin lay an ivory-handled hair brush, a short fat bottle filled with liquid, and a small saucer holding some coins. On the other side rested a china dish with a block of soap lying in it and a stand that held a shaving brush.
    Olivia picked up the bottle and inhaled. It smelled of musky, mint-scented water. She smiled. It was masculine, yet heavenly pleasing to her senses.
    Is this how the earl smells?

    She put the bottle down and picked up the soap. Cupping it with both hands, she put it to her nose. It held the same fresh, clean scent of mint. She closed her eyes and breathed in heavily again.
    “What the devil are you doing?”
    Startled, Olivia jumped and dropped the bar of soap onto the dresser. It hit the copper basin with a loud clang-ing noise that seemed to reverberate throughout the room.
    “Oh, heavens above, you startled the living daylights out of me,” she said as she fumbled for the soap and quickly put it back into its proper place before looking back at the earl.
    Leaving the door ajar, he walked farther into the room.
    “You’re startled? Imagine how I feel finding a young lady in my bedchamber.”
    She felt her cheeks flame red. Oh why had she let the urge to explore his room overcome her? A quick peek was all she needed to satisfy her aunt. What madness, what folly had controlled her? The worst possible thing had happened. She had been caught.
    “I was just—” She stopped. What could she tell him?
    The truth?
    No. He’ll think I’m doddering or insane. And maybe I am for not leaving when I had the chance.
    She had made her aunt promise not to mention their mission to anyone and she couldn’t either. Could she?
    “Go on. You were what? Looking over my things? Perhaps planning to steal a few items?” His implication was clear and she didn’t like it.
    “Of course not,” she said indignantly, trying not to be frightened by his accusation or the dangerous way he advanced on her.
    His hard gaze strayed to the items on the dresser before settling on her face once again. “Were you looking for jewelry or some coins to hide in your handkerchief?”
    “I’m not a thief!”
    As soon as she said that she realized how laughable that sounded considering the fact she was in his private chamber looking over his intimate belongings. What else could he possibly think?
    He lifted a skeptical brow. “Then why are you in here?” Which would she rather he believe, that she was looking over the items in his room hoping to steal something from him or that she had taken leave of her good senses?
    Suddenly Olivia blurted, “If you must know, I was looking for a ghost.”

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    O livia cringed inwardly. Right now she wished she were a ghost so she could vanish through the walls and never be seen again.
    She couldn’t recall a time in her life when she had ever been flustered, but this man had her close to it, and in less than two minutes of being