After Innocence Read Online Free PDF

with his mind.
    Edward forced himself to look away from her. He was shocked with himself, shocked with what he had already done and what he wanted to do now. His heart was pounding so hard, he could hear it in his ears. What was wrong with him? Not only wasn’t she the kind of woman he dallied with, his interest was founded upon all the wrong reasons.
    His glance crept back to her, of its own volition. She was staring at him, still flushing right down to the high, tight collar of her horrendous gown, and she turned abruptly away when their gazes collided again. He was more than fascinated. He had a terrible inkling that he was out of control.
    But why? This woman was not and never would be appropriate for him. She was undoubtedly seeking a proper husband, would one day have a few children in her very proper home. His interest was futile, for Edward was a determined bachelor. He knew, firsthand, how rotten marriage could be. Lust could not hold a couple together, and Edward did not believe in love. His separated parents were living proof of that. As were the hundreds of married women who sought his bed.
    Hilary appeared at Edward’s side with another woman. “Hello, Mr. Delanza,” she said politely, as if they hardly knew each other.
    Edward forced a smile onto his face and bowed, taking her hand and kissing it. He spoke automatically, unable to rid his mind of the image of the proper young lady across the room. Or of other images of her, ones that were far from proper. “Mrs. Stewart, have you enjoyed your day in the sun?”
    Her long lashes fell. “Very much. And you?”
    “Mmm, of course.”
    “Do you know Miss Vanderbill?”
    “How could I forget?” Edward said with a smile, also bowing over her hand and lifting it to his lips.
    Carmine Vanderbill laughed nervously, but she was smiling widely, reluctant to drop her hand.
    As Hilary chatted, Edward responded when he sensed it was up to him, yet he kept one eye on the young woman on the other side of the room. After a few short moments he realized that something was wrong.
    She stood alone, completely alone, as if a pariah. But that, of course, was impossible.
    “Who is that young lady?” he asked the two women abruptly.
    Immediately Hilary and Carmine followed his gaze, and when they saw whom he had asked about, they were both wide-eyed with surprise. “That’s Sofie O’Neil,” Hilary said easily. “She is Suzanne Ralston’s daughter from her first marriage. But why do you ask?”
    “Because she’s standing alone, and obviously distressed because of it.” Edward’s dimples flashed. “I think I shall rescue her,” he stated, and with a nod, he left both women gawking after him.
    Edward crossed the room.
    He nodded at those he passed but did not pause to converse. He told himself that he was acting honorably, and managed to believe it. He failed to understand why no one had gone to Miss O’Neil’s rescue as of yet. Was he the only gentleman present? He was irritated with the assembly for their universal indifference. And he ignored the partly tumescent presence between his thighs.
    As he approached his quarry he began to assimilate many interesting details. She was of medium stature, but he suspected that her proportions were perfectly suited to her moderate build. He glimpsed traces of gold in her brownish hair, recalled how golden it had been in the sunlight, and saw that her skin had a warm tone not unlike that of apricots, which made her really quite remarkable. He wondered who had done her hair in such a severeand spinsterish style, wondered who had picked the awful gown, and found himself annoyed. She was not going to find herself a husband if she presented herself this way.
    Then he imagined her with another man, and his annoyance grew.
    She had seen him. He watched as her eyes grew wide. He had approached her in an unwavering, direct line. How he regretted his horrendous performance of the afternoon. But it was too late for regrets. She knew