Once Tempted Read Online Free PDF

both of them, she knew, especially when she saw the fond light in Jemmy’s eyes sparkling at her in invitation.
    “They’re brand new,” the young man explained, “and all the rage with the Royal Fuzileer officers I met last month in town. When mother relents and allows me to buy my commission in the Seventh, I will be ready for those demmed Frogs.” His gaze filled with youthful passion for his dream of making a military career. “But for now, come out and see how accurate they are. I’ll even let you have the first round—much more fun than spending your day with her dragonship.”
    “Keates!” Lady Finch bellowed.
    “Yes, your ladyship,” a resigned Mrs. Keates answered. “I’ll be right there.”
    “What is holding you up, girl? Is that miscreant son of mine out there? If he is, bring him in. I will have an accounting for this bill I received from his tailor.”
    Jemmy blanched at his mother’s wrath. He put a finger to his lips and shook his head furiously at Mrs. Keates.
    “I haven’t seen Jemmy, my lady,” Mrs. Keates told her, “but he left the papers and letters here in the hall for you.”
    “Harumph,” the old girl sputtered. “Well, what are you lolling about for? Bring them in.”
    Smiling at his savior, Jemmy put one of the pistols on the highboy and whispered, “In case you get a chance to escape. Come join me in the east meadow.” He winked and then retreated down the corridor toward the kitchen, where she knew he would hide out until the coast was clear.
    Picking up the bundle, Mrs. Keates sighed. Once the London news was delivered to her ladyship, she knew the rest of her day would be spent listening to her ladyship’s outrage and utter dismay at the moral decay of good society.
    There would be letters written to editors regarding their blatant disregard for the truth, notes dashed off to friends chastising them for their latest follies, and of course, inquiries made as to who exactly the “Lady S.” or “Mr. L.” in the gossip columns might be.
    All of which was dutifully and patiently penned by Mrs. Keates.
    “There you are,” the lady huffed, as Mrs. Keates entered the room. “I think this entire house has gone deaf.”
    She smiled at her employer and laid the papers down on the table next to her ladyship’s chair. Picking up the cowbell, she held it aloft. “If that is so, then I can only guess as to the cause.”
    The lady harrumphed again. “You’ve too much cheek. I should fire you, Keates.”
    Mrs. Keates grinned. “Should I write my notice before your correspondence or after?”
    “You’d more than likely demand your full day’s pay since it is almost noon, so you might as well earn it before you start packing your bags.”
    Mrs. Keates nodded in agreement, knowing full well Lady Finch wouldn’t dismiss her for any amount of cheek. Catching the edge of the lady’s chair, she wheeled her over to the window so she would have better light by which to read. “What shall it be first? The Times or the Morning Post ?”
    The lady fluttered her hand. “The Morning Post. I want to see if they printed my letter.”
    Sorting through the stack, Mrs. Keates organized the collected fortnight’s worth of copies into chronological order, handing the first one to Lady Finch. Then she settled into her chair at the desk nearby, taking up a pen and waiting for her ladyship’s first order of business.
    It didn’t take long.
    “Keates, will you listen to this! Lady Bennington has gone and delivered a son! And at her age. How unseemly.” The lady made several clucking noises that were harbingers of a long letter and a healthy dose of unwanted advice. “I suppose Lord Bennington is strutting about town, taking credit for the entire business himself. Why Miranda married that tiresome goat I’ll never understand.”
    “How old were you when you had Jemmy?” Mrs. Keates asked, knowing full well Lady Finch had been at least five years older when the Finch heir had made his