Ripe for Pleasure Read Online Free PDF Page A

with anger and quaking with need. All she could think about
     were those long-fingered hands sliding up her calf… The bastard.

CHAPTER 4
    V iola handed her hat and gloves to Mrs. Pendergast’s doorman and hurried to the parlor. It was evident, even through the closed
     door, that a lively discussion was already under way. As she pushed into the plush inner sanctum of London’s most elite brothel,
     she heard Lady Grosvenor’s laughter cut through the air like a soprano climbing to the top of her range.
    Beside Lady Grosvenor were the other members of the New Female Coterie, demi-reps all. Lady Ligonier, Lady Worsley, Mrs. Newton,
     and the grandame of them all, the Countess of Harrington. Most of the members of their society were the fallen wives and daughters
     of nobility. Lady Harrington, on the other hand, was merely infamous, her husband having been more democratic in his views
     of wifely fidelity than most of his fellows. Of course, he was probably upstairs with one of Mrs. Pendergast’s girls at this
     very moment…
    Lady Grosvenor gathered her ever-present pug into her lap and patted the settee beside her, her eyes crinklingwith mirth. “Mrs. Whedon, I hear such tales of you that I burn for corroboration. You were attacked? In your own home? And
     saved by Lord Leonidas Vaughn?”
    “Yes,” Lady Worsley said, leaning forward, anticipation writ plainly on her face. “Please do tell us that the rumors are true.
     That Lord Leonidas has fallen at last?”
    “I’m afraid I’m the one who’s meant to fall.” Viola fingered the trailing ribbon of her sash. “And yes, I awoke to find housebreakers
     in my bedroom. They were after the manuscript for the next volume of my memoir.” She shuddered at the memory. “Lord Leonidas
     was walking home from a late night of cards when I burst onto the walk.”
    “Thank heavens,” Mrs. Newton said.
    “Lucky girl, more belike,” Lady Grosvenor replied with a hint of a smile. “What a savior to find at hand.”
    “Yes,” Viola conceded, ignoring the flustered pulse beating its way through her veins. “He took care of everything, from searching
     the house to meeting with the runners.” Her footman’s lifeless body flashed behind her eyes. “The runner doesn’t hold out
     much hope for catching them, though. He promised they’d do their best, but without more to go on, they can hardly accuse Sir
     Hugo publicly—though I know they must have been in the baronet’s employ—and without Sir Hugo, the runners are unlikely to
     be able to trace my assailants.”
    “But Lord Leonidas has everything in hand?” Lady Harrington asked with a somewhat surprised expression.
    Viola nodded. “He’s taken the reins quite handily. I couldn’t stop him if I wanted to. He’s outrageous.”
    “But handsome.”
    “And rich.”
    “Not to mention, just think of the
size
of him.” Lady Ligonier looked rapturous. “There must be only a handful of men among the
ton
who are anywhere near his height.”
    The first hint of a blush burned Viola’s cheeks. She’d been thinking of very little else for days. “And entirely sure of himself,”
     she added to their list. “You won’t believe the proposal he’s made me.”
    “Stingy, is he? I wouldn’t have thought it of him. The Vaughns tend more toward grand gestures.” Lady Harrington selected
     a small cake from the tray and ate it in one bite.
    “I can still remember the wild, romantic tale of his parents’ elopement,” Lady Grosvenor said with a sigh. “I think it made
     far too large an impression on me as a girl.”
    Viola broke into a smile. “He’s not offered to become my protector. Or rather, he has offered help with Sir Hugo, to quite
     literally protect me, but only if given the chance to seduce his way into my bed.”
    “Let him.” Lady Ligonier fanned herself, batting her eyes playfully. “Lord knows I would.”
    Everyone broke out in laughter. Viola eyed her disarmingly frank friend. Lady