The Wanton Widow - A Regency Novella Read Online Free PDF Page B

seized his arm. “You're just going to leave me in the foyer? In my undergarments? With another man?!”
    Philip shrugged, as if he wasn't the least bit concerned. “Why should I mind? It isn't as if Ed poses any threat whatsoever.”
    “ And why not? Edward is a handsome man... in his own way!” Willow exclaimed. “And yet you're completely content to leave me with him in a state of undress?”
    “ If it bothers you that much, my dear...” In the middle of his sentence, Philip leaned forward and kissed her on the head, “get dressed.”
    And with that, Philip hurried off and left them in the foyer together.
    “ So...” As soon as they were alone, Edward's ears starting turning a mottled crimson. Being alone with a half-naked lady wasn't something he had done before. “P-Perhaps I should excuse myself?”
    “ Nonsense!” Still holding the puppy, Willow grabbed Edward's arm and proceeded to drag him through the house. “Who says I cannot entertain our guest?” She led him to one of the sitting rooms and plopped on the floor with the puppy. The tiny beast immediately started gnawing the hem of her petticoat. “Would you like some refreshments? Some tea, perhaps?”
    “ N-n-no thanks. I-I'm quite c-c-content.” As soon as Philip had excused himself, Edward could feel his stutter getting worse and worse.
    When she saw him approaching the settee, she exclaimed, “Sit on the floor with me!”
    “ P-Pardon?”
    “ The floor,” Willow repeated. “Why not join me on the floor? We can play with the puppy together.”
    Edward opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He was so taken aback by the situation, he could scarcely remember the English language, let alone, his own name. When he sat on the floor, the puppy bounded toward him and head-butted him in the knee.
    “ So, what do you think I should call him?” Willow started crawling on her hands and knees, chasing the overzealous puppy around the room. When she did, her bosoms threatened to explode from her bodice. Edward was so undone by the sight, he had to loosen his cravat in order to breathe.
    “ Wh-who?”
    “ The puppy!” Willow exclaimed. “He should have a name, should he not? Maybe I should name him after you?”
    “ I d-don't know about that.”
    “ Perhaps Eddie?” she suggested with a smile. “Or Harry for Harcourt?”
    “ I think you should n-name him whatever you would like.”
    “ Then Eddie it shall be!” Willow declared. She scooped the puppy from the floor and cradled it against her cheek, which had the animal convulsing with spasms of excitement. It's tiny pink tongue shot out and tickled her chin.
    “ I envy him,” Edward said.
    “ Who? The puppy?” Willow asked with a giggle. “If you'd like, I'll let you lick my face as well!”
    “ N-no!” Edward laughed at her suggestion. “Philip. I envy Lord Mowbray. H-he has everything a man could want. He has a title, a fortune, good looks. And... he has you.”
    “ I am sure I am nothing worth envying,” Willow said, dismissing his statement with a flick of her hand.
    “ N-no. You are. You're a very beautiful woman.”
    Willow lowered the puppy to the floor and started crawling toward Edward. She sat next to him on the floor; of course, the puppy refused to be abandoned. Eddie bounded over to Willow and sprang into her lap. “Are you flirting with me, Mr. Harcourt?”
    “ N-no! N-n-nothing like that!” Edward stuttered. “I only hope my fr-friend will appreciate what he has.”
    “ Actually, I'm quite certain he takes me for granted. When a man believes he has already won his girl, he stops wooing her altogether!”
    “ Do you care for him?”
    The puppy rolled onto its back, so Willow started scratching his stomach. “Philip? Yes, I suppose I do.”
    “ Well, it he ever treats you badly, let me know,” Edward said. “I will be sure to b-box his ears.”
    “ Thank you, Edward. It is good to know I have a champion in you. Although... if my brother ever catches