To Please A Lady (The Seduction Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

skirt.
    His warm hands slid around her hips, spanning her narrow waist. But as his grip moved toward her arse, reality came crashing down. Her eyes opened. Dear God, what was she thinking? She shoved her hands into his chest and pushed back, stumbling away from him. Her breath came out in harsh pants she did not recognize as her own, the sound of lust.
    “I’m sorry.” Tears burned her eyes as she smoothed down her skirts, finding fascination with the fern pattern upon her gown. What had she done? Her body no longer felt her own, her soul tarnished. She had the oddest feeling the world would know whatshe had done the moment she stepped foot into London. She’d be branded a sinner, a cheat, a liar.
    “What is it?” He started to reach for her, obviously concerned. He seemed genuinely startled by her unease.
    She stepped back, shaking her head. He couldn’t touch her because it was wrong, but mostly because she feared if he brought her close, she wouldn’t want him to let go. “I just… I can’t. I’m sorry.”
    “Why?” James asked, grabbing her hand. His fingers were warm, strong, as they wrapped around her cold palm. So very much larger than she, he could prevent her from leaving if he wished. She jerked away and snatched up her bonnet and gloves.
    “Because.” She started toward the door. “If my husband ever uncovers the truth, he will not only kill me, but you as well.”
    Without another word, without further explanation, Eleanor tore open the door and fled, vowing never to return to Lady Lavender’s den of sin again.

Chapter 2
    “She left without partaking?”
    “Yes.” James relaxed into the chair across from Ophelia’s desk. The very chair where Mrs. Richards had sat only hours ago. He scratched his jaw thoughtfully, wondering over her true name. She was a beautiful woman, there was no doubt, and he’d been stunned for a brief moment when he’d taken off her bonnet and gotten a good look at her features. But her beauty was forgotten when he’d looked into her eyes… brilliant blue eyes full of fear and sadness and a resolute determination he knew only too well.
    “Do you agree?” Ophelia said.
    James jerked his gaze to her. “I’m sorry?”
    She sighed impatiently, realizing he hadn’t been paying attention. James grinned sheepishly, but she didn’t return his smile. She’d changed in the years since Alex had left. Changed, even in the past few months, and not for the better. He worried about her, although he knew she’d merely brush aside his concern if he spoke aloud. But she couldn’t hide the fact that she’d gotten thinner, didn’t smile as often, and rarely slept. She seemed desperatefor something he didn’t understand, and he was no longer sure what she wanted.
    He didn’t blame Alex in the least for leaving, yet he did think the man could have done it in a more compassionate manner. He had no doubt Ophelia felt betrayed by their parting, for it had been far from pleasant. As cold and calculating as she was, women always tended to take things personally. Still, he’d understood Alex’s frustration with the woman.
    Yes, Lady Lavender was a tyrant at times. Yes, she was manipulative, even demanding. But James owed her his life. He owed her the life of his sister and mother. If she hadn’t found him in that prison, he would have hanged, his family would have starved. For those reasons he would be forever loyal to the brothel owner, even if Alex hadn’t been.
    She stood and paced to the windows that overlooked those rolling fields of lavender. She’d paced a lot in the last few months. “It happens often… women lose their nerve.” She turned, the pale lavender day dress she wore swirling around her trim ankles. “It doesn’t matter that men are intimate with whomever they wish, often betraying their marriage vows and wives. For some reason women think they must take the moral high road.”
    He didn’t miss the bitterness in her voice, a bitterness that hardened her