A Sordid Situation Read Online Free

through
his trousers.
    Eugenia downed the last of the brandy. She had a decision to
make. Of course, there was little to consider.
    Pulling stationary from a drawer in the desk, she drafted a
response and sealed it within an envelope, and as she did, she got the feeling
she was also sealing her fate.

     

     

Chapter Three

     
    Cal
grinned as he read Eugenia’s response. She was a vixen underneath her veneer of
sensibility.
    The letter had been there on his desk that morning when he
arrived at the office. It was a pleasant way to start the day.

     
    Mr. Hawthorne,

    After much thinking on my
behalf, I feel it’s in my own best interest, but against my better judgment, to
take you up on your offer. I await your reply.

     
    E.
Wareham

     
    At once, he drafted a reply.

     
    Ms. Wareham,

    I’m pleased that you have
considered and accepted my offer. You will come to my house tomorrow evening at
seven. I assure you the utmost discretion will be taken. I’m located at
seventy-eight
Harcourt Road
.

    Did I mention that this
pleases me to no end? If not, let me state it here and now for posterior. It
does!

     
    Sincerely,

    C. Hawthorne

     
    * * * *

     
    Eugenia smiled when she finished reading the letter. Seven, indeed.
    She’d dress in her best gown and would wear her black silken
cloak as a disguise. Since the distance was but a few blocks and she could
easily walk there, Eugenia decided not to use her driver.
    Darkness fell early this time of year. It was a perk of the autumn
season and this would provide her with further anonymity.
    It was business, nothing more and nothing less. And as such,
that’s exactly how she would treat the situation.
    William had been much older than she. When Eugenia married him,
she expected that sex would simply become a part of her wifely duties—it was
expected of her. Unfortunately, William lacked interest and in the last few
months of their marriage, he took to sleeping in different quarters.
    On the scattered occasion he’d come calling, it was always late
at night, hurried and over before she knew it. She had grown to believe that
was it. That was the marriage bed. Real intimacy between a man and woman did
not exist. She was never meant to enjoy it. Not even her years at the…. No, she
wouldn’t think of that, not at this time. Never
again!
    When Mr. Hawthorne touched her with his hands and lips, it felt
good, so good that something inside her had been roused—like an awakening. She
shivered at the thought, knowing there was so much more they could do. Was a
woman to enjoy it, like a man? Curiosity overwhelmed her.
    That evening she partook an early dinner and retired for the
night. She’d need her rest. Tomorrow was an important day and she had to be
ready for everything that was to be thrown her way.
    In bed, snuggled under the bedclothes, Eugenia thought of the
mysterious man, and what was to come between them. She smiled, closed her eyes
and let the images come to her. Images of him, his body, his lips, his hands,
and things she only dared dream.

     
    * * * *

     
    The following day passed by quickly in a flourish of preparation.
Cal
had
ordered the house to be cleaned from top to bottom. Fresh flowers adorned every
vase and had been distributed throughout the house, while the cook prepared
dinner downstairs in the kitchen under his strict direction. Everything had to
be perfect for tonight. There was no room for error.
    The servants had been given the night off. Privacy tonight was a
priority. He had promised her discretion and it could not be compromised at any
costs.
    “Surely sir, you’ll need at least one girl to stay behind and
serve,” said the cook, as
Cal
entered the kitchen, her crisp white apron constraining the majority of her
hefty bulk. “It’s not proper for you to do such a menial task. It’s what you
pay us for. Cara would be more than happy to stay on.” She flashed a glance at
the young girl who stood at her side.
    “Under different