A Sordid Situation Read Online Free Page B

A Sordid Situation
Book: A Sordid Situation Read Online Free
Author: Vivian Kees
Pages:
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never considered travel. William was a homebody.”
    Mr. Hawthorne helped her remove her cloak as she took in her new
surroundings. She glanced at the table, set for two. “But one never knows the
future. My life up to now has been living proof of that.”
    “I don’t doubt you for one minute. I’ve been thinking…it’s time
to do away with the formalities. May I call you, Eugenia?” He pulled out a
chair for her.
    “Yes. Given the circumstances, it would be most fitting.” When
she walked inside his door, there was no going back. Even if she could, she’d
decided she wouldn’t. Formalities were irrelevant now.
    “Please, forgive me. I need to disappear into the kitchen for a
moment.”
    Upon his exit, she examined the tableware more closely. Fine
silver, delicate china and cut crystal lay before her. She was thoroughly
impressed. Simplistic yet stylish, he had good taste. The décor throughout the
house ran within the same boundaries of style. Everything was tastefully put
together, yet understated. In the middle of the table, an arrangement of roses
mixed with some greenery and freesia called to her. Tentatively, Eugenia
reached out, thumbing a rose petal between her thumb and forefinger.
    “You like flowers?”
    She looked up in surprise. He was quick. “Why, yes. I was
admiring the work that must have gone into this arrangement. I have a garden
that I cater to on a regular basis. I prefer to cut my own flowers, rather than
having them brought in. It’s a wondrous way to relax and unwind.”
    There are many ways to
unwind. As the words spun through her mind, she lowered her eyes to the
table.
    “I can think of more intriguing ways,” he replied, removing a
large silver platter from a trolley and placing it on the table.
    She blushed.
    “I hope you like good old traditional English fare.” Other dishes
and platters followed to deck the table. “Roast beef and all the trimmings.”
    “It smells delightful. My compliments to the cook.”
    “She’s been with me since I took the house over….”
    “Another one of your seizures?” she asked.
    A rift of silence cut between them.
    “A business acquisition,” he corrected. “However, it took a great
deal of remodeling to bring it up to par. The staff came with the house, and I
was happy to have them. They’re a hard working, respectable bunch.”
    “I do apologize. Sometimes I speak without thinking and it does
me a disservice every time.” Eugenia fiddled with the napkin on her lap.
    “I understand that you must be upset. And no doubt you hold some
ill feelings towards me. But you must remember, I didn’t lead you here—your
husband did.”
    He spoke the truth, the words cutting through her like a knife.
She had no one to blame but one man, and he was dead.
    “Yes.” Admittance was hard.
    His fingers slid over the palm of her right hand as he reached
across the table.
    “You deserve so much better.” His touch tickled ever so slightly,
his warmth running up through her arm as he curled his fingers to coddle her
hand. “You’re not eating?”
    “I’m not that hungry. I ate earlier. It would have aroused
suspicion with my own house staff if I didn’t.”
    “Then a drink? We could adjourn to more comfortable quarters.”
    She swallowed hard at his suggestion. “Yes. That’s a good idea.”
    One arm slid around her waist as they made their way from the
dining room. Together they glided upstairs. She felt faint, her heart racing
again. But this wasn’t the time to founder. Once inside his bedroom, she
relaxed, that was, until she felt his fingers cascade across the back of her
neck.
    “About that drink,” she said. “I’ll pass on it.”

     
    * * * *

     
    Perfumed, delicate and oh, so soft to the touch.
Cal
gingerly touched the
back of her neck as she stood with her back to him.
    A small gasp escaped her lips, and then she pressed hard against
him, melding to his body.
    Decorum, the constraints of proper society, it was all
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