Free A Taste of Temptation by Amelia Grey

wanted to stay at the party. She didn’t like the feeling that she was running away or hiding from him or anyone else. But Agatha wouldn’t hear of remaining. She insisted that leaving was the proper thing to do.

    In the carriage on the way home Olivia had expected to get a stern dressing down and to be questioned at length about being caught with Lord Dugdale in his room, but the only thing Agatha had been interested in was whether or not Olivia had seen or sensed any signs that Lord Pinkwater’s ghost might be present.
    Clearly there were times her aunt wasn’t in her right mind, and that worried Olivia.
    Agatha told her that everything with Lord Dugdale would be satisfactorily worked out later. She insisted that finding Lord Pinkwater would be the bigger challenge.
    The gloomy day had given Olivia too much time on her hands to think about her intimate encounter with Lord Dugdale and his lingering kisses. She’d been kissed once by a young suitor—if their light touching of lips could be called kissing when compared to the way Lord Dugdale had manipulated his lips across hers.
    Her stomach quickened deliciously just thinking about the way the earl had made her feel. But when that young man had given her her first kiss, she hadn’t felt struck by lightning as she had when the earl’s warm mouth covered hers.
    She didn’t understand it but knew she couldn’t imagine not ever feeling that wonderful sensation again.
    Suddenly Olivia’s breath caught in her throat.
    Was it possible that’s why her mother had been so attracted to Olivia’s rogue father and why her aunt continued to pine after Lord Pinkwater? Had her mother and Agatha felt the same stirrings from those men as she had felt when Lord Dugdale kissed her?
    She shook her head to clear away the silly notions and continued her stroll. So much for not wanting to think about the handsome earl. If sewing, reading, and studying lovely objects didn’t keep her mind off Lord Dugdale, what would?
    She must find something to occupy her thoughts while she waited for her aunt.
    “Good afternoon, Livy.”
    Olivia spun and saw Agatha floating into the parlor looking like a streak of sunshine in a yellow-sprigged dress that flattered her aunt’s tall, slender figure.
    “Auntie,” she said almost breathless, “why have you taken so long coming down? I’ve been waiting all day to talk to you.”
    Keeping a smile on her face and the sparkle in her eyes Agatha said, “What kind of morning greeting is that?”
    “It’s not morning. It’s past two in the afternoon. I’ve been up for hours wanting to talk to you.” Olivia could have added that she hadn’t slept more than a wink or two but Agatha looked so cheerful that Olivia didn’t have the heart to say anything that might make her feel bad.
    “Oh, my dear, I am sorry about that, but I was resting so well I simply lingered over my chocolate and toast and then I had other things to do.”
    Concern crept inside Olivia. “You aren’t feeling ill again, are you?”
    “Heaven’s angels, no. I’m in the pink. After I rose and dressed I had too many things to do before I could come down. I had invitations to respond to and I had several correspondences to write. Oh, Livy, I feel like I’m home again. I’ve missed London and I’m enjoying every moment of being here.”
    Concern turned to confusion. Agatha’s behavior had been so irrational of late. Olivia wouldn’t have been surprised if her aunt had taken to her sick bed over the incident in Lord Dugdale’s chambers last night, but she didn’t seem the least upset about it.
    That worried Olivia.
    “I didn’t realize you had missed living in the city so much.”
    Agatha laughed softly. “Neither did I, but I think I’m coming alive again for the first time in years. I’ve stepped right back into Society as if I’d just left yesterday. It’s a splendid feeling.”
    A bit of hope sprang up in Olivia. If her aunt felt as if she were coming alive again