Free A Taste of Temptation by Amelia Grey Page A

maybe she’d stop searching for a man who died over thirty years ago. “You are looking wonderful, Auntie. I’m sorry to have kept you away so long from the life you loved.”
    Agatha’s eyes widened then narrowed and softened just as suddenly.
    She stepped closer to Olivia. “Never say such nonsense again, Livy. You didn’t take me away from anything. I left London because I wanted to take care of you. I was sad for you losing your mother but happy for myself that your father didn’t want you. I knew I would never have children of my own, so you were a welcome gift to me.” Olivia’s love for her aunt grew. She smiled at Agatha and nodded. “Thank you, Auntie.”
    “I have loved you as if you were my own daughter and I always will.”
    Olivia’s heart melted. She hugged Agatha’s thin frame affectionately.
    “I’ve never regretted a moment I spent in your father’s house, but I am pleased to be back in London Society with all its parties, its fame, and its secrets, but that said, I wouldn’t be happy if you weren’t here with me. The parties have been grand, don’t you think? And now there’s a little excitement going on, a little taste of scandal in the air. It’s just like the old days.”
    Olivia was incredulous.
    “But the scandal is about me, Auntie. How can you be excited about that?”
    “Oh, Livy, scandal can be a good thing as long as it is dealt with properly in the end.” Agatha smiled triumphantly.
    “And I assure you this scandal will be.”
    “How? I’m unsettled about last evening. And I can’t understand why you aren’t outraged that I wasn’t more careful in my chance meeting with Lord Dugdale.”
    “There’s no reason to be. At my age, Livy, few things upset me and even less outrages me. The damage was done once you were seen with him in his room. The only thing left to do is handle it. And I shall.” The way Olivia wanted it dealt with was to return to Kent, find a nice man like Mr. Yost to marry, and live a quiet life. She didn’t want to be plagued with remembrances of mint scented soap, whispered words, and stirring kisses.
    “But you know I was in there looking for Lord Pinkwater’s ghost.”
    “It doesn’t matter if all Society knows. The reason behind the two of you being in there at the same time is not important. How it’s settled is. I received a correspondence from Lord Dugdale this morning. He was very prompt. He will be calling on us within minutes.” Olivia’s stomach felt as if it rolled over. It was an odd feeling; she wanted to see him and she didn’t.
    “Why are you forcing him to come over, Auntie? I really wish you wouldn’t.”
    “What an odd thing to say. He’s a gentleman. He must.”
    “But I would very much like to forget that I ever stepped foot in his bedchamber last night. In fact, I should be happy never to see him or the inside of his house again.”
    “You will see him. I immediately sent a note back to him saying we would be expecting him. I have no doubt that everything will be worked out perfectly.”
    “But what is there to work out? I want nothing to do with the earl.”
    His kisses made her feel too many things she didn’t want to feel for a titled man with a rogue’s reputation.
    “That’s not a solution. Let me take care of this, Livy. I have a bit more experience dealing with the rules of Society than you do. I knew I shouldn’t have let you search the house for Lord Pinkwater’s ghost. I blame myself for this and I have every intentions of making things right for you.”
    “Lady Lynette is such a nice lady, I don’t think she would breathe a word to anyone. Maybe you could persuade the Lord Mayor’s wife not to say anything about what she saw?”
    “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. The afternoon edition of the Daily Reader was delivered to my room just before I came down. Lord Truefitt’s column has already published that a young lady was seen in Lord Dugdale’s bedchamber.”
    “What? How did they