Free A Taste of Temptation by Amelia Grey Page B

get the story and print it so quickly?”
    “Gossip has wings like a bird. It flies, my dear.”
    “Did the column mention my name?”
    “No, no names in this issue, but that does not mean Lord Truefitt doesn’t know. And don’t even ask how he finds out about such things. All the writers of scandal sheets have their little spies at every party. It’s simply how Society works. Something this delicious couldn’t possibly be kept from the eyes and the ears of the ton . That would be unforgivable.”

    “You think that even if I’m the one being talked about?”
    Agatha sounded like she was enjoying this, but that couldn’t possibly be true.
    “The proper settlement can silence the sharpest of tongues when it comes to scandal.”
    Olivia cringed. She had allowed the earl to touch her and kiss her. And worst of all, she’d enjoyed it far more than she should have.
    “Now, there’s no reason to fret, Livy. I’ve sent a letter to your great uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, seeking his counsel.”
    “The Duke? He’s not really my uncle is he?”
    “Of course he is—by way of three or four marriages to be sure, but he’s still related to you.”
    “But why mention last night to him? I don’t understand.” Agatha reached down and picked up Olivia’s discarded embroidery and looked at it. “For one thing, he’s always been a favorite of the king as well as being in excellent standing with the prince. Lord Dugdale would know this.
    Besides, the duke would want to be consulted in this matter as you are a distant relative and without a close male guardian.”
    An unusual feeling of unease stole over Olivia. Confer-ring with the powerful duke seemed over the top for such an innocent—partially innocent—meeting with an earl.
    Was this really happening? All she had wanted to do was spare her aunt the stigma of being remembered as an old woman who had gone mad and searched houses for ghosts.
    “Besides all that, I’m eager to hear what Lord Dugdale has to say for himself,” her aunt added.
    Olivia was not one to run away from anything, but she didn’t want to be pushed into anything, either.

    Agatha looked up from the embroidery and said, “I’ve always said you do lovely work, Livy. You have an eye for color and design.”
    Olivia wasn’t going to be distracted. “Auntie, it’s time for us to quit this idea of finding a ghost and go back home.” Agatha laid the sewing aside and looked into Olivia’s eyes. “Last night changed everything, Livy. This is home now for both of us.”
    Her aunt’s words were far too final sounding for Olivia.
    They chilled her.
    “Excuse me, Miss Loudermilk,” the housekeeper said.
    “The Earl of Dugdale has arrived.”
    Olivia’s stomach tightened.
    “Right on time,” Agatha said with a satisfied smile.
    “Show him in, and then arrange for tea to be served.” Olivia watched the door as her aunt mumbled something more about their distant blood relationship to the Duke of Norfolk.
    The earl walked in and Olivia’s heart tumbled. His posture was straight but not rigid. His clothing was impeccable yet he appeared comfortable. On him, the tight, intricately tied neckcloth he wore seemed commonly casual. He looked even more impressive today than he had last night. Tall, powerful, commanding.
    It was madness the way her breath caught in her throat and her pulse raced at the sight of him.
    Their greetings were much more formal than seemed necessary after the events of last night. The earl purpose-fully looked directly into her eyes. She had the feeling he was trying to intimidate her, but the only thing his mag-netic stare managed to do was fascinate her.
    She didn’t know why, but she found everything about him exciting.

    “Is your solicitor joining us later?” Agatha asked.
    “No, I’m alone. Had I thought he was needed I would have contacted him. I feel sure that by the end of our meeting this afternoon you will have realized that Miss Banning was not compromised and