Free Antonia's Bargain by Kate Pearce

lie in
    other directions.”
    Gideon stared over his father’s shoulder as Antonia came into view. She was
    smiling at her cousin, her face flushed with animation. He remembered the taste of her
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    sex and the way she’d clung to him while taking her pleasure. Was his father
    suggesting he knew what Gideon wanted? Since Antonia’s arrival, Gideon wasn’t sure
    he knew himself anymore.
    “I couldn’t do that to any woman, Father. Treat her like a broodmare. The end
    result would be the same. She’d grow bored and seek her pleasures elsewhere. I refuse
    to live through that nightmare again.”
    The viscount slapped him on the back “Find a woman who understands you, then.
    Find a woman like Gervase did who loves you for what you are, not for what you can
    bring her.”
    Gideon managed a smile. “Does such a paragon exist?”
    “Well, Gervase obviously thinks so.” The viscount frowned. “On the other hand,
    you might be surprised at what a woman is prepared to put up with to get a wedding
    ring on her finger. Choose a girl who will be too grateful to be married to care where
    you spend your nights.”
    On that less than helpful note, the viscount bowed and retreated to the card room.
    Gideon let out a breath. It was unlike his father to share a confidence with him. Their
    relationship had always been combative. Was the viscount getting soft or was his
    obsessive desire to have a grandson changing his staunch autocratic views?
    “A penny for your thoughts, Harcourt.”
    Gideon turned to find his old friend Peter Howard at his elbow. Peter was one of
    the very few men he trusted with all aspects of his life. He had been the first to help
    Gideon carry his wife upstairs after her very public suicide and had, to Gideon’s
    knowledge, never gossiped about that night to anyone.
    “My thoughts are scarcely worth a penny.” Gideon grimaced. “Family can be hell
    sometimes.”
    “I wouldn’t know about that. I’m an orphan.” Peter said. “The only family I claim
    are the Sokorvskys.”
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    Gideon studied his friend’s angelic expression. It was always difficult to know what
    Peter was thinking. His past had enabled him to remove all traces of emotion from his
    face. Gideon knew that as children, Peter and Valentin Sokorvsky had shared a hellish
    ten years as Turkish slaves. Perhaps that experience was more than enough to teach a
    man to control his every thought. Peter’s outward serenity always reminded Gideon of
    a painted Renaissance saint.
    Few people knew that beneath Peter’s calm exterior lay a complex and deeply loyal
    man. Gideon had seen him with the Sokorvskys at Madame Desiree’s on more than one
    occasion and had reason to know that Peter’s sexual appetite was as individual as his
    own. Peter continued to study him, his gaze steady, no apology for whatever
    conclusions he saw being drawn in Gideon’s eyes.
    “Is Gervase still away?”
    “He is.” Gideon half smiled. “I miss him like the devil.”
    “I can understand that. The Sokorvskys are in Russia at the moment. I find myself
    with nothing to do.”
    They stared at each other in perfect understanding. Antonia whirled past Gideon in
    the arms of her dance partner. He was so close he could have touched her. Her unique
    lavender scent lingered in his nostrils, making him instantly hard. Gideon touched
    Peter’s arm.
    “I am bored with the ton . Would you like to spend the rest of the evening with me
    at Madame Desiree’s?”
    Two hours later, Gideon had drunk most of a bottle of brandy and lounged in front
    of the fire. Peter lay beside him. They had both removed their coats, waistcoats and
    cravats.
    “Is your father pressing you to marry again?”
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    Gideon toasted him with his glass. “Is it that obvious? He wants grandchildren and
    I am supposed to provide them for him within the year.”
    “After Caroline, I can understand why you are reluctant.”
    Gideon held his gaze.