Free Intimate Betrayal by Adrienne Basso Page A

trying to prepare suitable bedchambers for everyone. Caroline graciously insisted she and her sister would be perfectly fine sharing a room. Alyssa decided to give them her bedchamber. She would move a small bed into Mavis’s room for herself, remove her few personal belongings, and have fresh linens put on the bed. The room would be acceptable.
    The duke could stay in the master suite, as he had on his first visit. With some basic housekeeping and fresh sheets, the room could be made ready for him. That left Tristan. The remaining four bedrooms in the east wing were a sorry lot at best. They were all in various stages of disrepair. In one room the fireplace smoked badly; in another there was no bed. The third room contained the best furniture—it even had a rug—but the mattress was a disgrace and the drapes smelled of mildew. The fourth room was the barest, but had the basics and boasted a comfortable bed. Alyssa decided on the fourth room for Tristan, choosing comfort over furnishings. Tristan had admirably demonstrated his good humor and easygoing charm. She doubted he would complain about his less than luxurious bedchamber.
    After the rooms were finally prepared, Alyssa instructed Perkins to show everyone to their respective rooms so they could change for dinner. Next she went to the small servants’ wing off the kitchen to make arrangements for the duke’s coachman and footman. She took Lucy with her and left Molly with Caroline and Lady Ogden to assist the two gentlewomen as best she was able.
    In the kitchen, Alyssa consulted with Mrs. Stratton about the dinner menu before proceeding to Mavis’s bedchamber to freshen up before the evening meal. The duke had insisted she join them for dinner, and Alyssa had been unable to refuse.
    Alyssa met Morgan accidentally outside the salon doors. Morgan skillfully smoothed over the awkward moment with a gracious greeting, and her heart began pounding erratically at the sight of him in his formal black silk evening clothes. They entered the room together, but Alyssa was no longer listening to the duke’s comments about the weather. She was staring openmouthed at Tristan and Caroline. They were standing in front of the fireplace, locked in a heated, passionate embrace.
    Tristan was holding Caroline tightly against his body while nibbling down the side of her neck to the hollow of her throat. Caroline’s arms were wrapped tightly around Tristan’s shoulders, and she was standing up on her toes to give him easier access to her body.
    Tristan’s hands delicately cupped her breasts, rubbing against the soft curves as he moved up to take her lips in a seductive kiss. Caroline responded with a soft moan and pressed herself even closer to him.
    Alyssa felt herself flush with a yearning she couldn’t name. A tightness gripped her throat as she envisioned herself locked in a similar embrace with Morgan.
    The duke gave a loud cough, bringing Tristan’s head up. Still holding Caroline tightly against his lean body, Tristan turned his eyes toward the sound. “Morgan, Lady Alyssa, good evening,” he said in a cursory voice.
    “Good evening, Tristan,” Morgan answered casually, clearly implying he was taking no notice of the ardent scene he and Alyssa had just interrupted. “Would you and Caroline care for a glass of sherry before dinner?” Morgan walked to the satinwood table where the wine stood and began filling glasses.
    “Sherry would be just the thing,” Tristan said. “I’m sure Caroline would enjoy some.” He answered for his fiancee, who had her face hidden in his shoulder and apparently was trying to compose herself.
    At first embarrassed to be caught in such a compromising position, Caroline had tried to pull away from her betrothed. Tristan had held on to her, his strong arms never relaxing their grip. So she waited, knowing Tris would release her when he was ready. Not that she wanted him to let her go. She loved him with a passion that frightened her sometimes