Free The Desires of a Countess by Jenna Petersen Page A

and hoped he
couldn’t see what an enormous effect he had on her. “I’ll admit my
time since Henry’s death has been difficult-”
    He nodded as he edged a bit closer.
“That’s exactly what I mean. I never should have gone so far. I
hope you can forgive that and perhaps we can try to be…
friends?”
    She looked up into his sea blue eyes.
There was nothing disingenuous about his offer, even if she did
still see his need flickering there. It made her feel all the worse
that she still didn’t want his presence in her home. There were
secrets he couldn’t discover and control she couldn’t
relinquish.
    “ We’ll see.”
    With a nod, she slipped from the
cottage and hurried down the path toward the main house. Once she
could see he wasn’t going to follow her, she slowed her pace to
think.
    No matter what she’d thought of the
man at first blush, now she had to admire his sense of honor and
responsibility. Unfortunately, those were the very things she would
be forced to use against him. Because if she allowed him to get too
close, he would undoubtedly find out the truth about the events of
the night Henry died.
    And if that happened, she could lose
everything.
    ***
    “I really must object to this entire idea, once
again.”
    Ginny glared at Harriet over the edge
of her teacup before she smiled and waved across the veranda at
Jack and his nanny. “Look at him. What other choice do I have? If
Simon uncovers the truth, I could lose my son. I could lose
everything I have. He has to go before he gets too
close.”
    Harriet shook her head as she waved
her maid away. “But if you now realize he has honor, that’s a
reason to trust him, not use
that against him.”
    Ginny shut her eyes with a sigh. Why
did Harriet have to voice her very own thoughts? The ones that made
her hot with shame. “Honor is all well and good, but it’s
fleeting.”
    “ Not true honor.”
    Ginny looked out over Harriet’s small
estate with eyes that barely saw the beautiful lawn and small rose
garden her friend insisted on tending herself.
    “ Henry was considered a man
of honor by his peers. But the first time I felt the back of his
hand against my cheek, I realized honor is something men use or
not, as it suits them. Why shouldn’t I have some of that privilege
for myself if it will save me or my child?”
    Harriet pursed her lips as her eyes
filled with tears. “Oh, you’ve been so hurt for so long. I hate how
bitter it’s made you. I want you to be happy, but I fear you’re
doing yourself more harm than good with the way you’re handling the
situation with Simon Webber.”
    Ginny ignored the continuing sting of
truth that accompanied each and every one of her friend’s words and
instead hardened her face and her heart. “I am not bitter, I’m
clever.”
    She pushed her plate away and stood up
to pace to the veranda wall.
    “ Listen to what you’re
saying and tell me if it doesn’t sound like bitterness.” Harriet
crossed to her side and grabbed both Ginny’s hands. Her friend
wouldn’t let her pull away when she tried. “This man is honorable,
he’s kind, and he admits he desires you. In response to all those
things, you plot against him. You’re trying to find a way to use
his desire, and your own, to push him away.”
    Ginny frowned as she ducked her
friend’s stare. The truth of the words collided with her own fears,
but the fears were stronger. She’d learned from experience that
only she could protect herself, not depend on family or friends or
even the man who made her so weak, to help her.
    She slowly extracted herself from
Harriet’s grip. “I’m sorry you won’t help me, but I hope you won’t
do anything to hinder me, either.”
    With a purse of her lips, Harriet
shook her head. “I’d never do anything to cause you
pain.”
    Ginny wrinkled her brow. That wasn’t
exactly the promise she’d hoped for, but considering the
circumstances, it was probably the best she would get. Harriet was
torn by