Free Manor of Pleasure: An Erotic Historical Romance by Debra Sheridan Page A

Rebecca and whispered to her, "Your betrothal to Desmond becomes you, my dear."
    Rebecca unfolded her napkin and threw a sparkling glance towards her grandmother. "We have good news," Rebecca told her. "I hope it pleases you."
    The Countess directed her attention to Desmond across the table. "News again?" she uttered, "Desmond, your propensity for drama astounds me.”
    Mr. Baines obliged her. "The good news is that Rebecca and I have hastened our wedding plans. We will marry in four weeks' time." He looked to Rebecca and met her gaze. Her eyes were aglow.
    Lady Garway gasped. "You cannot be serious. Rebecca, that is impossible!"
    Rebecca smiled at Desmond. She was the very pith of calm and self-assurance. "Mother, at one time, I may have agreed with you. But Desmond has convinced me. We will not be swayed." She did not move her eyes from Desmond's gaze. She sensed a lovely ache in her depths.
    "I say this is wonderful news," said Lord Garway.
    "Yes, it is wonderful news," Mrs. Baines echoed. "And many hands make light work. It can be readied in four weeks easily." She looked to Lady Garway for agreement.
    "I suppose," Lady Garway said with a high degree of disfavor in her tone. "Why, Rebecca? June is the perfect month for a wedding. We might have hosted the reception in the garden." Her disappointment was tangible.
    "Mother, be grateful that we are not running off to marry in Scotland like Owen did," Rebecca said, laughing. "It doesn't bear further discussion. Our decision is made."
    "Yes, it is," Desmond concurred. He was happy to be seated directly across from Rebecca if he could not be beside her. He watched her as she chatted easily with his mother and her grandmother. She seemed to be the great facilitator between the two, a role that was not easily achieved.
    He marveled at the length of her neck, and the willowy elegance of her arms. The dinner candlelight played against her hair, her eyes and the luster of her skin.
    He wanted to touch her, to let his hands run along her throat, her shoulders, to feel the small curve of her back against his fingertips.
    He thought of their last evening together. Totally unclothed, her body was lush with pleasures and her surrender to him was transcendent. A hot swell of desire filled his core. As if on cue, Rebecca looked at him and smiled. He was powerless. He knew then he would do whatever necessary to have her tonight.
    "Don't you agree, Desmond?" Lady Louisa's voice broke into his reverie.
    He was reluctant to disembark from his train of thought but he answered her, "I am sorry, Lady Louisa. What were you saying?"
    "I was just saying to Mother how a church wedding would have so much more meaning than one here at the manor."
    "Rebecca and I haven't discussed it." He sipped from his wineglass.
    Louisa continued. "You do recall them, Desmond? You must agree. We really do have the loveliest chapels in the county." She added quietly, "Although perhaps in Rebecca's particular case, it would not be quite appropriate to be married in a church setting." She sipped her wine.
    "I beg your pardon?" Desmond turned to her.
    "Louisa!" her mother whispered to her harshly. "What are you saying?"
    "I only meant that Rebecca prefers to do things in such grand fashion. A wedding in small country chapel may not suit her at all." Lady Louisa allowed herself the faint hint of a smile.
    Desmond looked quickly to Rebecca to see if she had overheard their exchange. He was content to see that she was still animating the conversation between the two matriarchs.
    "I know very well your meaning, ma'am," Desmond told Louisa. "Such incivility doesn't suit you." He took another sip from his glass. He set himself to cutting his meat on the plate before him. "I know that you and Rebecca have a bitter relationship. I can't say that I understand it."
    "It's not your business, Desmond," Louisa replied coldly. "It is a wound that is old and deep."
    "But it is my business, Lady Louisa. Anything that affects her welfare