by Josie Litton
Moreover, the Headmistress was not alone; several members of the Old Guard were with her. Could they possibly be unaware of the position they were putting themselves in by siding with her? Or…an alternative possibility suddenly occurred to Gemma. Were they earning their way back into Charles’ good graces by delivering the headmistress to this masked gathering?
Dame Aurelia’s costume was a bold homage to the late Empress Victoria, whose moral uprightness and authority remained the standard by which every subsequent monarch was judged. She might have done better to choose Joan of Arc. At least then she could have worn armor.
Scarcely had she stepped into the salon than her escort dissolved into the crowd. As they did, Charles took a step closer to his wife. Grasping her hand, he squeezed it reassuring.
“Adrian arranged this at my request,” he murmured. “Lucius and Natalia were happy to assist. We all understand that a reckoning is due. A clear example must be made. But it must be done in a way that does not inflict further harm on those who have already suffered far too much.”
Gemma had only a moment to consider this before she noticed one of the gentleman standing closest to the entrance turn his back on the Headmistress. He was followed by another…and another… Nor was it only the gentlemen. One by one, almost all the ladies present did the same.
Until only a circle of masked women were left, closing around Dame Aurelia. Their identities were all well concealed; it was impossible to even guess who they were. The only common element among them was that each carried a sturdy cane. As one, they raised them.
The first blow struck the Headmistress on the shoulders. A multitude of others followed swiftly. The women did not utter a word. The silence in the room was broken only by Dame Aurelia’s screams of outrage that gave way quickly to terror as she realized that no one was coming to her aid. She had been cut out, separated from the safety of the pack, left to those who had the greatest possible reason to see her suffer as they had at her hands.
As the blows kept coming, she staggered and turned. Her path to the door had been deliberately left clear. Only just managing to keep on her feet, she fled through it. Into the arms of the gentlemen from Whitehall who were waiting for her.
What was it Charles had said? There are places where those who forget their duty to the Crown are given a lifetime to regret it.
Gemma was still staring after her in shock when the music struck up again. Conversations resumed as though they had never been interrupted. Within minutes, laughter and gaiety reigned over all. All around her, Society’s version of normalcy settled comfortably back into place.
It was more than a little overwhelming.
“We don’t have to stay,” Charles said quietly. “Everyone will understand and besides, I have a surprise waiting for you at home.”
As grateful as she was for his understanding, Gemma insisted on remaining long enough to thank their host and hostesses, as well as exchange a few quiet words with their other friends. The courtesies aside, she needed the time to get control of the trembling that had seized her, a combination of both shock and intense relief. Once that was done, she was happy enough to slip away.
Stepping into the entry hall of the London house, she was thinking only of getting out of all those layers of silk and satin and into a hot bath when a slim young figure suddenly hurtled itself across the room and seized her in a fierce hug.
“Gemma! You’re back at last! Where have you been? We arrived an hour or more ago! It’s so thrilling to be here! Charles says I’m to live with you now until I go to school, a real school, university or whatever I want. And did you know, Mother and Father have gone to Barbados. They’re going to live there for good! Tillie has bought their house. Isn’t that amazing? Antonio is going to redo it all except for the gardens, of course. Those are hers forever now. Oh! What is that you’re wearing? It’s lovely! Have you been to a costume party? Was it fun?”
Feeling as though she had been caught in a whirlwind, Gemma stared into the face of the sweet little sister from whom she had been parted far too long. Guileless blue eyes, a dear little pug nose, a mouth made for smiling…
“Cerise…! You’re here! You’re…”
“Of course, I am, silly, I just said as much. Charles is absolutely marvelous, by the way. Do you have another of him? I know I’m only fourteen but it doesn’t hurt to think ahead. Not that I’m in any rush, of course. University first, absolutely. And you must come, too! You’ve always wanted that and Charles says--”
“I think we should let her take a breath,” the Marquess said gently. Smiling broadly, he drew his astonished wife to his side. Bending his head close to hers, he murmured, “Good surprise?”
Of course, she assured him that it was the best imaginable even as she wept tears of joy and relief that he kissed away when they were alone. Cerise had gone off happily in the company of Mrs. Harkness and Fiona. The house was quiet once again, for the moment.
Lying in her husband’s arms, Gemma reflected that it was not likely to remain so. Cerise would see to that all on her own but she would hardly be alone. There would be children and more. That great-grand-daughter she planned to shock was waiting out there in the future that she and Charles would make together.
After all the tumultuous events of recent days, she saw no reason not to begin working on that immediately. Her hand inched beneath the sheet. A low, masculine chuckle encouraged her to go a good deal farther.
With the greatest of pleasure, the most fortunate Marquess succumbed to the temptation that would be always and forever his beloved wife.
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Sneak Peeks
TEMPTING GEMMA is part of my Austen series. Continue reading for a sneak peek at other books in that series.
His Lordship’s Downfall
With profound apologies to Jane Austen, who through no fault of her own inspired this tale of dark contemporary romance. Although M/F, monogamous and HEA, this story is far more explicit than any I’ve written before. Sexual exploitation, casual misogyny, brazen revenge, graphic language including frequent appearances of the c- word, and the use of unconventional devices for intimate purposes are only a few of its many sins. Read solely at your own discretion.
Lord Adrian Burleigh is a handsome, autocratic aristocrat with a taste for excess. In his world--where a modern-day British Empire still rules most of the globe--there are no limits for a man of such wealth and power. His privileged life is comfortable, controlled and predictable. Until, that is, he decides to acquire a “pet”.
Early on, the reader is likely to conceive a desire to do terrible things to Lord Adrian despite--or because of--his wicked appeal. Rest assured, the arrogant lord will receive his just deserts. Of course, because this is a romance, he will be the better man for it.
Read a preview of HIS LORDSHIP’S DOWNFALL here
Tales of the Odalisque
Welcome to the Odalisque, the world’s most exclusive club intime. Kindly leave your inhibitions at the door (clothing is optional). If this is your first visit, a few words of explanation may be in order. The tall, lithely muscular and all-around stunningly handsome man lounging at the bar is the club’s founder and owner, Lucius Belmont. “Lus
cious Lucius” some call him. Others are more inclined to mutter about his resemblance to Lucifer. A word to the wise, enjoy your visit but do nothing to vex him. Especially not now.
Lucius is pre-occupied with a problem unlike any he has encountered before. That rarest of creatures--a virgin--has wandered into his circle of debauchery. Natalia Bollinger is everything she should not be--exquisitely beautiful, unbearably arousing, and uncannily able to penetrate all his hard-won defenses. But Natalia is guarding secrets of her own that will pit her against Lucius in an epic showdown of vice versus virtue. Before your visit is over, limits will be tested, lines will be crossed, and all the rules will be broken. Take a seat. The show is about to begin!
Although inspired by my earlier work, “His Lordship’s Downfall”, also available on Amazon, “Tales of the Odalisque” is a standalone novel with no cliffhanger. You need not have read “His Lordship’s Downfall” to enjoy this story but of course, I hope that you will do so. Please be aware that while this story is M/F, monogamous and HEA, it contains explicit sexual scenes that some may find disturbing. Read at your own discretion.
Read a preview of TALES OF THE ODALISQUE here
I also write a dark romance series that you may enjoy. Continue reading for a sneak peek at CHOSEN:
Chosen
My name is Grace Delaney. I was born into this country’s most admired political family. When I was sixteen, the media dubbed me “America’s Princess”. I hate being called that, all the more so since I discovered the terrifying secret hidden behind my family’s glittering public image.
A few months ago, I graduated from college determined to make a life of my own. But now, suddenly, Adam Falzon is in it. The head of an old-world family with a reputation for ruthlessness, he looks like a fallen angel. As attracted as I am to him, I’ve come to suspect that Adam is hiding secrets of his own more deadly and dangerous than I ever want to know. I don’t dare give into my feelings for him.
But I may not have a choice. With every beat of my heart, he is drawing me further into a web of dark desire. My chances of escaping are slipping away. Worse yet, I’m no longer sure that I want to.
Read a preview of CHOSEN here
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
Copyright 2018 Josie Litton. All rights reserved.
TEMPTING GEMMA: PART NINE
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