to
make that choice if you so desire it.”
I nodded and he passed another heavier package across the desk to me. “I have
made arrangements for you to reside at this cottage on my estate near Brighton. All the
men on your list will come and visit with you, at your invitation, over the summer.
Perhaps by Christmas you will have made your decision?”
I stowed the bulky papers away in my reticule and knew that when I left Harcourt
House I would be escorted with considerable speed and every luxury to my new home.
I drew in a hard-won breath.
“I don’t think I can face Gervase again.” I tried to laugh but my voice shook. “How
can I ask him if he wishes to marry me and then decline his offer all in one breath? Can
you give him my apologies?”
The viscount bowed. “Of course. I would not expect you to deliver such news in
person.”
I got to my feet, suddenly desperate to be away from all the Harcourts and their
compelling charm. When I reached the door, the viscount asked, “You love him, don’t
you?”
I turned to face him. “Yes, too much to saddle him with a barren wife.”
He released his breath with a gentle sigh. “Godspeed then, Eden, and thank you for
your understanding.”
77
Kate Pearce
I stepped out into the brightness of Hanover Square and made my way to the
discreet closed carriage that awaited me. I smiled at the footman who assisted me into
the carriage and slammed the door. A sharp pain under my ribs made me breathless
and I had to suck in great gulps of air. I wrapped my arms around myself and allowed
the sway of the carriage to rock me. Tears came and my heart shattered into a thousand
pieces as I drew further and further away from Gervase.
78
Eden’s Pleasure
Chapter Eight
I swore in an extremely unladylike manner as a closed carriage swept past and
doused me in filthy, muddy rainwater. Two months had passed since my flight from
London. I glared up at the sky. It was supposed to be summer. The changeable weather
suited my troubled mind. When I set out to walk to the vicarage the weather was mild
and the skies clear. Now, as the heavens opened, I regretted not accepting the vicar’s
offer of a ride home in his carriage. At the time it had seemed pointless to expect him to
harness his horses for a journey of less than ten minutes. Now as sullen rain filled
clouds gathered in ever darkening ranks, I hurried to find my way home.
At last, I ran up my flower-lined path, head lowered against the buffeting wind and
straight into the hall calling for my maid. There was no reply as I shook out my sodden
cloak and kicked my ruined kid slippers aside. A welcome light in the best parlor
beckoned me through the darkness. I entered the room and struggled with the ties of
my bonnet.
My fingers stilled on the doorknob as I took in a pair of muddy army boots planted
on my hearth. I slowly looked upwards. Gervase stood with his back to the small fire
absorbing all the heat. In the confines of my thatched cottage, his rain-dampened hair
brushed the oak beams that crossed the white plastered ceiling.
“I sent your maid home.”
I could only stare at him like a simpleton as I tried to see his face from beneath my
dripping bonnet. He looked desperately tired. Shadows made harsh purple streaks
under his eyes and he was unshaven. My fingers itched to smooth the furrowed lines
from his brow. I remained frozen to the spot.
With a final tug, the ribbons of my bonnet snapped. I pulled the sodden confection
from my head and looked around the neat, well-ordered room for a place to deposit it.
79
Kate Pearce
Gervase seemed to have taken up all the space and all the available air. I took two hasty
steps backwards.
“I will go and make some tea.” I gestured to my bonnet. “And find somewhere to
hang this. Excuse me for a moment.”
I escaped into the kitchen where my maid, Katie, had left a good fire burning. My
teeth chattered as I struggled to locate the teapot
make that choice if you so desire it.”
I nodded and he passed another heavier package across the desk to me. “I have
made arrangements for you to reside at this cottage on my estate near Brighton. All the
men on your list will come and visit with you, at your invitation, over the summer.
Perhaps by Christmas you will have made your decision?”
I stowed the bulky papers away in my reticule and knew that when I left Harcourt
House I would be escorted with considerable speed and every luxury to my new home.
I drew in a hard-won breath.
“I don’t think I can face Gervase again.” I tried to laugh but my voice shook. “How
can I ask him if he wishes to marry me and then decline his offer all in one breath? Can
you give him my apologies?”
The viscount bowed. “Of course. I would not expect you to deliver such news in
person.”
I got to my feet, suddenly desperate to be away from all the Harcourts and their
compelling charm. When I reached the door, the viscount asked, “You love him, don’t
you?”
I turned to face him. “Yes, too much to saddle him with a barren wife.”
He released his breath with a gentle sigh. “Godspeed then, Eden, and thank you for
your understanding.”
77
Kate Pearce
I stepped out into the brightness of Hanover Square and made my way to the
discreet closed carriage that awaited me. I smiled at the footman who assisted me into
the carriage and slammed the door. A sharp pain under my ribs made me breathless
and I had to suck in great gulps of air. I wrapped my arms around myself and allowed
the sway of the carriage to rock me. Tears came and my heart shattered into a thousand
pieces as I drew further and further away from Gervase.
78
Eden’s Pleasure
Chapter Eight
I swore in an extremely unladylike manner as a closed carriage swept past and
doused me in filthy, muddy rainwater. Two months had passed since my flight from
London. I glared up at the sky. It was supposed to be summer. The changeable weather
suited my troubled mind. When I set out to walk to the vicarage the weather was mild
and the skies clear. Now, as the heavens opened, I regretted not accepting the vicar’s
offer of a ride home in his carriage. At the time it had seemed pointless to expect him to
harness his horses for a journey of less than ten minutes. Now as sullen rain filled
clouds gathered in ever darkening ranks, I hurried to find my way home.
At last, I ran up my flower-lined path, head lowered against the buffeting wind and
straight into the hall calling for my maid. There was no reply as I shook out my sodden
cloak and kicked my ruined kid slippers aside. A welcome light in the best parlor
beckoned me through the darkness. I entered the room and struggled with the ties of
my bonnet.
My fingers stilled on the doorknob as I took in a pair of muddy army boots planted
on my hearth. I slowly looked upwards. Gervase stood with his back to the small fire
absorbing all the heat. In the confines of my thatched cottage, his rain-dampened hair
brushed the oak beams that crossed the white plastered ceiling.
“I sent your maid home.”
I could only stare at him like a simpleton as I tried to see his face from beneath my
dripping bonnet. He looked desperately tired. Shadows made harsh purple streaks
under his eyes and he was unshaven. My fingers itched to smooth the furrowed lines
from his brow. I remained frozen to the spot.
With a final tug, the ribbons of my bonnet snapped. I pulled the sodden confection
from my head and looked around the neat, well-ordered room for a place to deposit it.
79
Kate Pearce
Gervase seemed to have taken up all the space and all the available air. I took two hasty
steps backwards.
“I will go and make some tea.” I gestured to my bonnet. “And find somewhere to
hang this. Excuse me for a moment.”
I escaped into the kitchen where my maid, Katie, had left a good fire burning. My
teeth chattered as I struggled to locate the teapot
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