Impossible Desires (novella) by Tamsin Baker Page B

following evening, Gareth stood at the edge of another ballroom, willing Eleanor over to him. He watched as she flirted with an older Marquis and a younger Viscount. Why was she bothering with either of them? Those gentlemen both needed to marry wealthy virgins.
    “I see that Lady Rossette has found the Viscount. She had been asking about him.”
    Gareth heard his best friend’s voice and cringed. He didn’t want to talk to anyone. He wanted to watch Eleanor.
    Clenching his stomach to quell the urge to push his friend away, he turned and smiled.
    “Patrick.” He extended his hand to his handsome friend. “You know Lady Rossette?”
    Patrick smiled and raised an eyebrow.
    “Yes, though only briefly. She spoke to me earlier tonight. Quite a striking woman.”
    Gareth watched his friend stare at Eleanor for a little longer than he should have. He clenched and unclenched his fists against the need for violence. What was wrong with him tonight?
    “She is. I met her last night, but know nothing about her.” Gareth changed the tone of his voice to indicate his interest, hoping his gossipy best friend would pick up on it.
    Patrick smiled a cat-that-ate-the-canary smile and took a slow sip of his whiskey.
    “She is looking to marry, and I hear she will have nothing to do with anyone who wants otherwise.”
    He nodded. This information should hasten his disinterest. Instead, the hunter in him awoke from a long sleep, stretched his arms above his head, and picked up his bow and arrow. It was time for action.
    “She has no dowry?”
    His friend laughed heartily and drank again.
    Several people turned to look at them. Boisterous behavior was not tolerated in London ballrooms. Perhaps they should move to the card room?
    “She has more money than I, my friend. She doesn’t need to marry.”
    Gareth turned to stare at the lady who so intrigued him, surprise written on his face at that exact moment she looked up and stared directly back at him.
    Eleanor felt her belly quiver and heat pool between her legs. Gareth Osborne was indescribable. He was classically beautiful, it was true, but that wasn’t what attracted her. He was power, he was control, and he was going to be hers.
    She needed someone who could awaken the passion that grew inside of her. Like a wild rose, it demanded to thrive. She had wilted and almost died in her previous marriage, due to neglect and abuse. She refused to allow that to happen again.
    Eleanor would choose wisely, and she would get what she needed. She would be loved and she would be Mistress. She just needed to be clever about it.
    “Would you join me for a walk around the gardens, my lady?” the young Viscount enquired with only the slightest glance at her décolletage.
    Eleanor smiled in acceptance and took the offered arm. The man was a dandy but otherwise harmless. She would use him to take her to Gareth.
    “I would prefer a walk on the balcony if you do not mind, my lord. I have a small headache.”
    She pressed her fingers to her temples and hid a smile when the Viscount agreed. He was a nice man, a true gentleman. If she needed that, then he would be perfect. But she had need for someone, and something, so much more.
    “Are you staying in London for the Off Season, my lady?” the Viscount enquired with a raised eyebrow.
    Eleanor laughed. Not if she could help it.
    “I do not flourish well in London I am afraid, my lord.”
    “That is a pity, because London looks well on you.”
    She smiled at his compliment but all she wanted was more moments alone with her chosen partner. How to achieve that?
    “Thank you for bringing me into the night air, my lord. Would you be so kind as to fetch me a glass of punch?”Eleanor smiled as prettily as possible and watched the Viscount’s face crumple. The punch was on the other side of the ballroom.
    But good manners dictated that he retrieve it for her and being a widow, Eleanor was free to be alone.
    “Of course, my lady.”
    She watched the young