La Flamme (Historical Romance) Read Online Free

to see. Had I wanted my father, I would not have come to your salon, madame, since one never finds the two of you together."
    Eugenia's hands tightened, and she ached to slap the polite condescension off his face. "Everyone knows that Bertram is no husband to me. He's an old man, sick and dying."
    Stephen ignored her affront to his father—he had heard this all before. "I hope that you will excuse my travel dust," he said, indicating his mud-spattered clothing, "but I hastened so that I could be the first to tell you that Garreth has wed and is safe from your wiles." With satisfaction, he watched Eugenia's face pale.
    "You lie!" she cried, coming to her feet. "Garreth loves me, I tell you, ME!"
    Stephen was unmoved by her histrionics. "I don't think what Garreth feels for you is love, Eugenia. He loves what he thinks you are. Pity he cannot know your true character."
    "How self-righteous you are. Why should you care that Garreth loves me?" Eugenia asked pointedly. Her eyes were full of contempt. "Your father doesn't care."
    Stephen shrugged. "My father knew the kind of woman you were when he married you. He wanted you as an adornment on his arm, and you've been that. If he has no complaint in the way you comport yourself, then neither do I. But I blame myself that Garreth has fallen into your little trap since he met you through me."
    "Garreth is the love of my life. Nothing you can say will stop his loving me."
    Stephen looked incredulous. "Did you tell him about Lord Havisham and Lord Early, Eugenia? Or how about Daniel Goodman? I believe that Goodman was a butcher by trade, but that didn't keep him out of your bed, did it?"
    "You beast! Garreth would love me no matter what I did in the past."
    Stephen smiled slightly. "Then why don't you tell him about the night three years ago? As I recall, I was sixteen at the time."
    Grimly, she waited, knowing what Stephen was going to say. Until now, neither of them had spoken of that night.
    "Father unexpectedly became ill at your twenty-seventh birthday party, so the guests left early," Stephen continued. "That was the night 1 became disenchanted with you, Eugenia—the night you tried to climb into my bed. You had been married to my father for less than a year." He was thoughtful for a moment. "Was it boredom that brought you to my bedchamber that night? You were no longer the loving stepmother after I refused you—were you, Eugenia?"
    "You dare say this to me!" she shrieked, running at Stephen and scratching at his face. "You were just a boy with no experience—why would I have wanted you?"
    Stephen grabbed her wrists, restraining her. "This is the real you, Eugenia. If only Garreth could see you now."
    There were voices coming from the entryway and Eugenia could hear Garreth speaking to the butler.
    "Stephen," she warned, "if you say anything to—"
    "I won't have to tell him, Eugenia. Unless I am mistaken, Garreth has come to do the honorable thing and bid you adieu. But then you wouldn't understand about honor, would you, Stepmother?"
    Garreth entered the room and when he saw Stephen, he paused, looking from Eugenia to his friend.
    Eugenia shot her stepson a triumphant look before going forward to greet her visitor. "You need not pretend
    ,^24      CONSTANCE O'BANYON
    with Stephen, Garreth. He knows about us, and has for a longtime."
    "Leave us alone, will you, Stephen?" Garreth asked, hoping Stephen would understand. "I'll have a word with Lady Meredith."
    Seeing Stephen's hesitation, Garreth added, "You need have no fear for your stepmother's reputation when she is with me."
    "Think you that I care who my stepmother beds? There have been many before you; there will be many after you are gone."
    Eugenia cried out in rage, and Garreth moved to her side, unbridled anger coursing through his veins. "You go too far, Stephen. I will not allow anyone, not even you, to speak of Eugenia in this manner. It matters not if you are my friend, you will not defame her. I love