A Growing Passion Read Online Free Page B

of plants. In fact, he would, and does, embrace your unconventional scientific interest.”
    “That is one large point in his favor.”
    Elaine’s eyebrows lifted and she leaned forward conspiratorially. “Speaking of large, well . . . darling, he did spend some time in bed with Lady Haldon, after all, and she is one to talk. . . . So tell me, is large an appropriate term?”
    Remembering the sensation of his glorious penetration and how she’d felt stretched deliciously as wide as possible, Victoria took a sip from her glass and responded, “Well, I don’t have a lot of experience, but large seems just about right.”
    Lady Wharton sighed and cooed, “You lucky, lucky young thing.”
     
    Stephen slid over the window sill and slipped into the darkened depths of the room. It smelled like Victoria, he thought immediately, struck by the gentle fragrance of exotic blooms, his breath coming slightly quick from his climb. Closing the sash to keep out the chill of a clear fall night, he went over and stirred the fire, squatting down and poking at the glowing coals. She would be upstairs any minute, and he was chafing to see her. When he heard voices outside in the corridor, he climbed into the giant armoire, grateful for both the size of it and the overflowing contents.
    His future bride, he thought, a bit of lace trim tickling his nose, certainly did not stint with her wardrobe.
    But then again, when one had the body of Venus, why not display it? he reminded himself.
    The rustling of fabric as her maid helped her undress nearly undid him, even cramped as he was, his body responding to the very idea of her taking off her clothes. When he finally heard her dismiss the girl he sent a prayer heavenward, and at the closing of the door, he shoved open the doors of the armoire and slipped out.
    Victoria’s back was to him as she splashed water on her face, her graceful curves enticing, the roundness of her bottom visible through her thin chemise as she bent over. As if she sensed him there staring at her, she suddenly whirled around. He said urgently, “I had to see you.”
    A startled gasp emerged at the unexpected presence of someone in her bedroom, but at least she hadn’t screamed, and her fear was immediately replaced by anger. Her eyes, magnificent at any time, sparked. “Stephen, have you ever heard of the front door? If you want to see me, why not simply come calling like any sane person?”
    “I don’t just want to see you.”
    Water still dripped from her nose and ran down her cheeks. He found it inexplicably charming. She grabbed a towel and dabbed at her wet face, saying, “Oh.”
    She looked . . . well, beyond alluring. A barefoot goddess with tumbled red-gold hair and abundant breasts, clad only in a thin lacy shift. His hands flexed as he forced himself to not grab her, dump her on the bed, and drive himself deep inside her luscious body. “I need to know,” he said in a strained voice, “who.”
    Victoria blinked, the towel suspended in her hands. “Who, what?”
    “You weren’t a virgin, you said. And,” he added on a breath, “you were telling the truth. It’s been driving me crazy.”
    “It has?” She looked amazed. “Oh, Stephen, it was nothing. One night back in Italy with a handsome young man. . . . Uhm, his name was Cosomo and he was very young and I wasn’t much younger, nineteen. It was pleasant, I guess, but not enough to repeat the performance.” She smiled. “And nothing like the other day. I was more curious than truly in love with him. Italy is, after all, a very romantic place. I allowed myself to be persuaded, but just once.”
    He was still unreasonably, obsessively jealous, but one time was better than the torrid love affair he had tortured himself imagining the past three days. He’d thought about almost nothing else. “Didn’t you think you should save yourself for your future husband?” he demanded.
    “Didn’t you think you should stay out the bed of that shrewish