His Dark Obsession Read Online Free Page A

America in disgrace. Well, it might not go precisely that way, but Sarah was certain she was close. The idea made her start to gasp in short agitated breaths…even more than she was already doing because of the blasted tight laced corset.
    Having already introduced Elma, or Euphemia as she was referred to in this setting, Florence was putting on quite a show for the Lord. Executing a perfect deep curtsy and batting her eyelashes, saying my lord this and my lord that in a suggestive voice. Sarah took that moment to try to sneak away. Slowly rising from her chair, she took one step before a cold boney hand clenched around her small wrist. A tight voice hissed in her ear, “Not one more step.”
    Sarah’s shocked gaze met the angry one of Mrs. Needham. “I have no idea where Victoria has taken herself off to. I will not lose you as well.”
    Dragging Sarah forward, Mrs. Needham spoke with false eagerness. “Lord Warrington, please allow me to introduce Sophronia.”
    Sarah’s attempts to keep her chin down were thwarted when Mrs. Needham deliberately placed her thumb under Sarah’s jaw and forced her head back.
    Wary green eyes clashed with ice blue. Oh god, she couldn’t breathe!
    ~*~
    Pierce was genuinely amused. He was often entertained. Occasionally surprised. Easily angered. Never jealous but rarely genuinely amused. The little minx he met in the street earlier was quite engaging. He was encouraged when he saw her enter the green door of Mrs. Needham’s flat, hoping she would prove to be one of the models. It actually took a bit of effort to continue on with his prior engagement with a theater a few doors down before keeping his afternoon appointment with Mrs. Needham. His initial instinct had been to chase the saucy baggage down.
    As a member of the ton, he had the luxury of both wealth and time. He chose to spend both by combining his passion for art and culture with his curiosity for science and intellectual pursuit. They were living in the modern age. There were so many wonderful marvels of ingenuity. None more intriguing than the photographic camera. He found everything about the action of capturing life in the moment fascinating.
    He recalled earlier, when he saw her running down the fashionable avenue in West End London as if it were a country lane. Her unfettered ebony hair streaming behind. Her cheeks flushed from the exertion. Head tilted back on a laugh. Skirts held scandalously high showing off light pink stocking clad slim calves. His palms itched for a camera. He wanted to capture the moment. To capture the swing of her bonnet. The curve of her cheek. The sound of her laughter on paper. And then she opened her comely pink mouth…and let out the most satisfyingly disgraceful curse. He was amused.
    Now she stood before him. Looking so delightfully pinned up and proper. It pleased the artist in him to see she could embody a warm free spirit one moment and exhibit a cool elegant facade the next. After admiring her plump derriere as she ran away from him, it was a pleasure to now see her lush bosom on such prominent display. It had been hidden from his view earlier by some hideous tweed jacket.
    She had such creamy golden skin. The usual women of his acquaintance favored a sickly pale complexion. This woman’s skin positively glowed. He believed Mrs. Needham tried to pawn her off as being from some place exotic. Balderdash. He knew an American female when he saw one. They had such a fresh air of nonchalance. It also explained her unusual appearance and demeanor compared to the standard London miss.
    “You may recognize Sophronia from the Delight cooking range illustration in the Pall Mall Gazette , Lord Warrington,” remarked Mrs. Needham.
    As the proprietress droned on in the background, Pierce continued to admire the woman standing before him. After tearing his eyes from her ample bosom, he explored the slim column of her neck remembering how delicate and small it felt beneath is large hand. The