Authors: Kate Pearce

Raw Desire (27 page)

BOOK: Raw Desire

9.99Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

ads

Her eyes filled with tears at his unexpected kindness. “How do you know that?”

“Because I've been starved myself.” His smile died. “If it hadn't have been for Mr. Delornay, I would've died on the streets.”

Elizabeth licked the rough brown sugar from the spoon and some of the porridge and wanted to moan at the influx of rich tastes against her tongue.

“Does Mr. Delornay make a habit of rescuing waifs and strays?”

“Despite what he might claim, he follows his mother in that respect. No one is ever turned away from the pleasure house without a crust or a coin.”

“Or a bed for the night, in my case.” Elizabeth ate two whole spoons of porridge and for the first time in weeks she felt warm inside. “I am very grateful for that.” She glanced across at Ambrose. “I had no more coin to pay my rent, and my landlord took all my remaining possessions until I could come up with the money.”

“We can probably get them back for you.”

“I'm not sure how.” Elizabeth sighed and ate another spoon of porridge. “I still have no money.”

“I'm sure Mr. Delornay will have some ideas about that, too, when you talk to him.”

Elizabeth put down her spoon as her appetite deserted her. “He said I was too weak to work here in a menial capacity and that he didn't employ whores.”

“With all due respect, ma'am, he does have a point. You are indisputably a lady.”

“And ladies whore in different ways, don't they?” she whispered. “They are sold into marriage and cannot deny their husbands sexual congress.”

Ambrose stood and came around the table to her. “I think you should go to bed, ma'am. I will escort you.”

She took his proffered hand and looked up into his face. She reckoned they were of a similar age. “If you are just Ambrose, will you call me Elizabeth?”

“If that is your wish, I would be honored.” He kissed her hand. “And now let's get you somewhere safe and warm to sleep. If you leave your clothing outside the door, I will arrange for it to be laundered and returned to you tomorrow.”

“Safe . . .” Elizabeth sighed as he walked ahead of her. Mr. Delornay was right: She'd been a fool to run away without taking the things she valued the most. Getting them back seemed impossible now. She swallowed another inconvenient wave of tears. It was impossible to think in her current state, but at least she didn't have to worry about anything until the morning.

APHRODISIA BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

Aphrodisia and the A logo Reg. U.S. Pat & TM Off.

ISBN: 978-0-7582-7456-4

First Kensington Trade Paperback Printing: September 2011

BOOK: Raw Desire

9.99Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

Read Book Download Book

ads