The Mistress of Hanover Square (25 page)

They moved together, slowly, taking their time as
their bodies matched and met in equal need—a need that took them soaring into realms of pleasure known only to true lovers. Carried and tossed by raging passion, they ended on a far shore where the soft sea spray kissed a sunlit breach and the scent of blooms wafted on a warm breeze.

‘I am in paradise…’ she murmured against his shoulder, tasting the salt of his sweat. ‘I am truly happy, Gerard.’

‘We are both in paradise then,’ he murmured and smiled down at her. ‘For I am in a place I never thought to be.’

Amelia lay back, content to feel him lying beside her. She thought that he had fallen asleep or perhaps he was just pretending again.

‘I was thinking,’ she said. ‘We have so much, Gerard. We must find a way to share some of our good fortune. I realise that I made a mistake with Marguerite, but there is a young woman I know who really does need a little good fortune. Her name is Jane and I thought we might give her a Season in town this year.’

Gerard did not answer. He must truly be asleep this time. Amelia smiled. Somewhere within the house she could hear a longcase clock striking. She felt sleepy, at peace with herself. There was no hurry for anything. When they returned to England, she would write to the young woman and invite her to stay with them at their house in Hanover Square…

All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

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First published in Great Britain 2009
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

© Anne Herries 2009

ISBN: 978-1-4089-1607-0