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"Where did those clothes come from?" Philippa asked, pale but earnest as she stared directly into Annabelle’s eyes
Annabelle frowned "I’ve already told you, Ma at me like that?"
"Did these clothes come from a man? Perhaps from Mr Hunt?"
Annabelle’sif I…with him? Good Lord, Mahtest opportunity How in heaven’s naaze without blinking "You’ve mentioned Mr Hunt quite often this season Far owns are obviously quite costly…"
"They are not from him," Annabelle said firmly
Philippa seemed to relax, but a question re anyone look at her with suspicion, Annabelle picked up a hat and set it at a sle over her forehead "They’re not," she repeated
Silass, Annabelle saw an oddly frozen expression on her face She supposed that her ht--she hadabout hi after they had seen each other No other man of her acquaintance possessed Hunt’s charismatic, wicked appeal, nor had any man ever been so openly interested in her And now, in the last feeeks of a failed season, she found herself conte woman should ever think about She knew that without much effort, she could become Hunt’s mistress, and all her troubles would be over He was a wealthy ive her whatever she wanted, pay her family’s debts, and provide her with beautiful clothes, jewels, her own carriage, her own house…all that in return for sleeping with hih her abdo in bed with Siht de deeply, she forced the ie aside and toyed with the silk rose adornments on the corded band of her hat If she became Simon Hunt’s mistress, he would own her co so co voice in her head asked, "Is your honor so important to you? More important than your family’s welfare? Or even your own survival?"
"Yes," Annabelle said under her breath, staring at her own pale, purposeful reflection "Right now it is" She couldn’t answer for later But until every last hope was exhausted, she still had her self-respect…and she would fight to keep it
CHAPTER 5
It was easy to see why the nalish word "ha to a water meadow The county was rich with such meadows, not to mention heath and lush woodland that had once been earrounds With its contrast of drareen vales, and rivers flush with trout, Hampshire offered activities for every sportsman The earl of Westcliff’s estate, Stony Cross Park, was set like a jewel in a fertile river valley that scored gently through acres of forest It seeuests at Stony Cross Park, for Westcliff was an accomplished host as well as an avid hunter
From all appearances, Lord Westcliff deserved his reputation of ih principles He was not the sort to be involved in scandal, as he seeues and slippery morality of London society Instead, he spenthis responsibilities and caring for his tenants On occasion he traveled to London to further his business interests or involve himself in a political matter that demanded his attention
It was on one of these trips that Annabelle had met the earl, when they had been introduced at a soiree Although he was not classically handsome, Westcliff was not without attractions He was only of ht, but he possessed the powerful form of a seasoned sportsman and an air of unmistakable virility All that, combined with an immense personal fortune and one of the oldest earldoe, land Naturally, Annabelle had wasted no ti a determined flirtation with him when they had first er young women and had i, even though it had been the truth
Ever since Annabelle had been rebuffed by Westcliff, she had er sister, Lady Olivia, a softhearted girl as of an age with Annabelle and had been tainted by scandal in her past And it was thanks to Lady Olivia’s kindness that Annabelle and Evie had been invited to this party For the next three weeks, both the four-legged and the two-legged varieties of prey would be under siege at Stony Cross Park
"My lady," Annabelle exclaimed, as Lady Olivia came to welcome them "How kind of you to invite us! London was positively stifling--the refreshing climate of Hampshire is precisely e needed"
Lady Olivia sirl with average features, she see with happiness According to Lillian and Daisy, Lady Olivia was betrothed to an American millionaire "Is it a love match?" Annabelle had asked in her last letter to them, and Lillian had written back that it reportedly was "However," Lillian had added wryly, "my father says that the alliance between the two families will certainly be to Lord Westcliff’s financial advantage, which is why he gave his approval" To the earl, romance was not nearly as i her mind back to the present, Annabelle s clasp "And you are precisely e needed," Lady Olivia exclaih "The place is overrun with males in search of sport--I informed the earl that we simply had to invite some women to keep the atmosphere reasonably civilized Co up the skirts of the new salmon pink muslin from Lillian, Annabelle followed Lady Olivia up the front steps into the entrance hall "How is Lord Westcliff?" Annabelle asked as they ascended one side of the grand double staircase "In good health, I hope?"
"My brother is quite well, thank you Although I fear he is driving hi He insists on overseeing every detail"