Antonia's Bargain by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

have gone.”
    Her innate curiosity bubbled over. “How?”
    “Dammit, Antonia, how old are you? Do you know nothing of what goes on
    between a man and a woman?”
    “Twenty-six, but you have not answered my question.”
    He sighed. “What the hell was I thinking when I offered you my services?”
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    Antonia’s Bargain
    She ripped her hand out from under his. “I am not a child. You promised to be
    honest.” She headed for the door. “If you will not be frank with me about a man’s true
    desires then there is no point in continuing this charade. Good night, my lord.”
    “If you wish to stay and watch me pleasure myself, you may.”
    Antonia stopped, her hand flat on the door panel and took a deep breath. Did she?
    She paused as she heard the creak of Gideon settling into a chair, the soft brush of
    disturbed cloth, the faint scent and sound of the wet slickness of his desire. She slowly
    turned around.
    His breeches were open, his left hand wrapped around the huge shaft of his cock.
    He used his right hand to slide down his foreskin to reveal the glistening purple tip.
    Antonia bit her lip as a drop of liquid slid down the side of his heated flesh and came to
    rest on his hand.
    He turned from his contemplation of his shaft and looked up at her. “Have you
    ever seen an erect cock before?”
    She trembled as a long-buried memory resurfaced to torment her. She’d been too
    bold and allowed her anger to lead her into a situation she had no ability to control.
    With a gasp she grabbed the handle, wrenched open the door and ran.
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    Kate Pearce
    Chapter Three
    Antonia squinted at the ragged edge of the embroidered rose. She lacked
    concentration and her needlework, never her finest accomplishment, suffered. If her
    Aunt Flora saw the mess she’d made of the cushion cover she was supposed to be
    sewing, she would insist Antonia pull out the stitches and start again.
    “Did you hear me, dear?”
    She hastily covered her work and looked up to see her aunt staring at her.
    “I said that we will be attending the Markhams’ ball this evening. It is the first large
    ball of the season. Charles particularly wants you to make a good impression on the
    Markhams’ eldest son, Douglas.”
    “I will do my best, Aunt.” Antonia tried to smile back as her aunt frowned over her
    spectacles. Flora had been married to Antonia’s deceased uncle and now kept house for
    her son.
    “You do not seem very excited at the prospect of entering the ton , my dear.”
    Antonia sighed. “At my age, I feel rather too old to be prancing around like a
    debutante. I would much rather stay at home and read a good book.”
    “La, Antonia, how can you say that?” Her cousin Deborah looked amused. “I can’t
    wait to be introduced to all those fascinating, eligible men.”
    “Deborah, that is exactly why your brother and I feel that you are far too young to
    be out,” said Flora. “Your manners and opinions are too high-spirited for a young lady
    of good family.”
    “I was only funning, Mama. Antonia knows that.”
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    Antonia’s Bargain
    Antonia winked at her fifteen-year-old cousin. They shared a love of open spaces
    and an impatience with London society that mystified the other members of the family.
    In an attempt to divert Flora’s attention from Deb, Antonia spoke up.
    “I promise to do my best to engage the interest of Mr. Douglas Markham, and to
    enjoy myself. Is that sufficient?”
    Flora settled back into her chair and continued with her sewing. Antonia stared out
    of the window which faced the windswept square. Would Gideon Harcourt be among
    the guests invited to the Markhams’ ball? Would she see him in his element?
    Surrounded by his peers, a particular lady hanging on his arm?
    “Ouch!”
    She rubbed her finger where she’d jabbed herself with the needle. She hadn’t
    thought to ask Gideon if he was married. What if he had a wife? Was she taking him
    away from another woman? It was not as if she intended to