Pride & Passion

by Sarah Roberts

'To Charlotte, Viscountess Ogden, my wife, the sum of one hundred pounds for services rendered...' Unless it is to the new viscount. She must throw herself on Lord Ogden's mercy. She once rejected his offer for her hand. She chose security over the former soldier's love. It was a mistake. Once, he had desperately loved her. Betrayed by his cousin, spurned by the lady, he is bitter over the past. Yet honor demands that he provide for his cousin's widow. Lady Ogden makes another mistake. She wakens the fury – and hot passion – of the new lord. Vengeance. Desire. Steamy, seductive passion. - Disclaimer – Not for the faint-hearted. Lots of hot, explicit sex. 18+ ----trigger---Standalone “Is there any chance you might be breeding?” A flush sprang into her cheeks. She tightened her clasped fingers until her knuckles turned white. She couldn’t imagine what conceivable business it could be of his – but of course! In a flash, she understood. He’d still be the heir presumptive if she was with child, and not entitled to the chair in which he was now sitting. For a wild moment, she thought of lying, of saying that there was a chance of it, if only to gain some time in hopes of making another way for herself; but she could not sacrifice her honor, after all. It was the only thing left to her besides her tattered pride. Her husband had not lain with her in the several weeks before the accident, and as for the last time... She lifted her chin. “None, my lord.” “Then there is nothing to be done for you.” The viscount’s flat statement fell harshly on her ears. Whatever fragile hope she had nourished withered. In dull despair, she looked at his angered, set face. The slow tick of the clock sounded unbearably loud. Some odd quality gathered in his expression, suddenly frightening her. His hard gaze bored into her own. He spoke slowly, very deliberately. “Unless, my lady, you were brought to bed of a child within the year of your mourning.” Lady Ogden stared into his unreadable eyes. But I have just informed him – At first, she did not understand. Then – when the incredible import dawned on her – she went hot and weak. The echo of his words taunted her through the chambers of her astonished mind. The air shuttled in and out of her lungs in rapid, shallow breaths. She wondered why she did not faint. But he waited, still watching her. Falcon’s cruel eyes. Hating him, hating herself, she was sickeningly aware of the traitorous tempo of her heartbeat. She made herself answer him. “Y-yes, that is true.” “Then you know what you must do.” He did not know how he spoke so impassively. He had been caught fast in the grip of a white-hot fury. She uttered her surrender. Her low voice sounded strangled. "Yes." Lord Ogden addressed her brusquely. "I have taken my cousin's room." The bargain has been struck. He wanted her to take his meaning. He baldly stated his intention. "I will bed you tonight." Lady Ogden drew in her breath sharply. She shot up her head. Her swimming, tragic gaze fastened on him, a dawning horror on her face. Finally, the dresser came into the study and led the viscountess out of the room. The door shut. Lord Ogden swung around and stalked to the window. He drew back the heavy drapery with one hand, so that he could stare fiercely out into the cold gathering night. His breathing moved harshly in and out of his chest. He'd fought in bloody battles, but nothing had rattled him like what he had just done. "I have damned my honor. It is a wretched course I have set." Please leave a review! Your opinion matters!

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2018

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