Tempted: A Series of Temptations

By Elle Q. Sabine

Not all relationships end happily. In fact, even happily-ever-afters end. But Johna is trapped in an unhappy marriage with no end in sight. She's lonely, and desperate to birth the children her husband requires.

Over the course of six years, Johna explores three very different relationships. But happiness is elusive, even when she's living it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE BY ELLE

The stories in Tempted are supplemental material about the mother of the sisters in The Misbegotten Misses series, published by Totally Entwined Group and Pride Publishing (The Outcast Earl, The Rusticated Duchess, The Troubled Knight, and The Second Sons). I wrote them in stages between and during the books, as the tragedy of the mother of the four sisters became central to the novels. This material has previously been available on my website and is not new. It is provided here as supplementary vignettes.

While romantic in nature, in and of itself, the story is not a romance because (spoiler alert), there is not a happy ending at the end of the last vignette, nor even a happy-for-now conclusion. The process of writing a tragic love story brought me to sobbing tears. I do not wish to repeat the experience.

These stories may contain triggers for those who are grieving or struggling with depression.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elle Q. Sabine
• Release date: Feb 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393963813

Book preview

Tempted

A SERIES OF TEMPTATIONS

Elle Q. Sabine

Copyright 2020 Elle Q. Sabine

(Contact Elle Q. Sabine at [e-mail])

Cover Design by Elle Q. Sabine.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LICENSE NOTES

ABOUT Tempted

AUTHOR'S NOTE

DEDICATION

Temptation in 1797

Temptation in 1798

Temptation in 1799

Temptation in 1800

Temptation in 1801

Temptation in 1802

Temptation in 1803

ABOUT ELLE Q. SABINE

OTHER BOOKS BY ELLE Q. SABINE

LICENSE NOTES

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, transmitted by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, etc) without the prior permission of the author, above.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ABOUT TEMPTED

NOT ALL RELATIONSHIPS end happily. In fact, even happily-ever-afters end. But Johna is trapped in an unhappy marriage with no end in sight. She's lonely, and desperate to birth the children her husband requires.

Over the course of six years, Johna explores three very different relationships. But happiness is elusive, even when she's living it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

BY ELLE

The stories in Tempted are supplemental material about the mother of the sisters in The Misbegotten Misses series, published by Totally Entwined Group and Pride Publishing (The Outcast Earl, The Rusticated Duchess, The Troubled Knight, and The Second Sons). I wrote them in stages between and during the books, as the tragedy of the mother of the four sisters became central to the novels. This material has previously been available on my website and is not new. It is provided here as supplementary vignettes.

While romantic in nature, in and of itself, the story is not a romance because (spoiler alert), there is not a happy ending at the end of the last vignette, nor even a happy-for-now conclusion. The process of writing a tragic love story brought me to sobbing tears. I do not wish to repeat the experience.

These stories may contain triggers for those who are grieving or struggling with depression.

DEDICATION

IN THREE WORDS I CAN sum up everything I've learned about life:  it goes on.

Robert Frost

If you are grieving or consumed by despair and hopelessness, find a resource that can help.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  [phone]

Trevor Hotline:  (866) 4-U-TREVOR

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline:  [phone]

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline -Youth:  [phone]

National Sexual Assault Hotline (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, RAINN):  [phone]

ational Human Trafficking Hotline:  [phone] or text 233733

National Runaway Safeline (for children, youth, and teenagers):  [phone]

VictimConnect Hotline: (855) 4-VICTIM

Temptation in 1797

EARLY NOVEMBER

He knew when a woman wanted him. The sweet plum laughed into his face as he matched her lively dance steps. She had the telltale glitter in her eyes and a subtle tremor in her pert figure. She could barely keep her hips from swinging too obviously.

It wouldn’t do to advertise her interest, or his. She clearly understood the need for discretion, and had done all she could to command his attention without drawing ire and attention from the other women that crowded the duchess’s entertainment. This particular plum’s husband had recently inherited a title equal to his own, though with less precedence. And she was young, both to her marriage and in age. The couple had only been in town since the opening of Parliament, and not so very long ago this sweet creature had been a virginal debutante.

While an affair for one such as him held little personal risk, she had not yet birthed Winchester a son. It bothered him a bit, but he shrugged it away. If he didn’t respond to her sultry eyes soon, she’d turn elsewhere. He found he didn’t like that notion at all. She was already circling his hook, and it was time for her to be caught.

Of course, if she was out hunting for companionship, either she was already with child or Winchester was monumentally stupid. If the fool had spent even a few minutes of his evenings looking in on his interests, the wolves of London wouldn’t be already stalking her, closing in for the kill. He’d had to warn two of them off himself, nearly giving away his own self-interest under the cover of bored indifference and the ‘unintentional’ interruption.

He wondered why she had chosen him, decades older and steadfastly married, to smile at and crook her pretty little finger. It was time to find out, in any event. Not that he’d rush her off to a linen closet for a stiff kiss and poke; he’d want much more time and intimacy than that. Indeed, presumably even Winchester would notice if she returned home at the evening’s end in disarray from the games he planned to play with her.

The measure over, he bowed, appreciating the momentary revelation of her smooth, shapely breasts as she curtsied to the perfect degree before him. Would you care to stroll in the conservatory, my lady? he murmured, lifting her with a graceful tug on her fingers as he stood. I believe the terrace, while naturally preferable for conversation, would be completely too wet and cold tonight.

Her eyes suddenly more serious, she studied him intently. What a refreshing suggestion, my lord, she smiled, her carefully controlled smile in place as they turned, touching no more than by their raised fingertips to leave the dance floor. Once amid the throng, their arms fell and he settled her arm on his easily, strolling negligently but directly toward the long doors at the end of the ballroom.

The doors stood open, welcoming guests, but the conservatory wasn’t yet crowded and would allow a modicum of private conversation. It was early in the evening, and those strolling had no wish to congregate and chat. Such was the purpose of the ballroom. Here was the place for actual conversation.

He directed them onto a path, permitting her to set a slow pace, before saying directly, You, my dear countess, are flirting with me.

She glanced up at him, calm and cool but looking decidedly determined. Slowly one of her finely shaped brows rose high and she murmured, And you, my lord earl, are not objecting.

He shrugged and made clear his opinion on the matter. I’m hardly one to deny myself the pleasure to come from both the flirtation and its ultimate consequences, although you are tempting me to turn you over my knee for it.

To her credit, she did not fluster in heat or indignation. A slow blush rose up her neck to her cheeks. He looked disgustingly at the gown; the things women were forced to don in public these days were clearly the work of some fanatic prude. He wanted to be able to see how far down the blush spread, but her fashionable gown, complete with front and back bustles and wide petticoats over stiff hoops, prevented him from it. True to his intuition, he was charmed when her mind and voice rose to the occasion. I hardly think you would attempt such an encounter in Her Grace’s conservatory, even if you had such a privilege.

I would not, he agreed. Her Grace’s ball is hardly the proper atmosphere for what I plan. Although I must warn you, should you come to me even for the few weeks of the Little Season, I shall assume I do have the privilege, when circumstances permit. It would be better to set out the rules of their relationship now. He only had one wife, and the sugarplum about to be caught in his palm would have to keep her husband. Such was dalliance. While she was delectably pretty, she would not be his first game, nor his last.

Her lips curled mockingly as she laid down her own rules of engagement. I remain in London at Winchester’s convenience. As long as he remains, I might as well be entertained.

Ah, he mused, careful to keep anything revealing from his face. Tell me, my dear lady, how long have you been married?

Six months, my lord, and we have been in the country all that time. Clearly anticipating his interest, she added tonelessly while looking directly ahead of her, And no, I am not with child. He presumed a change of scenery would be helpful, and Lords is sitting, so here we are.

He must still share your bed then.

She looked at him, her eyes wide with honest surprise. "Why do you inquire about such