An image of Pamela, naked beneath him, sprang into his mind, obviously a temptation from the Devil himself. He saw her honey-gold locks strewn on navy satin sheets, her rosy lips parted, cheeks flushed, blue eyes dark with passion, nipples peaked against the hard palms of his hands as he spread her thighs with his hips and possessed her with his pulsingly needy manhood.
The vision was so vivid he nearly groaned aloud. He rubbed his hand over his face to try to free himself of the powerfully erotic image which threatened every particle of his self-control.
It was impossible, he insisted, flicking the reins against the horse's back in exasperation. He had given his word, and there was an end to it. No matter how unhappy he was, it was God's will. He was simply His vessel, His instrument. He had to avoid temptation and adhere to his chosen path, no matter how wretched and torn he felt.
Chapter Nine
"Here we are," Jonathan declared at the end of a nearly an hour's drive.
"Oh my," Pamela said, admiring the magnificent old house of gray stone. She entered the front door and looked in awe at the twin staircases which ascended to the upper floors, and the fine moldings, busts, and paintings which filled the walls.
The staircases themselves were of snowy white marble, with gilt leaves decorating the posts and balustrades. Fine Turkey carpets underfoot led up the stairs and to the large formal reception room through the double doors under the balcony formed by the two staircases meeting at the upper storey. It was as fine as Ashton Manor, if not more so, Pamela noted with uncharacteristic modesty.
Their hosts Clifford and Vanessa Stone greeted them with every show of civility, and were indeed a most attractive couple, intelligent, but not in the least haughty. Vanessa was tall and willowy, with auburn hair and the most remarkable amethyst eyes, Clifford a tall, blond Adonis with sparkling sapphire eyes.
Pamela liked them immediately, and felt as if they were old friends within minutes. She paid attention to the woman's happy talk of her little son, Arthur, named after Viscount Wellington, of course. But she listened avidly to all the men said as well as they sat in the Stones' fine pale blue and cream drawing room and sipped sherry.
She could not fail to be impressed. Clifford and Jonathan were obviously as close as brothers, though Clifford's brother Henry also being present with his wife Josephine helped her to compare. The two brothers were also very close, and she was astonished to find in the course of their tour of the stately home which she was given before they sat down to dinner that Clifford had willingly divided his estate exactly in two, and that the Stone men and women ran it together.
Henry's wife Josephine was a lovely, sensible blonde young woman whom he had married the previous autumn. She helped look after the smooth running of the household, whilst Vanessa tended to Arthur and helped Clifford with the estate and shared his love of writing.
Pamela observed the happy couples, their long looks, physical closeness, and decided that falling in love and having a passionate attachment was a very good thing indeed. Both of the women were possessed of excellent fortunes, she knew, but that had not been the reason why they had married.
In fact, Clifford shocked her no end by telling her that he had won his wife in a card game.
"I'm surprised you didn't hear all the gossip, but you would have been quite young for such talk. Vanessa's half-brother Gerald caused scandal here in Millcote the likes of which had never been seen," Clifford said without the slightest touch of embarrassment.
"I suspect my aunt wouldn't have wanted me to hear such shocking tales."
"Shocking indeed," Vanessa said with a shake of her head. "To discover my own brother was a murderer, a highwayman? That he'd tried to kill me? I thank God every day for Clifford saving my life. If he hadn't come along the road when he did, along with Henry on his way to Josephine's birthday party," she added, giving that couple a smile, "it would have been all over for me."
"Thank goodness Clifford saved you," Pamela said sincerely.
"I do every day. I've found love and life in this house, and created a new life in baby Arthur," Vanessa said with a beaming smile directed at her husband. "What could be better than that?"
"Helping with our new school over in Brimley," Jonathan said with a wink.
"Yes, indeed," Clifford agreed. "You may certainly count on us all, can't he, Henry?"
"Certainly. A wonderful idea, Miss Ashton. I feel certain many people will gain the benefit of your generosity in terms of time and money, and that you'll be a most welcome addition to our little set of Rakehells."