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A mischievous smile played on Donovan’s lips as he regarded Portia from under his long golden lashes. “Ah, my lady, a tale of scandal you seek.” He rested his hand upon the marble balustrade as he leaned in closer. Underneath the blanket of stars, the moonlit terrace was an intimate stage for their secret exchange.
He began his tale. “The maiden was a beauty unparalleled. Her charm was such that whenever she entered a room, everyone would turn and stare, captivated. She had two ardent admirers. The first was a man with hair as dark as midnight who possessed a seductive allure that could make even the most virtuous ladies question their morals.”
As Donovan spoke, Portia couldn’t help but be reminded of Lord Nigel Jeffries—the same striking dark hair and magnetic attraction that seemed impossible to resist.
“The second suitor,” Donovan continued, “had hair of golden silk. He was a roguish charmer, his sharp wit and thoughtful nature rare jewels in an otherwise vapid society.”
His description was startlingly self-referential, and Portia’s heart thumped in anticipation.
“The two men were polar opposites yet both equally smitten with the maiden. They courted her relentlessly. The dark-haired man, with his brooding intensity, would whisper poetic verses into her ear, his hand always lingering a little too long on the curve of her back.”
Warmth crept up Portia’s neck as his words painted a vivid picture of Lord Nigel’s actions towards her at their previous encounter.
“The golden-haired suitor, on the other hand,” Donovan continued with a gleam in his eyes, “resorted to laughter and shared confidences to win over the fair maiden. He would spin tales late into the night, his stories filled with scandal and intrigue that kept her longing for more.”
His words echoed the very encounter they were having, and for a moment Portia found herself caught between harsh reality and the tantalizing world Donovan was spinning. It became difficult to differentiate the story from her own life, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to.
“The maiden, however, was no innocent flower,” Donovan said, a note of admiration slipping into his voice. “She enjoyed their affections and didn’t shy away from their advances. She found pleasure in their rivaling attention, indulging in their desires as much as her own.”
His words resonated with Portia’s unspoken and undefined feelings for both Nigel and Donovan. She liked them both, yearned for both. Each presented a different allure—Nigel with his understated sensuality and Donovan with his radiant wit. A decision between the two seemed impossible.
“But desire is a double-edged sword.” Donovan’s voice dropped an octave, as if he were about to reveal a dangerous secret. “The more she gave into their advances, the more she found herself tangled in a web of her own making. Both men wanted her for themselves. Their demands grew, and their passions flared as jealousy began to gnaw at their hearts. The time for choosing was fast approaching, and the maiden, once relishing the thrill of their pursuit, found herself caught in a whirlwind of indecision and confusion.”
Donovan looked deeply into Portia’s eyes, his gaze intense. “What did she do then?” he asked, leaving an open-ended question hanging in the air between them.
Portia was silent for a moment. The parallels of the story were impossible to miss. Donovan had been telling not just a tale but their story. Somehow he knew about Nigel. Staring into his sapphire eyes, she found herself lost, torn between two men who couldn’t be more different and were yet equally alluring.
“Perhaps,” she said finally with a soft sigh, “she should let her heart decide.”
“Ah, but what if her heart is as confused as her mind?” Donovan countered, his gaze still locked on hers.
“Mayhap she needs to give it more time. Love doesn’t happen overnight,” Portia replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the rapid fluttering of her heart.
“And what of the men waiting on her decision?” Donovan smirked. “What do they do while their hearts hang in the balance?”
Portia bit her lower lip, mulling over his question. She was, after all, at the center of this tale, and she knew the answer lay within her.
“Perhaps they should continue to show her their true selves,” she suggested, hoping it didn’t sound horribly selfish. “In time, one will surely stand out more than the other.”
Donovan’s smirk widened into a full smile. “And if both continue to capture her interest equally?”
“Then she’s left with a wonderful problem, isn’t she?” Portia retorted. “A decision between two men who adore her and whom she is fortunate to care for.”
Silence reigned as Donovan regarded her, his eyes reflecting the silver glow of the moon above. Then he chuckled, breaking the momentary tension. “Yes, my lady. A most wonderful problem indeed.”
The sound of his laughter echoed through the terrace, bringing a smile to Portia’s face despite her internal turmoil. Her heart was indeed confused, and time seemed to be the only solution right now. But as Donovan continued to gaze at her with an intensity that made her insides squirm, Portia knew that this dilemma was far from being resolved—and might not be for quite some time.
“But perhaps,” she said after a moment’s pause, her tone suddenly serious again, “she might have both of her heart’s desires. She might have both of the men. They might offer her a pleasure she’s never known.”
The Perils of Portia will continue…
4
One year later…
Tricia’s cheeks warmed as she put down the magazine. Sarah had somehow got her hands on the next several issues of The Ruby, and she’d only brought them over to Tricia a few weeks earlier when they met for their afternoon stroll.
Tricia had hidden them deep within her valise after her maid had packed for the trip to the Ashford Estate. Only now had she gotten the courage to look at them. Two men! Scandalous!
