Read Passion's Song (A Georgian Historical Romance) for Free Online

“If he loves you, he will declare himself like a
gentleman. You’re a lady, and he must treat you like
one!”
    “ But, if he loves me, he will not
compromise me!” Isobel took back the letter.
    Mrs. Morris shook her head. Master Philip was a
young man obsessed with bedding every wench in sight, though she
could not bring herself to tell Isobel so. “Listen to me,” she
said, “a gentleman does not ask a lady to meet him alone. You know
this. That letter is nothing but an insult. Do you not know in your
heart that it would be wrong to meet him?”
    “ But he says he loves
me!”
    “ No, Isobel, he does not say he
loves you. Read it again. He says he hopes you will disgrace
yourself. Will you damn yourself to hell for such a man? Will you
do what you know is wrong? There is no greater sin than that,
Isobel.”
    “ Mrs. Morris, if you can read this
letter and tell me Philip does not love me, I will not
go.”
    “ He will love you all the more if
you prove to him you will not do what you know to be a
sin.”
    * * *
    For some time afterward, Philip came home only to
ask his father for money. On the few occasions when Isobel saw him
he refused to do anything but scowl at her. She had adored him for
so long she could not believe he could be angry with her for
refusing to compromise herself.
    One day, when Philip was again home to ask his
father for a few more dollars, she passed him in the hall, and to
her surprise he caught her arm and made her stop.
    “ Good afternoon, cousin
Isobel.”
    She gave him a strained smile. “Philip.” When he did
not let go of her arm, she tried to shake loose. “What do you want?
Your mother will not be very pleased if she finds you are keeping
me from my work.” Her warning had no effect, for he continued to
grip her arm.
    “ Why didn’t you come?”
    “ Philip, if you truly loved me,
you would never have insulted me by asking me to meet you!” She met
his gaze unblinkingly.
    He pulled her close to him until she was pressed up
against his chest. “Isobel, you are a cruel and cold woman.”
    There was a hungry look in his eyes that frightened
her, but she was unable to look away. His face was so close to hers
she could feel his breath on her cheek. “Let me go!” She tried to
twist away, but he only held her tighter.
    “ Isobel, I do love you.” He stared
into her eyes and then let them close as he lowered his head to her
mouth. His lips were hard on hers, and when she felt him trying to
thrust his tongue into her mouth, she kicked out at him as hard as
she could. To her great relief he suddenly released her. “You’ll
regret that, you little bitch!” he snarled, bending over to rub his
bruised shin.
    “ You are a gentleman, Philip
Samuels, but you seem to have forgotten it!” she cried, resisting
the urge to wipe her mouth.
    He straightened up and sneered, “If you want to get
on in the world, cousin, stop your airs and remember your station.
There’re easier ways for a woman to make a living. Even one like
you!” He stepped back. “You won’t be so proud when Father boots you
out of here. You won’t think yourself too good for me then!” He
brushed against her as he went down the stairs.
    She leaned against the wall after he was gone and
pressed the back of her hand to her mouth. She finally understood
that Philip Samuels meant her no good.
    VI
    Philip had not been home for several weeks when
Isobel found herself enjoying a rare evening of solitude after Mr.
Samuels took Mrs. Samuels and fat Miss Emily to supper and a new
Italian opera. When she came home from Mr. Archer’s she discovered
Mrs. Morris was also out, probably taking advantage of the empty
house to visit her brother, and so Isobel ate a very lonely supper.
She was in her room, brushing out her hair, when she decided she
would read for an hour or so before going to bed. She pulled on a
cotton wrapper, then went downstairs to the library. In this quiet
room, surrounded by books, she could pretend she