The Seduction of Gretchen by Rosalind Scarlett

Trudging through each day, I scolded myself for ruminating over him no less than twenty times.Īnd then all the things I forced my mind to suppress burst through into my dreams, attacking me where I was rendered helpless. Now fearing he was never to return, that he had finally returned from whence he had come, leaving me alone to nurse my wounds, I strove once more to block him from my thoughts. Those eyes! Oh! God, he has such a hold upon me. I cursed this spell, wishing I could shake it, never think of him again, forget ever I saw his face, and those eyes… The one whose face was imprinted upon my memory. Three weeks had now passed with no sign of him. I resolved right then to speak to Lucia about keeping them apart for as long as possible, if Giuliana was going to have any chance of keeping her head on straight and make it there as a performer, for which she definitely had the potential, if only she could fortify her heart a bit. If he were the first man she had here, she may not be able to get over it… But if she were to have someone else, however, it may just be enough to distract her from fixating upon Vincenzo. I knew she was only anxious to see if she had been paired with Vincenzo. But I was not about to tell her all of that.Īs though she had read my thoughts, I perceived a hint of jealousy coming from her.Īfter dinner, Giuliana and I leisurely walked back over to the courtesan’s lounge to see if the list has been posted for the night’s performances. And a damn impressive first, he had been. He had introduced me to my sexual awakening, after all. “Indeed, he is, amongst other things.” I smiled at her nodding my head in agreement.

“He is just quite a handsome man, is he not?” “Oh, I am not looking for love,” she rebuffed, smiling defensively. Love is something best forgotten while you are serving as a courtesan. Sanguelascivia is not the place for love. I was quick to add, “Giuliana, be careful. He was already here whenever I arrived several years past,” I answered, unable to keep the concern from bleeding into my tone. The reality of this place would eat her alive! I had seen it happen before. I needed to take this girl under my wing or she would lose herself all too rapidly. I knew right then she was headed for trouble. “Vincenzo,” she said, savouring the sound upon her tongue as would a naïve girl in love for the first time. Expecting her to ask such a question, I laughed.

The Seduction of Gretchen by Rosalind Scarlett