Page 12 of A Lady's Curves
Allure? What can that mean? I stop and face him. “What are you playing at?”
Eyes wide, he stares at me. “I beg your pardon.”
“Your approach might be different, but I’m starting to wonder if you are another version of the man in the garden.” So that others in the park don’t notice anything amiss, I keep my hands lightly folded in front of me and my voice just above a whisper.
His jaw shifts from side to side. “Will you follow me for a moment?”
He walks to the right, crossing the grass and disappearing under the long hanging leaves of a tree.
Looking around, I check to see if anyone is watching. I should walk on and find new employment. Damn my curiosity, I follow and duck under the branches.
Stippled light passes through the thick leaves, It’s cozy and quiet in the shade.
Oscar paces a few feet away. “The second day you were at my house, my behavior was regrettable.”
Unsure what to say, I hold my tongue. I can admit to my curiosity.
He stops and faces me. “I find I am extremely attracted to you, Ann. I have been since the moment I met you. Since the notion of any relationship between us must be considered ridiculous, I tried to make you hate me. If you hate me, then I am safe from my own desires.”
It’s possible my heart stopped beating, and I’m about to die here under this tree in Hyde Park. “Why would you be attracted to me? I’m an old maid. I have nothing to offer save a full bosom. I’m sure your lordship can find plenty of that at the local brothel.” My temper and a hint of jealousy rise. “I may have chosen to become an Everton Lady, but don’t suppose that makes me desperate for affection or whatever it is you mean to offer.”
Storming away would be wise, but my cheeks are on fire and I hardly want all of society to know how flustered I am. Covering them with my hands, I will my emotions into submission. I close my eyes.
The heat of him fills the space in front of me. “Ann?”
Opening my eyes, I have to crane my neck to meet his gaze. “What?”
“I know I have given you no reason to trust me. I have behaved terribly and my regrets grow larger every day. However, I am not like the man in the garden. My desire for you is honest and goes beyond the physical. While I am well aware that you would never, could never, want me in any way, it is important to me that you know that sex is not the only thing on my mind.”
All my efforts to push my blush away are useless in the face of his claims. “I don’t believe you.”
He shakes his head. “No.” Deep sadness fills his eyes. “Why would you?”
Only able to stare at him, I swallow down emotions I haven’t felt since that first season. I’m already aware that my gauge of these relationships is badly tuned. There is no dowry. There is no family connection. Beyond my body, I have no value to a man like Oscar Stafford. Tears push at the corners of my eyes.
“Please don’t cry.” He hands me his handkerchief. “I’m going to leave you. It’s not because…” He shakes his head. “You’ll need to collect yourself to resume the walk.” He rushes out of the seclusion of the tree’s embrace.
Leaning on the large trunk, I dab my eyes, staving off an embarrassing bout of tears. Once I have my emotions in check, I return to the parade path where I find Louisa and Mae strolling.
“Are you all right, Miss Wittman?” Louisa asks.
“Yes. Thank you. I’m fine. I had a bit of dust in my eye.” I force a smile and step behind the ladies.
“Where is my brother?” Mae scans the park. “Ah, there, by the river.” She calls for him.
His stern expression gives nothing away, but he rejoins us, walking next to me as we return to his house.
I offer him his handkerchiefback.
Pressing it back into my hand, he shakes his head.
My chest tightens. I run my finger over the embroidered O and S. Other parts of me tingle and I try not to think about the things he said under the tree. Of course, that makes me think about them even more. The heat returns to my cheeks and I set my mind to thinking about the accounting waiting for me in the study.
Mae steps beside me. “I misjudged you, and I believe I owe you an apology, Miss Wittman.”
“Did you?” It takes me a beat or two to focus on the sister rather than the brother.
“Yes. I’m sorry for thinking you would be unable to assist my daughter. I have never seen her excited about the prospect of balls. She asked me to take her to the modiste. It seems one of the men she danced with last night is very fond of yellow. I have no idea how she learned such a thing, but she would like a buttery gown that he might admire enough to pay her a call.” Mae shakes her head indulgently. “I’m going to take her now unless you have need of her.”
