Page 4 of Her Wicked Longing
GillianBeaumont.
A lovely name for a lovely woman. Her face was not what most men might consider that of a typical beauty, but there was something honest and enchanting about her eyes and the openness of her expression. So many women of thetonhid their true selves, but not Miss Beaumont. And he’d had the good fortune to have Letty with him to convince the lady to accompany them to Gunter’s. If he could claim only a few hours with this woman, he would. As he escorted his sister and Miss Beaumont out of the shop, he wanted to skip about like ayounglad.
“Let me carry those.” He collected the clothing boxes from Miss Beaumont’s arms and escorted her to her coach. It gave him a chance to admire the sway of her hips and the flutter of her lavender skirts as she walked away to inform her driver to wait for her at Gunter’sTeaShop.
“I hope you’re bringing home that dark-purple gown, the one I saw you trying on.” James teased, and he hoped it wouldn’t make her hop in her coachandflee.
“I…” She blushed prettily, and he couldn’t help but dream about where else she might blush once he had her beneath him in a bed. The thought made his body rigid with need, but he buried it, which took a lot ofeffort.
“Well, did you?” He grinned at her as he handed the boxes to the coach driver who secured them in trunks attheback.
She nodded. “It was already fitted. I just had to be sure.” Her reply was so methodical he wanted to laugh. She didn’t sound like any lady he’d ever met. Most of them wouldn’t think about gowns so practically. They would instead gush over the cut of the décolletage or the embroidery onthehem.
“I’m glad it did. I hope to see you wearing it soon. Such a lovely gown will draw the attention of every man in aballroom.”
Her head ducked, and those lovely cheeks stayed bright red. “I supposeitwill.”
Something about her tone seemed wistful. He cocked his head to one side. Surely she would wear the gown and not let it sit idle in a wardrobe. That would be atravesty.
Once they had returned to his conveyance, he opened the carriage door for the ladies. As he bent his head to pull himself into the coach, he saw Letty making a show of piling her dress boxes next to her, her voice almost trilling as she discussed how much she liked her recentpurchases.
James hid a grin at the perceptiveness and playfulness of his sister in realizing he would wish to sit next to Miss Beaumont. He would have to find a way to thank her later, because at the moment he had to take the only available seat—next to his new acquaintance, who spared him a glance of surprise before moving to the far side of the bench. James sat down, flashing a smile in her direction as he allowed his left knee to fall ever so slightly towards her, bumping her lightly. It was impossible not to relish the color in her cheeks. The lady had great restraint and did not pull awayfromhim.
When they entered the bookshop, he was greeted with the pleasant musty smell of old paper and leather. Afternoon peeped through the curtains at the front of the shop, making the spines with gilded lettering gleam and wink. He’d always adored reading, and his own library at his country estate was extensive. He glanced toward Miss Beaumont, and she was staring about at the shop with the same hunger and appreciation for literature he felt. She seemed to sense his focus, and her eyes dartedtohis.
“A lover of books?” he askedsoftly.
“Yes, most definitely. How about you, Lord Pembroke?” she replied, her eyes finally settlingonhim.
“Most definitely,” he echoed. “Books feed the dreams and minds of men and women alike. A person who doesn’t love books isn’t a person worthknowing.”
“I quite agree. If you don’t read, you often have so little of worth to say in conversation,” sheadded.
“Well,” Letty said with a chuckle. “I see you two will be fine if I leave you for a few minutes. The shopkeeper must help me find the book I’m looking for.” She made herself scarce in a distant part of the store where she could not be seen. James wanted to crow in triumph. His sister was most certainly playing matchmaker, and he couldn’t have been more delighted. She’d chased off more than one lady who’d attempted to catch his eye, but she seemed to like MissBeaumont.
James escorted Miss Beaumont farther into the bookshop. “Where may I escort you? Perhaps the latest in sciences, or the philosophy section, or the newestnovels?”
“The novels, if you please.” Her blue-gray eyes held a faint twinkle that gave him hope he might yet win her with histeasing.
“Novels? This way.” He took her through a few more crowded aisles, not having the faintest clue where to find the novels, but he did his best to look about purposefully, until she started togiggle.
“Do you even know where the novels are?” She covered her mouth with a gloved hand to hide hersmile.
“Er… Not in this particular shop…” He stopped and then glanced around. “Aha!” He pointed to a gilded sign that hung above the nearest shelf. It read, “Novels.”
“You were lucky,” Miss Beaumont said,giggling.
“Ahem.” He straightened his shoulders. “What sort of novels are you searching for, MissBeaumont?”
His teasing tone was rewarded by a smile that curved her lips as she studied the shelves of books around them. “I’m afraid you will judge me harshly if Iadmitit.”
“Nonsense. I would never judge a lady, especially a beguiling one.” Was that a coquettish tilt to her head as she flicked a gaze his way? James pressed on, crossing his index finger over his heart in achildlikeway.
She laughed, though her eyes glanced away from his before raising to meet them again. “Very well.” She lifted her chin. “I rather enjoy gothic novels. L. R. Gloucester has a new book out.Lady Gloria and theEarnestEarl.”
Castles, supernatural forces, and dire stakes were something that delighted her? James couldn’t fault her for that; he had a fondness for such thingsaswell.
“I’ve read one or two of those. Most amusing, if I do say so. Towers and storms and passionate affairs. It’s exciting, isn’t it?” He trailed a fingertip along the shelf nearest him, tapping the spine of each book as hewalked.
