Page 21 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
Chapter 5
“Feeling any better?" He stood on the threshold, the cut glass brandy bottle in one hand and two glasses in the other.
"I will when you pour me a bit of that." Less anxious for her injury after her rest, she could appreciate him even more. Plus she'd donned her hated glasses. And oh, my. The earl of Charlton was a handsome creature. With or without her spectacles, she could see that. He had kept on his frock coat, no concession to comfort abandoned, she surmised, in the interest of keeping up propriety. It wouldn't do to tend a lady in her rooms in his shirtsleeves. Fifi had her imagination to offer her impressions of how muscular his arms were. How sturdy his thighs. In the fine navy wool of his coat, he seemed as broad in the shoulders as the Bath blacksmith. And in the contrast between his silver blue silk waistcoat and the soft cambric of his shirt, he was kissed by the sun. If she longed to run her fingers through the wealth of his dark brown hair, she put that to how close she'd come to such advances while secure in his arms.
He gave a chuckle and strode forward. His legs were long, his stride certain. If she had not experienced the generosity of his care, she would have said he looked assertive. Or perhaps, just very pleased with himself...and her.
He poured her a hearty measure of the aromatic liquid and put it in her outstretched hand. "Drink up. You can. No one will know except you and me."
She took a sip and savored the warm delight as it slid down her throat. The relief that swept through her was not due to spirits but because he was near and smiling at her fondly. "I will be well foxed if you ply me with liquor often."
"Never to worry, Lady Fiona. I would never do anything to lure you to what you do not want."
Disappointment flashed through her that he'd not tempt her to more intimacies of caresses or kisses. Of necessity, she said, "I applaud your devotion to my care."
He ran his gaze from her eyes to her lips and back again. "I wager you do not often stray from any prudent path."
That prickled. Did he know that she should not even speak to him, let alone discuss breaches of etiquette or...drinking alcohol to excess?
"What did I say to distress you?" He took the chair opposite and leaned forward. "I meant only to make you smile. Yet you frown. It seems I make a muddle of trying to enchant you. I apologize."
His words made her giddy. "Are you?"
"What?"
"Trying to enchant me?"
He considered the brandy in his glass. Then locked his marvelous mellow grey eyes on hers. "Might I have a chance to do that?"
Despite the way she'd mistaken him for Northington and the way she'd reacted like a missish schoolgirl to his ministrations, she wanted his attentions. Even though she played with a fire that could consume her if and when she learned the reasons her father banned her from uttering Charlton's very name.
Her silence had given him reason to rise. His expression was forlorn. "Forgive me, my lady, I will go and leave you to—"
She caught his arm. "Please don't. I enjoy your company."
He halted, but peered down at her as he fought a frown. "I don't wish to prevail upon your good graces."
"You don't. It is I who... I am not used to a man's attentions."
"I find that hard to understand."
She rolled a shoulder and bit her lip. He was so kind, so complimentary. "I don't attend many functions."
He sat down again and took one hand in his. "I haven't been in many drawing rooms, either. But I'd like to learn how to navigate one."
She tipped her head. "You must not fear in that regard. You are kind and you like to laugh."
"Do I?" His words were whispered caresses as he laced his fingers in hers. "I am most pleased you noticed."
"Oh, I have noticed much—"
A spark of mischief lit his eyes. "Oh? Such as?"
"Your strength." She was so forward to utter that. But like a girl uncaring of consequences, she rushed onward. "Your resilience. Your gentleness with me."
He lifted her hand to his lips and once more sent ripples of heat through her body as he kissed each fingertip. "You deserve it. My father taught me that ladies are worthy of the finest regard."
Had he? How noble. She blinked. So opposite was his father's lessons from the teachings of her own father.
