A Hero and A Gentleman by JoMarie DeGioia

Author:JoMarie DeGioia [DeGioia, JoMarie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lachesis Publishing Inc
Published: 2015-10-29T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

The next morning, Taylor tried to push aside her misgivings, at least for a few hours. He hadn’t stayed with her last night. He’d kissed her with so much heat she’d nearly burst into flames but he hadn’t stayed. Her heart raced even now as she thought of his lips on hers. Of his hands on her body. She’d still been sore, though. No doubt he knew that. It was but another point that proved he was far more worldly than she.

Perhaps Blake regretted his offer of marriage, but she had no doubt he’d keep his word. About the marriage and about finding Robert.

She’d seen enough of his honor in her time at The Hideaway, and taken with what she remembered of the boy she’d loved in Sussex, she knew he was stubborn as well. But what if he couldn’t find her brother? The prospect caused a knife of pain through her heart. Surely Blake would feel the loss as keenly, but he’d feel guilt as well. Guilt that he’d lost his friend and broken his promise. Would their union survive that? She ran her fingers through her hair and let out a string of mild curses.

Sally bustled into the room, the picture of efficiency as she directed the tub and towels and buckets of water brought by the lads who assisted Mrs. Mott. “Your bath, Miss,” she said with a nod.

Taylor thanked her and once more ensconced in the solitude of the chamber, she pinned her hair upon her head and sank into the steaming, fragrant water. Blake was stubborn. But her father and Robert hadn’t raised her to be a simpering miss who let her life be directed with no will of her own. Hadn’t she come to The Hideaway alone and found herself a place here? True, the place she was now poised to occupy hadn’t dared present itself to her when she’d first arrived, but she had taken that chance in any case. And Blake would keep his word to her despite any of his own misgivings. To find Robert and to marry her. Would he take such liberties with her and then treat her as nothing more than one of his many mistresses despite their new arrangement?

“Not bloody likely.”

She scrubbed her skin and hurried with her bath. Sally returned as Taylor sat in the little chair, clad in chemise, petticoat, and new stays. The girl remarked upon the weather and the like, her comments requiring no true response from Taylor save for a nod or murmur of agreement. Thankfully, Sally soon fell into her habit of humming, comforting Taylor with the routine of soft sounds and nimble fingers as she plaited and wound her hair.

The lady’s maid took her leave. Taylor’s conviction wavered as she chose a dress to wear. The pretty little day dresses already hung in the small wardrobe, no doubt the work of the ever-mindful Sally. Taylor let her hands drift over the lovely flower-sprigged gowns, the bright pink and

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