A Wallflower's Christmas Wreath by Tamara Gill

Author:Tamara Gill [Gill, Tamara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tamara Gill

Heidi did not particularly like how her body reacted to Matthew's touch. Of course, when they were children, they often hugged, played, and ran about, but now everything was different.

They were both adults with adult thoughts, wants, and needs.

That her body had wanted to push into his caress like a cat obtaining a pat was not what she needed right now.

Her life was disheveled, a constant struggle to remain fed and clothed. She had only come up to the Levinstone Estate to berate the viscount, not allow him to touch her in inappropriate ways.

No matter how enticing that thought was or how utterly delightful his hands on her felt.

"We have not sat on the floor before a fire like this for many years. I did not think I would be doing so when I arrived here this afternoon. I thought I would be home by now, seeing out the storm in my cottage."

"I should have called on you. I feel that with one argument we had, we threw away a perfectly good friendship."

Without thought, Heidi reached out, clasping his hand. His fingers entwined with hers, and knots settled in her stomach. This time, however, she did not pull away.

Their eyes met.

Held.

"I should not have remained so angry at you, especially when I heard you had not married Lady Emma. I should have been there for you, helped you through your difficult time, even if we were at odds over your ball and whom you invited."

He played with her fingers, inspecting them, his brow furrowed in thought. He was so handsome. That had never changed about him. The boy she knew had grown into a tall, athletic, strong man who caught the eye of anyone who saw him.

She was no different.

Whenever he walked or rode into town, she had found herself at the window, hidden by shadows, watching him, admiring the view. That he had always looked in her cottage’s direction soothed the hurt she felt at his cut.

"I was not so very sad. How terrible do you think me now?" he said, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. "I did not love her. In fact, most of the time, I do not think I cared for her at all, but she would suit the title of viscountess and bear me children. How hollow and unfeeling I was."

"There is a woman out in the world for you, my lord, just as there is a man for me too, we merely have to find them."

He met her eyes, his attention dipping to her lips. "I do not like the idea of you marrying. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

Heidi swallowed, unwilling to be so honest and tell him the thought of him marrying Lady Emma had broken her heart.

She had lost her only friend in the process and possibly the only man she had ever wanted to fill the position of husband for her. Not that she could admit such a thing to him.

Nor could she ever.

For a moment, neither spoke before Matthew, with excruciating slowness, leaned toward her.

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