Eloisa James - An Affair Before Christmas by An Affair Before Christmas

Author:An Affair Before Christmas [Christmas, An Affair Before]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-16T17:26:49.524000+00:00

“He had a wife?

Jemma nodded and turned away to greet a friend, so Poppy sat there and thought about the fact that a nobleman notorious for his illicit liaisons had apparently desired his wife and loved his wife. But she was learning that this wasnt a fruitful way to thinkso she banished all thought of Fletch, at least until he bowed before her.

For a moment she just gaped up at him. “What on earth are you doing here?

“I could say the same for you, he said. “I had no idea you were interested in scientific matters, Poppy.

She rose, finally, and dropped a curtsy, wishing that Jemma would return, but Jemma had drifted away into a cloud of chattering noblemen. “This is my first visit, she said. And then: “Could you leave, Fletch. Please?

“Leave? he said. “Why would I do that?

“Because this is very awkward, she hissed, sitting down.

He promptly sat down beside her.

“Jemma is sitting there.

“Why should I leave?

“You cannot possibly be interested in things of this nature, Poppy said. “And I am.

“You are?

“Yes, and I would feel awkward if you were here. Please, may I ask you as a favor to leave?

“You may ask but Im not leaving. He scowled at her and folded his arms. “After all, you said we were to be friends.

Poppy felt a pulse of anxiety that he was irritated. She gave herself a mental shake and said brightly, “Then of course youre welcome to stay. Surely your friend Gill must be here? Isnt he coming to greet me?

“He is not here. Why do you ask?

“Because you never do anything without Gill? she suggested. “Because if youre at an intellectual pursuit, it must be an interest of Gills?

“Thats quite an insult, he said in a very even tone.

“I dont mean it to be. Look, theres Dr. Loudan, and since I explicitly asked him to come, I must greet him. If youll excuse me, Fletch.

She was gone.

Fletch stared after her in dumbfounded surprise. When he pictured meeting Poppy, he didnt imagine her prancing away from him. Or smiling up at a young man with a long nose andFletch felt his fists curl and he was on his feet before he realized it.

He walked through the crowd and eased behind Poppy where she couldnt see him. For some reason he was quite certain that she wouldnt welcome his presence.

“I found the notes you sent me on the sloths hind feet fascinating, she was telling this Dr. Loudan. He was short. Well, perhaps he wasnt short but he was shorter than Fletch. I could take him, Fletch thought contemptuously. Then, eyeing his shoulders, it would be a fair fight too.

But I could take him.

I will take him, said a thrumming beat in his head as he watched the scientist beam at Jemma. They appeared to be talking about sea otters. What did Poppy know of otters? Oddly, she seemed to know quite a lot, given that she was comparing the beasts to common English river otters.

Five minutes later, Poppy hadnt looked up from Dr.

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