Improper Pleasures (The Pleasure Series) by Howe Cheryl

Author:Howe, Cheryl [Howe, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Cheryl Howe
Published: 2012-09-22T04:00:00+00:00

***

Back at Eastlan, James sat on the marble steps that led to the garden and sucked on the cigar Bainbridge had given him to take home and marveled at his good fortune. The smoke wafting around his head instantly brought him back to his life at sea where the scent typically mingled with the smells of exotic foreign cargo and, best of all, freedom. A moonless night left Eastlan’s grounds in a blanket of darkness. Gray clouds blocked out all but a few valiant stars. A chorus of frogs called from the distant pond. He’d not expected to like the English countryside so much. Still, knowing that this leg of his journey was only temporary, another port in many, didn’t give him the rush it usually did.

“What are you doing out here? There’s a chill in the air.” Astra’s voice had him turning abruptly with a jolt of excitement. He hadn’t expected her at all.

“I used to smoke these when in port.” He lifted the cigar in explanation though he was sure she smelled it the moment she stepped outside. “I’ve missed them.” James turned and smiled at Astra, pleased beyond reason that she had sought him out.

Her frown was clearly visible in the weak starlight.

“I won’t smoke them inside. Promise.” He held the cigar downwind, hoping it would blow into the garden. Her tight features didn’t relax in the least.

“Do as you please, James. It is your home.” She stiffened and clasped her hands protectively in front of her.

James decided to ignore the quiet hostility in her words until he could decipher what he’d done exactly to deserve it. After his misstep with Lark, he was sure he’d said something thoughtless during the long day. Wesley had returned with them in the carriage so they’d yet to have a chance to speak privately. “Did you persuade Lark to go back to sleep?”

“I blew out the candle, but I suspect she’s still awake.” Astra sighed loudly. “I must check on her later to make sure she doesn’t slip from her room and try to find her way to Rosemound on her own.”

“Are you still angry with me?” James snubbed out the cigar, suspecting her need to check on Lark again more of a ploy to avoid him. Though he accepted her silence in the carriage as exhaustion, he no longer could bear it. He stood and faced her.

She shrugged but the gesture appeared anything but casual. “I was never angry with you, James.”

“But you didn’t enjoy yourself this evening. Are the Bainbridges so beneath you?”

Even in the darkness, he could see her recoil at his words. She blinked as if she held back tears, forcing James to feel like a cad for directing his sudden burst of frustration onto her. He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

She tried to push from his embrace but he held her tight. “Someone might see us.”

Keeping her close to his side, he guided her into a dark corner of the patio.

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