In Your Arms Again by Smith Kathryn

Author:Smith, Kathryn [Smith, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780060527426
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2004-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

When North went round to collect Octavia for their next excursion, he made certain he borrowed a carriage from Brahm rather than resorting to hiring another hack. Octavia’s roots might have taken hold in the same soil as his, but they had blossomed into something much different. She was used to having a fine conveyance, and even if he wasn’t, the least he could do was ensure her comfort.

It was what a gentleman should do, he reminded himself. Besides, that remark she had made about them walking to the event still stung. That was no doubt the reason for the strange sensation of having his guts tied into knots. He was doing his best gentleman impersonation that evening—a part he hadn’t wanted to play for quite some time.

Would Octavia, damn her eyes, notice that his jaw was freshly shaved? Or that his hair was newly trimmed and somewhat tamed by a tiny amount of pomade pilfered from Brahm’s valet? And if Octavia did notice, would she care?

Not that it should matter one bit if she did. In fact, it would be easier if she didn’t give a rat’s ass about his appearance. He was no smarter than any other man when it came to the fairer sex, but even he understood what was happening between him and his childhood friend. The attraction between them was obvious—to each of them if not to anyone else.

The question was, how much more could he—or she—take before they gave in? It wouldn’t be as though she were being unfaithful to Spinton. Technically they weren’t yet betrothed. But it wasn’t so simple as that. Physical intimacy would make it that much harder to walk away when this was over. To entertain the idea that they might have a future was folly—and indicated a deeper commitment than he wanted to entertain. They were from different worlds now—she didn’t belong in his and he could never truly live in hers.

Sex would make the situation all the more complicated—and neither one of them needed that. But need and want didn’t necessarily always agree. He had wanted to be a part of his brothers’ world, but he didn’t need it. Not anymore. At least, he didn’t think he did.

Octavia met him at the door in a gown of bronze satin. It matched the shimmering depths of her hair and made her skin look like the purest alabaster, accentuating the delicate rise of her breasts. He took her gold silk shawl from her hand and placed it over her shoulders. Beneath his gloves, his fingers itched to touch the warm softness of her flesh.

“You look lovely, Vie.” Lovely didn’t even begin to describe it, but he had to at least try to tame his wild enthusiasm for her. He could feel it, but giving it voice was unwise and dangerous.

She gazed at him as though he had told her she was the most beautiful woman in the world, which he supposed he had. He wasn’t much on physical appearance, or complimenting it.

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