Lady Lightfingers by Janet Woods

Author:Janet Woods [Woods, Janet]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, General, History, Historical, Romance, Love Stories, Pickpockets, England, Aunts, London (England), Theft, London, Crime, Poor Women, 19th Century
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2011-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

‘James Kent is a fine gentleman,’ Harriet said with a faint smile.

‘I think he’s attracted to you, too,’ Celia teased, which earned her a reproving look.

‘I did not say I was attracted to him, Celia.’

‘But you are, aren’t you?’

‘I refuse to answer that.’ Harriet laughed and threw a cushion at her.

The three of them went down together, and James introduced them. There were magistrates and churchmen present, including a bishop. And there was a younger man – a man who made Celia’s heart thud with sudden alarm.

‘This is my partner, Charles Curtis. Chas, may I introduce Miss Harriet Price and Miss Celia Laws from Hanbury Cross.’

‘My pleasure, ladies.’

Charles Curtis was tall, taller than Celia remembered, and more handsome. The youthfulness he’d displayed the last time they’d met had been honed into an interestingly angled, and manly face. His eyes were still as black as night, his hair a dark torrent and his mouth . . . her own tingled and flamed into life as the kiss was remembered in all its glory to crowd into her senses. How could the effects of a kiss, even one so potent as the one they’d exchanged, last such an annoyingly long time?

She felt herself fall apart. The effect he had on her was catastrophic, especially when she gazed into his eyes. The least of that problem was that he might recognize her. She was a crumble of shards . . . a small pile of rubble at his feet, waiting to be rebuilt.

Then she remembered she’d used the name of Lizzie Carter and began to breathe easier.

‘Ah . . .’ he said, as though he’d just tasted something that had given him much pleasure, and his smile became, all at once, ironic. ‘I understand you’re to be part of the entertainment for the evening, Miss Laws. A little romantic story for our delight, no doubt.’

How patronizing of him to assume such a thing. ‘Please feel free to leave if something as mundane as romance displeases you, but preferably not when I’m reading. If you do I shall take off my shoe and throw it at your retreating back.’

He chuckled at that. ‘I shall make a point of staying if it will make you happy.’

‘I shall try to contain my delirium at the notion.’

His eyes suddenly impaled her. ‘Have we met before, Miss Laws? I feel as though I should know you.’

He didn’t recognize her! She drew her defences around her. She would get through this with as much coolness as she could muster. Her nerves cemented themselves together again and she said, ‘We may have, though I can’t remember you.’

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. ‘How crushing it is not to be remembered . . . or is this a defensive stance you’re taking because we danced together at Mrs Maybury’s summer ball and I trod all over your toes?’

A huff of spontaneous laughter escaped her. Although fascinating, he had a streak of arrogance that pleased her. ‘Yes, I agree, it is crushing not to be remembered.

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