Lisa Kleypas - Bow Street Runner 03 by Worth Any Price

Author:Worth Any Price [Price, Worth Any]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-11-25T23:59:23+00:00

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

They continued in silence, making their way over a muddy patch and following the sunken road to a footbridge that covered a small stream. On the other side of the stream, a damp meadow beckoned, blazing with waist-high yellow meadowsweet bushes. “This way,” Lottie said, lifting her skirts to her knees as they traversed grass and heather and approached a barrier of hedge and fence. “Beyond the hedge, the footpath leads back through the forest to Stony Cross Park.” She pointed to the tall arched gate, so narrow that it would allow only one person to pass through at a time. Glancing at Lord Sydney, she was relieved to see that he had recovered his composure. “The only way through is that kissing gate.”

“Why is it called that?”

“I don’t know.” Lottie considered the gatethoughtfully. “I suppose because a kiss would be the unavoidable consequence of two people trying to pass through it at the same time.”

“An interesting theory.” Sydney paused inside the narrow gate. Leaning against one side of it, he sent her a challenging smile, knowing full well that she could not go through without brushing against him.

Lottie raised her brows. “By some chance are you expecting me to test it?” Lord Sydney lifted one shoulder in a relaxed shrug, watching her with a vagabond charm that was nearly irresistible. “I won’t stop you, if you feel so inclined.” It was obvious that he did not expect her to take up the challenge. Lottie knew she had only to roll her eyes and reprove him and he would step aside. However, as she considered her response to him she became aware of a painful hollowness inside. She had not been touched by anyone in two years. No impulsive girlish hugs from her friends at Maidstone’s…no caress of her mother’s hand, no sweetly childish kisses from her younger siblings. She wondered what it was about this man that had made her aware of the deprivation. He made her want to tell him her secrets—which was, of course, unthinkable.

Impossible. She could never trust anyone, when her very life was at stake.

She realized that Lord Sydney’s smile had vanished. Without being aware of it, she had drawn closer to him and now stood within arm’s length. Her gaze flickered to his mouth, so wide, masculine,full. Her pulse escalated to a wild rhythm as temptation exerted a force stronger than anything she had ever known…as strong as fear, as deep as hunger.

“Hold still,” she heard herself say. Carefully she laid a hand on the center of his chest.

The instant that Lottie touched him, Lord Sydney’s chest moved beneath her palm in a strong, quick breath.

The violent thump of his heart against her fingers filled Lottie with a curious tenderness. He seemed to be frozen, as if he feared that any movement might frighten her away. Softly she touched his lower lip with her fingertips and felt his hot breath fan against them. A butterfly left its resting place on the gate and flew away, a trembling stain of color in the air.

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