Michele Bekemeyer - [Scandals of the Heart 02] by At Journey's End

Author:At Journey's End [End, At Journey's]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Charles had returned from his morning ride feeling anxious and restless, thoughts of Miss Pope clouding his head. Fenwick’s reminder that he had a meeting with his solicitors left Charles little time to change before heading out. Brown & Brown held offices just around the corner from Bond Street and Charles planned on stopping at the bookstore once he had concluded his business. A new book on statistical methods had made its way to the shelves. He'd been eager as a child at Christmas to get his hands on it.

For almost two minutes, he’d considered finding a nearby bench and flipping through the pages.

Then he spotted Alexandra. Unlike many of the women walking along Bond Street, the Duchess of Tolland included, Alexandra was not surrounded by footmen laden with boxes from her latest purchases. If she’d purchased anything at all, it must have been small enough to fit into her reticule.

His own purchase, he noticed, had lost its luster and was dangling from suddenly disinterested fingers.

Charles hesitated, about to move in the opposite direction when he realized that unless Alexandra happened to glance up very soon, she would walk right into him. His muscles tightened in

anticipation. The collision would provide an opening for conversation, but would it be worth the torment of having her body against his? You could use the opportunity to apologize for your behavior last night. “Indeed I could,” he said to himself. “If, of course, she doesn’t look up and spot you first.”

She drew closer, and he opened his book and pretended to flip through the pages, taking cautious steps forward as he held his breath. Luck had often been on his side when it came to women in general, but never when it came to her. He glanced up, half expecting her to have noticed him and turned in a different direction. Instead, she was less than three feet away and completely absorbed by her maid's words. He stifled a grin and braced himself for the impact. The instant her body connected with his, he reached his arms out to steady her.

"Oh!" Her fingers wrapped around his forearms.

He had only a moment to appreciate her touch, the feel of her slender frame colliding with his, before she looked up, a mighty frown marring her features. "Lady Alexandra," he said, aiming for a smile. At the sound of his voice, she leapt out of his arms. Her maid, he noted, had moved a few respectful steps away. At least someone had full use of their faculties.

"Lord Winterley." The greeting came tight as a violin bow.

Charles supposed he could expect no less after his behavior the previous evening, but still, the sharp tone of disdain cut through him.

"I did not see you there."

"No, I can see you didn't," he said with a gentle smile.

Her brow furrowed and she glanced around. As if she felt obliged to continue the conversation, she asked, "What brings you to Bond Street at this time of day?"

"A book," he said simply, then realized he had dropped it in the collision.

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