Midsummer Magic by Catherine Coulter

Author:Catherine Coulter [Coulter, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Large Type Books, Love Stories, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency Fiction, Twins
ISBN: 9780786223480
Google: mmVy_UkYvzUC
Amazon: 0451209192
Publisher: Signet
Published: 1986-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

16

The best laid schemes o' mice and men

Gang aft a-gley.

—ROBERT BURNS

"It's not fair, Alicia! Oh, why did he have to come back? I had thought that he wouldn't return until Christmas! All my plans, everything is in a heap!"

"Now, Frances, calm yourself," Alicia said, gently patting Frances on her bare arm. "I'm pleased that you didn't retreat again—indeed, my love, you look quite lovely. The blue silk does wonders for your eyes. I am not certain what color they are now. I am almost persuaded to be jealous of you. John looks at you like he does at a lovely dessert."

"So will Hawk," said Frances, her voice sounding as dispirited as she felt. She banged her fist against her dressing table and her hairbrush jumped and slid onto the carpet. "He told me it was guilt that brought him back! Likely tale, that!"

Indeed he would think her beautiful, thought Alicia. What a marvelous tangle! So Hawk had told her he felt guilty? Most curious. She said, "Come along, Frances, we must go downstairs. The gentlemen will be waiting. You don't wish to take the chance of Hawk coming up and dragging you down, do you?"

"He would, wouldn't he? Alicia, stop laughing! None of this is in the least funny! Oh, very well, let us join the precious gentlemen!"

John Bourchier, a slender, somewhat myopic young gentleman, was standing next to the fireplace, speaking in his measured way about his estate. He had said nothing about Frances' transformation. He was a gentleman. Still, he couldn't wait to observe Frances and Hawk together.

He droned on about drainage problems in his northern acres, and Hawk, barely concealing his impatience with his longtime friend, downed more sherry.

"Good evening again," Alicia said gaily, sweeping into the drawing room. She trusted that Frances was following her. "John, dear, may Frances and I have a glass of sherry?"

"Certainly," said John, not daring to look at Hawk's face.

Frances looked so lovely it was like staring directly into the sun. Hawk felt something deep inside him tighten, but he was easily able to ignore it at the sight of two angry spots on her cheeks and the wary, irritated look in her eyes. Were they more blue than gray? His eyes fell to her bosom. "How very charming, my dear," he said, his voice honey smooth, his gaze moving reluctantly from her breasts back to her face. Frances merely nodded, and let him lift her hand and plant a light kiss on her wrist. He held it and she shot him a look that could kill were it a pistol.

"Most fetching," John agreed, nodding to both ladies.

"I fear that Frances has quite outdone me," Alicia said provocatively, her eyes twinkling at Hawk.

"She has outdone all of us, it would seem," Hawk said to no one in particular.

Frances knew her hands were sweaty and she rubbed them on her skirt. She looked up to see Hawk gazing at her with such a knowing look that she wanted to strike him.

"Ah, Otis!" Her relief at the butler's presence was as palpable as a Christian being rescued from the lions.

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