Oh, Cherry Ripe by Conn Claudy

Author:Conn, Claudy [Conn, Claudy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: BC Publications
Published: 2014-01-14T05:00:00+00:00

~ Fourteen ~

DINNER HAD BEEN consumed in a strained atmosphere. Freddy was not yet home, which seemed to be an ominous cloud that hung over them all.

For Cherry other matters also kept a shroud over her mood. Until he’d appeared on Post Road, she had not seen his lordship since she slipped out of his bed, donned her nightdress, and hurried down the long corridor to her own small room. He had been gone in the morning, and since then she’d had mixed emotions floating about her head.

His lovemaking had taken her mind, her heart, and she felt even her soul to another level of awareness. However, she saw the world with open eyes and knew society would condemn her for her wanton behavior. She told herself she didn’t care and that what ‘society didn’t know—they didn’t need to know,’ which of course made her smile. However, what did really concern her was what did he think of her? She glanced sideways at him hurriedly lest he catch her looking and noticed the thoughtful expression in his dark blues before she turned away.

Sky took up his snifter of brandy from the sideboard and looked directly at Cherry as she played a card game with the children. Francine lost her hand and sighed. “I’m tired … think I’ll go up to bed.”

Felix surprised Cherry and his lordship by agreeing to this, and then Cherry caught a sly smile as she watched the two kiss Sky’s cheek and turn to run and hug her tightly. She said lightly to them, “I’ll come and tuck you in.”

“No,” returned Francine. “You stay, Miss Cherry … ’tis a nice fire. Felix and I—well, we’ll just go wash up and play another game in our rooms.”

Again, the funny little smile appeared on Francine’s face before they left the library. Cherry turned to his lordship, all too aware that Francine had closed the library door, and said softly, “I think I’ll turn in as well.”

He reached for and caught her fingers. “No.” He pulled her towards him. “Wait awhile yet.” He moved to the sideboard and poured her a cup of coffee with a dab of cream and handed it to her. “I have noticed that you like a cup after dinner.”

She felt a warm glow as she took the cup from him and he bade her be seated. She couldn’t believe how shy she felt and took a ladies’ chair across from him, rather than sit on the sofa beside him. Only a few nights before she had been wildly, erotically, passionately in his arms. Now, she couldn’t meet his eyes. She turned towards the fire and sipped her coffee. She could feel him watching her. Something began vibrating in her chest. It was vibrating so strongly she thought he might hear it … was that her heart?

“I … we … I thought we might talk.”

“Talk?” Oh no, was he going to send her away?

“About Freddy,” he said after a moment, looking at her intently. “Has Freddy told you something I should … at this point know?”

She shook her head.

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