Perfect Bride by Samantha James

Author:Samantha James [James, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, General
ISBN: 9780061794926
Google: XVvTEpSyZ7QC
Amazon: 0060006617
Publisher: Avon
Published: 2004-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

alking into Sebastian’s study the next morning was difficult. Facing him, she suspected, would not be easy, for she was still smarting from his re buke. In fact, she did an about-face at least three times before she was even halfway across the floor of her room. Regardless of what had occurred the night before, she was going to have to face him again sometime. She dreaded it with every fiber of her be ing, but what would be served by prolonging her agony? Thus reasoning, she threw open her bed room door and marched down the stairs.

She paused at the door to his study. He was seated behind his desk, busily writing. The morning light cast his profile in stark relief, arresting and noble and proud. Her heart went out to him, for he ap peared tired; there were faint grooves beside his mouth.

Her eyes slipped to his hands, so lean and strong. Her pulse gave an odd little flutter. For an instant, she remembered the way he’d fitted their hands to gether last night. It made her ache inside—and nearly sent her fleeing before he saw her.

But something held her there, some force beyond her control. And when he glanced up and saw her, she didn’t look away. She couldn’t.

For the span of a heartbeat, their eyes tangled. Se bastian didn’t shrink from her regard, but she could detect nothing of his thoughts. She held her breath and braced herself inside, waiting tensely for what would come next.

A heavy brow slanted. His mouth carried the faintest hint of amusement as it curved into a faint smile. “There’s no need to stand there,” he said al most lightly. “You hardly need an invitation.”

Swallowing hard, Devon stepped forward. His de meanor was...well, quite normal. It was reassuring...and yet not so reassuring. He acted as if nothing had happened the previous night.

She didn’t know what to make of it. She didn’t know what to make of him.

So it was that beneath the roof of the Sterling resi dence, matters continued much as before. The days turned into a week, a week turned into several.

More than ever, Devon was determined not to fail in her studies. She would find a post as governess or companion. No matter that she had entered late in the game, she would succeed.

And learning to read had opened up the world, in a way she had never dreamed it would. History was a favorite. To her it was never dry or boring. She loved stepping into a world of faraway places and distant times. She had a definite dislike for mathe matics, but she applied herself prodigiously, and Se bastian was pleased.

Given her newfound interest, she had taken to reading every night. As long she was here, she was determined to avail herself of Sebastian’s library.

On this particular night, just after midnight she closed a small, leather-bound book. Sebastian had found another book of folklore, and she had enjoyed it immensely. She wasn’t tired, and she knew she wouldn’t sleep if she tried, so why bother?

A visit to the library was in order, she decided.

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