Plain English by Rachel Spangler

Author:Rachel Spangler [Spangler, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bywater Books
Published: 2022-01-10T16:18:11+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Pip was perfect in so many ways Claire admired. Looks, obviously, were the first thing to come to mind, and she’d let her mind linger there on many occasions, but the more time they spent together, the more Claire fixated on other things as well. The delicious blend of confidence and self-deprecation. Their flawless way with words mixed with a willingness to admit what they didn’t know. The impeccable social graces tinged with an emerging vulnerability. The respect Pip showed for her dreams, her talent, her fears, combined with an almost compulsive desire to test those boundaries right up to the limit before easing back with a smile and a sure hand.

All those contradictions swirled around her as they strolled arm and arm through the oldest parts of Edinburgh. The fading light cast long shadows that covered even the widest streets in this area of the city, and Claire clung to Pip’s strong arm for fear of stumbling over the uneven cobblestone crosswalks.

“If I’d known where you were taking me, I would have worn lower heels.”

“And what a shame that would’ve been,” Pip said breezily. “Also, you might not have boarded the train.”

“First class was a bit much for a forty-five-minute ride.”

Pip grinned as they had while they’d led Claire down the narrow aisle of the train into the lush seats where they were served drinks before they’d even fully picked up speed. “And yet I saw no other nobility in our vicinity, just normal businesspeople making a late return from the city, proving there was nothing aristocratic about our mode of travel.”

“How can you be sure? Do you know every aristocrat in the country?”

Pip laughed. “I almost certainly do, and what with all the inbreeding, I’m related to most of them. Why do you think my sister’s off in Italy to find a husband? She’s hoping to diversify the gene pool.”

Claire laughed.

“You think I’m joking? I’ve got six toes on one foot.”

Claire’s feet faltered. “Do you really?”

Pip paused long enough to concern her before grinning again. “No, but you wouldn’t have been shocked, would you?”

“I’m not sure anything about you could shock me at this point.”

“That sounds like the most wonderful challenge.”

“I don’t think you need to put any effort into the chase. You manage to do fine while being yourself.”

Pip snugged her arm closer, pulling Claire flush against their side. “And yet you’re still here.”

“Yes.” Claire regarded them more closely, the proud chin, the slant of their nose, the glint in those eyes, and her body reacted the way it always did as a steady dose of arousal dripped into her veins. “I suppose this virus hasn’t run its course yet because I still feel a little feverish when I get too close to you.”

“Now that you mention it, I felt a little woozy earlier when you kissed me.”

“Then you’re still symptomatic. My legs grew a little weak when you walked in wearing that . . . that . . . perfection.” The last word came out

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