The Lady Most Likely... by Julia Quinn

Author:Julia Quinn
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780062037411
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2011-12-27T23:00:00+00:00

As the party finished their dessert and waited for their hostess to lead the ladies out, Kate glanced for the hundredth time at Neill. She was entirely too aware of him for her peace of mind, too aware of the changes time had wrought in him. His face, once so easy to read, was guarded by a smooth and somber expression. The animation that marked his movements had vanished, leaving him still. He was changed. Too changed?

She’d been trying not to look at him all evening, certain others would note it if she did. But then he’d become deeply engaged in conversation with Miss Mottram and she’d found herself staring and all of a sudden her mind’s eye was filled with memories of their last meeting, of the taste of his lips, the rock hardness of his chest, the wild, hunted expression in his eyes. She’d fled back to her home from that purloined kiss and spent the next two days sobbing silently into her pillow, pleading illness rather than providing her family with explanations.

Neill had written; she’d torn the letters to shreds, unopened. He’d appeared at the door, demanding an interview; she had him sent away, knowing that even Neill wasn’t going to break into their home uninvited. Though part of her wished he had. Why would he? Only a man madly in love would do such a thing. Neill, had he been madly in love, certainly would have. He would have stormed the castle and breached the dragon’s den. But Neill wasn’t madly in love.

But he would be.

When she’d done crying and abusing him, when she’d given up trying not to love him, when it had become clear that her heart was profoundly loyal and that once given it could not be taken back, she had rallied and vowed that when Neill Oakes returned, he would return to a woman. Not a child. One with experience—which her two London seasons had garnered her—one who’d been kissed—which she had. In other words, a woman who was his match.

When she’d discovered that he’d been invited to the Finchley’s house party, she’d accepted her own invitation. Once here, she’d commenced flirting with Briarly just enough to spark Neill’s competitive drive. Since he must always win, she must represent herself as the prize. But when he had appeared, instead of entering the field as a contender for her hand, he’d done so in the guise of chaperone. Oh! The ignominy of it! And oh, how much changed he’d become. So distant and disciplined. So aloof …

DuPreye had muttered something in her ear, and she came to with a start to find Neill’s gaze upon her. At once, heat flooded her face, betraying her. A moment later, Neill rose from his chair and came toward her. She waited, shivering with trepidation, but he hadn’t spoken to her at all. He’d only smiled and clapped DuPreye on the back and told him something she couldn’t hear.

Why hadn’t he spoken to her? True, she’d not spoken to him either, but that was for a very good reason.

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