Love Only Once by Brenda Jernigan

Author:Brenda Jernigan [Jernigan, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

and now she found herself in his arms. How long had it been since he’d held her? Too long, her mind screamed.

“This seems to be the only way I can talk to you,” Jonathan finally said. “Are you flirting with every man here, or are you simply choos-ing a future husband?”

Good. He was jealous. It took all Elizabeth’s will power not to smile.

Maybe he had been paying attention, after all. “You know what they say about variety,” she said matter-of-factly. “I want to make sure I find the perfect mate.”

“Finding your mate, as you put it, is supposed to be my job,” he responded sharply. “I’ve been checking, and I think Baron Sandys would do nicely. He doesn’t care for London and was a good father and husband to his last two wives.”

“Who are both dead,” Elizabeth pointed out. “And, he is a bit old, wouldn’t you say?”

“But stable and rich,” Jonathan returned. “Sometimes, you must have tradeoffs.”

“Perhaps you do, but I don’t.” She could feel her temper heating.

How dare he put her with any old coot just to get his job over and done with! She looked around and realized they had waltzed into a corner and he was holding her far too close. And, unfortunately for her, it felt wonderful, and was keeping her completely off balance.

She made the mistake of glancing up at him and their gazes met and locked. And for a moment, there was no outside world . . . just the sizzle of the stare. No words . . . only silent communication that made her feel numb all over. She wanted to kiss him so much that it hurt, but if she did it would ruin all her efforts. With great difficulty, she finally dragged her gaze away.

“I think you will have to do a better job of picking my future husband. Think young,” Elizabeth informed him. She glanced around. “I believe the music has stopped.”

Jonathan waited a few moments before he finally released her and said, “So it has.”

Elizabeth turned and made her way on wobbly knees over to where Tiffany was talking to a devilishly handsome gentleman dressed all in black except for a brilliant white cravat.

“Here she is now.” Tiffany held a glass of tepid lemonade out to Elizabeth who gratefully took it.

114

Love Only Once

“Thank you,” Elizabeth said and took a sip. It would be better if the lemonade was much stronger, she thought. Especially if she had to stay around Jonathan any longer.

Tiffany touched Elizabeth’s elbow. “I would like you to meet my good friend, Beau Brummell. Remember, I told you about him.”

Elizabeth stared at one of the best-looking men she’d ever seen.

He was almost too perfect. Dressed in black, his waistcoat was bloodred and his cravat snow-white.

“Such a beautiful lady,” Beau commented as he took Elizabeth’s hand and made a production of placing a kiss upon it. He definitely had an aura of smooth sophistication. “Why have I not met you before today?”

Elizabeth actually felt herself blush at his compliment.

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