The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor by Diane Gaston Deb Marlowe Amanda McCabe

Author:Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe, Amanda McCabe [Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe, Amanda McCabe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

The quiet was so deep it almost echoed, and after the crowd at dinner Charlotte found it a relief. A moment to be alone with her thoughts, even if they were confused ones.

She found a niche behind one of Annalise’s easels and settled herself on the floor there, tucking the skirts of her white muslin gown around her. Anyone “seeking” would not be able to see her there, unless they looked very well indeed, and she could wait out Stephen’s silly game.

Charlotte drew up her knees, resting her cheek against them as she thought of dinner. Her first time to play hostess alone at Welbourne, and it had gone rather well. Nothing disastrous had happened at all. Surely Drew could see that she could be responsible and respectable—just as much as Lady Emily.

He would just have to see that she, Charlotte, could indeed make a good wife.

Overcome by a ridiculous wave of optimism, she closed her eyes and smiled. No, surely all hope was not lost. She had the rest of the party to show him she had changed.

The soft click of the door made her open her eyes, startled. Holding her breath, she peeked around the easel.

At first she could see nothing but a man’s tall silhouette against the light outside. Then whoever it was stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

“Hello. Is anyone there?” Drew called softly.

Charlotte gasped, and pressed her hand to her mouth. It was a sign—it had to be. She slid down lower.

“I know someone is here,” Drew said, his voice full of amusement. “You might as well come out, so we can declare this game at an end and have a cup of tea like sensible people.”

Charlotte tried to stifle a laugh, but it escaped anyway. The next thing she knew, Drew had ducked around the easel and seized her hand, pulling her to her feet.

“Ah-ha,” he said. “I knew it was you, Charlotte.”

They were pressed together there in the shadows, and she was sure the rest of the world had quite disappeared. There was only Drew, the warmth of his body close to hers, the clean smell of him, his strength wrapped around her. She leaned into him, fitting her body into the angles of his, and her eyes closed as she inhaled him deeply.

She felt his chin nestle on top of her head, his arms close around her to draw her even closer.

“How did you find me?” she whispered.

“I just—knew,” he answered. And then he kissed her.

Their lips touched, softly at first, gently, and it was just as she had always expected. The way he tasted, of wine and mint and Drew, the way his lips felt on hers, the way they fitted. It was just as she dreamed, alone at night when she thought of him. She sighed happily.

On that breath, Drew groaned and dragged her closer, so very close she couldn’t tell where she ended and he began. His mouth opened, his tongue seeking hers in an explosion of sheer need.

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