The Explorer Baroness by Julia Justiss

Author:Julia Justiss
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-08-12T13:52:18+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Two afternoons later, Charis stood arranging an assortment of kilij and khanjar weapons on the table in the salon. Answering a note from Gregory Lattimar, she’d invited him to come and view an assortment of swords and daggers from her father’s collection, to see if he could match them to objects Lord Vraux had mentioned he wanted.

She’d asked her father to come down and join the meeting. Not only was his expertise in the matter of weapons greater than hers, she was hoping that consulting with a client would energise him and brighten his mood. She wanted to believe he seemed a little improved, but even after the inclusion of additional meats, spices and vegetables in his diet, he hadn’t yet retained his usual vigour.

His skin was still too pale, his strength so limited, she thought, frowning as she recalled his appearance when she’d visited him in his chamber this morning.

However, along with the improvement in his condition she hoped the meeting would produce, her father’s presence would guarantee she kept her attraction to Lattimar under control. But for the sudden appearance of Jameson during his last visit, she might have succumbed to kissing him again.

She’d thought that over time, as she grew more accustomed to seeing his handsome face and being near his compelling masculine presence, the intense attraction he aroused in her would fade. That she would continue to appreciate his appearance, as one did any object of beauty, but that the visceral pull that drew her to be with him would lessen and that inconvenient urge to kiss him would dissipate.

That happy prospect had not materialised. If anything, her attraction had deepened and her desire had increased as she’d got to know better the honourable, amusing and intelligent man within the handsome form.

With a smile, she recalled her teasing remark to Grand-Tante about finding a handsome young assistant to pleasure her in old age. If passion were as hard to dismiss or resist as it was turning out to be, perhaps she ought to reconsider her determination not to marry.

Not that she could wed Gregory Lattimar, alas. But if she should encounter an equally compelling man, someone who was interested in learning Father’s business and who delighted in travelling as they did...might the promise of pleasure be worth the risk?

But she’d not yet envisioned a way to become a wife and still avoid the possibility of growing too fond of someone whose loss could crush her—or losing her heart to a child of their union whom death could steal from her, as often happened. Probably wiser to redouble her efforts to resist passion instead.

A knock sounded at the door, Jameson stepping in to announce, ‘Mr Lattimar is here to see you.’

Warmth filled her...along with keen anticipation and that simmer of attraction deep in her belly. ‘Send him in. Did Father say when he would be coming to join us?’

‘He said he would be down as soon as he finished dressing. I’ll go assist him once I’ve seen your guest in.

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