The Rise of Miss Notley by Rachael Anderson

Author:Rachael Anderson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2017-02-16T06:00:00+00:00

Following dinner, Jonathan needed some air and rode into town, stopping by the tavern for a drink and whatever distraction was to be had there. He was in luck. Two drunkards began an argument that quickly escalated into a brawl. Punches were thrown, drinks spilled, and glasses broken, until they were finally shoved out the door by an angry proprietor. Jonathan watched it play out with an inward smile. At least he had not resorted to fisticuffs with Harry and Charlie. Perhaps there was hope for him yet.

In the wee hours of the morning, he swallowed the last of his drink, dropped some coins on the table, and nodded to the proprietor before heading back to Tanglewood. He handed his horse off to a sleepy stablehand and strode inside, where, much to his surprise, he found a sleeping Mrs. Notley at the base of the stairs, her head leaning against the banister with her mouth parted slightly. Jonathan stopped several feet away, watching her.

The moonlight coming through the glass above the door highlighted her dark curls and lovely cheekbones. Her shoulders and chest rose and fell with deep, even breaths, and the smallest of smiles touched her lips. Even in her sleep she appeared content and happy. Goodness seemed to emanate from her, touching him like the warmth from a cozy fire.

Jonathan knew he should bypass her and go straight to his bedchamber. She would awaken on her own eventually, or he could send his valet to rouse her. It was far too late and Jonathan too tired to control the feelings she stirred within him, yet he could not pull his gaze away. She was so very beautiful. He yielded to the impulse to graze his fingers lightly across her cheekbone. How soft and cold her skin felt.

His touched stirred her, and she slowly lifted her head and blinked open her eyes. At first, she appeared confused. Then her gaze traveled from Jonathan's boots up to his face. Her eyes widened, and she immediately pulled herself to her feet, stifling a yawn in the process.

"Forgive me, Mr. Ludlow. I must have dozed off."

Jonathan glanced at the marble steps and lifted a brow. "Surely you could have found a more comfortable place to doze than these steps. Your bed, perhaps?"

"I did not intend to fall asleep, sir."

"And yet you did."

"Yes." She studied her fingers as though they were the most interesting things around. When she said nothing more, Jonathan sighed.

"What are you doing on the stairs, Mrs. Notley? Are you guarding the door against intruders, perhaps?"

"What?" Her eyes flew to his, but when she saw that he was only jesting, her lips lifted a little. "Yes, that is exactly what I am doing, sir. You may rest easy tonight for I have things well in hand." Her lips twitched and quirked, and Jonathan had the greatest desire to kiss them. What would they taste like? Would they feel as soft and supple as they appeared? Would they conform to his

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.