Read Online A Perfect Groom by Samantha James - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Samantha James
Ads: Link
path…
Arabella was speechless. By Jove, he’d licked her instead!
Once Arabella was home, her lacy white gloves were consigned to the bottom of the drawer — they would not be worn again, she vowed. From there she marched across to the washbasin, where she scrubbed the offending hand as fiercely as she’d once scrubbed her freckles. If she never saw the man again, it would suit her just fine!
With luck, she decided blackly, he’d take himself back to the Continent, or wherever it was he’d been. Of course, that was hardy likely…
Twice in as many nights she had seen him. Twice . Would she be so unlucky as to encounter him a third? But what else could she do? She could hardly avoid him the rest of the Season.
But Arabella did not relish the prospect of seeing Justin again. Indeed, it was still on her mind the next day because Lady Melville’s masquerade party was to be held that night at
Vauxhall
Gardens
. Aunt Grace had been thrilled to pieces when the invitation arrived. According to her, rumor had it a thousand guests had been invited. Arabella had been excited at the prospect as well; she glimpsed a balloon ascent from Vauxhall one afternoon not long ago, but she had yet to experience the glorious wonder of Vauxhall after dark.
But that was before Justin had returned.
Now, she could have wailed aloud. Would he be in attendance?
She hoped not. She prayed not.
The prospect of seeing him again, wondering what he would do next, filled her with dread. Dancing with him last night…He hadn’t lied. He was an exquisite dancer, and she had felt like such a clod! He’d held her altogether too closely. She remembered vividly the feel of his hand on her waist, his heat and warmth, a warmth that spread clear inside her. As for the warm slide of his tongue on her skin…God above, his tongue! And he was altogether too handsome, his behavior altogether too rakish. Furthermore, he was altogether too unpredictable.
She didn’t trust him. She had the sneaking suspicion he had enjoyed tormenting her. He would delight in making a fool of her, she was convinced.
No, she most definitely did not look forward to seeing him again. Indeed, she almost dreaded it.
Nor could she put him from her mind — and that was most vexing of all!
Glancing into the drawing room later that day, Aunt Grace spied her sitting on the long cupboard near the window, staring into the garden.
“I must say, my dear, you’re looking most disgruntled.”
Arabella looked up. “Aunt! I didn’t know you were back.” Aunt Grace had been shopping with several of her friends. In invitation, Arabella patted the cushions beside her.
Aunt Grace joined her, arranging her skirts lightly over her legs. “My dear, I’ve watched you frowning and fretting and fidgeting from across the room for a full five minutes. What is on your mind?”
Arabella took a breath. “Nothing.”
Aunt Grace studied her for a moment, then pursed her lips. “Any gentlemen callers this afternoon?”
Arabella shook her head.
Her gray eyes softened. “Ah, so that’s why —”
“Oh, that’s not the case at all! I actually had a moment to myself — and indeed I relished every second.” Every second, that is, that was not given to thoughts of Justin Sterling.
Aunt Grace was startled at her vehemence. “I hadn’t realized you were so unhappy, dear.”
“Oh, but I’m not unhappy!” Arabella hastened to reassure her. “I adore being here with you and Uncle Joseph. And I adore London , the gaiety and the parties. But this whole business of being considered The Unattainable…well, I didn’t want it. I don’t want it. I should be quite content with being on the sidelines.”
Aunt Grace regarded her, her head tipped slightly to the side. “That may be hard to accomplish, my dear. Granted, the ton is fickle. But right now, you are the toast of the Season, and will likely remain so, unless you deign to choose a husband.”
Arabella couldn’t help it. “Aunt
Arabella was speechless. By Jove, he’d licked her instead!
Once Arabella was home, her lacy white gloves were consigned to the bottom of the drawer — they would not be worn again, she vowed. From there she marched across to the washbasin, where she scrubbed the offending hand as fiercely as she’d once scrubbed her freckles. If she never saw the man again, it would suit her just fine!
With luck, she decided blackly, he’d take himself back to the Continent, or wherever it was he’d been. Of course, that was hardy likely…
Twice in as many nights she had seen him. Twice . Would she be so unlucky as to encounter him a third? But what else could she do? She could hardly avoid him the rest of the Season.
But Arabella did not relish the prospect of seeing Justin again. Indeed, it was still on her mind the next day because Lady Melville’s masquerade party was to be held that night at
Vauxhall
Gardens
. Aunt Grace had been thrilled to pieces when the invitation arrived. According to her, rumor had it a thousand guests had been invited. Arabella had been excited at the prospect as well; she glimpsed a balloon ascent from Vauxhall one afternoon not long ago, but she had yet to experience the glorious wonder of Vauxhall after dark.
But that was before Justin had returned.
Now, she could have wailed aloud. Would he be in attendance?
She hoped not. She prayed not.
The prospect of seeing him again, wondering what he would do next, filled her with dread. Dancing with him last night…He hadn’t lied. He was an exquisite dancer, and she had felt like such a clod! He’d held her altogether too closely. She remembered vividly the feel of his hand on her waist, his heat and warmth, a warmth that spread clear inside her. As for the warm slide of his tongue on her skin…God above, his tongue! And he was altogether too handsome, his behavior altogether too rakish. Furthermore, he was altogether too unpredictable.
She didn’t trust him. She had the sneaking suspicion he had enjoyed tormenting her. He would delight in making a fool of her, she was convinced.
No, she most definitely did not look forward to seeing him again. Indeed, she almost dreaded it.
Nor could she put him from her mind — and that was most vexing of all!
Glancing into the drawing room later that day, Aunt Grace spied her sitting on the long cupboard near the window, staring into the garden.
“I must say, my dear, you’re looking most disgruntled.”
Arabella looked up. “Aunt! I didn’t know you were back.” Aunt Grace had been shopping with several of her friends. In invitation, Arabella patted the cushions beside her.
Aunt Grace joined her, arranging her skirts lightly over her legs. “My dear, I’ve watched you frowning and fretting and fidgeting from across the room for a full five minutes. What is on your mind?”
Arabella took a breath. “Nothing.”
Aunt Grace studied her for a moment, then pursed her lips. “Any gentlemen callers this afternoon?”
Arabella shook her head.
Her gray eyes softened. “Ah, so that’s why —”
“Oh, that’s not the case at all! I actually had a moment to myself — and indeed I relished every second.” Every second, that is, that was not given to thoughts of Justin Sterling.
Aunt Grace was startled at her vehemence. “I hadn’t realized you were so unhappy, dear.”
“Oh, but I’m not unhappy!” Arabella hastened to reassure her. “I adore being here with you and Uncle Joseph. And I adore London , the gaiety and the parties. But this whole business of being considered The Unattainable…well, I didn’t want it. I don’t want it. I should be quite content with being on the sidelines.”
Aunt Grace regarded her, her head tipped slightly to the side. “That may be hard to accomplish, my dear. Granted, the ton is fickle. But right now, you are the toast of the Season, and will likely remain so, unless you deign to choose a husband.”
Arabella couldn’t help it. “Aunt
Similar Books
