Read Online Miss George's Second Chance by Heather Boyd - Free Book Online

suited to the task of assisting her. She must miss it dreadfully.” He offered a reassuring smile he hoped would set Walter’s mind at ease. He knew what he was doing. Imogen had a talent that was going to waste and if he could help her bring new stories to life, he would gladly give an hour or more every day. “If our interactions harm her reputation you can be assured I will do the right thing. Believe me, I had honorable intentions last year. I played the respectful suitor already so have no fear that I would do anything to harm her reputation and leave her to suffer the consequences alone.”
    “Did you really play the gentleman?” Walter rubbed his jaw and then his eyes widened. “No wonder she broke it off. Imogen has always said that a careful, passionless relationship is a marriage doomed to fail.”
    Peter cursed. If only he’d known her views. By being an utter gentleman he’d convinced Imogen he hadn’t wanted her. That couldn’t be further from the truth and it was time to show her just how badly she’d misjudged his intentions.
     
     

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    “Sir Peter Watson to see you, miss.” The butler’s sudden announcement caught Imogen by surprise. She was not ready at all to greet Peter today or any day.
    She rubbed her eyes, wishing she’d remained above stairs this morning. “Could you tell him I am otherwise engaged?”
    “I’d like to, miss, but he’s standing right beside me.”
    Imogen gulped nervously. It was the height of bad manners to pretend to be busy when a caller came. To be caught at it was far worse.
    One set of footsteps came toward her. “Hello Imogen.”
    Although she strained her senses, she couldn’t detect another presence with him. “Sir Peter.” She stood quickly, forgetting her lap was full of embroidery yarns she was attempting to straighten as a gift for Teresa Long. “Oh.”
    Imogen dropped to her knees, running her hands over the thick, carpeted rug in search of them. She gathered them up, and then struggled to reposition herself on her settee. By the time she lifted her face it was hot with embarrassment.
    Peter sat at her side. “You missed a couple.”
    He placed them gently on the palm of her hand and covered them with his.
    “Thank you.”
    Thick tension swirled between them. She wished she could see. If he pitied her then she could forget how badly his nearness affected her. She could pretend the warmth of his hands hadn’t tormented her sleep the night before. When he released her, she could breathe again.
    “These are for you.” Damp flower stems were pressed into her hands and the bunch guided to her nose so she could inhale them. “I remember you preferred lavender to lilacs and a modest bunch to excess. The flower seller thought my requirements quite amusing.”
    “The lady on Ship Street corner?”
    “The very one.”
    Imogen buried her nose in the flowers as the simple thrill of receiving a gift made her smile. No one had brought her flowers in quite some time. “Thank you. She always has the freshest flowers.”
    “I remember. You told me that last summer.”
    The sound of paper crinkling caught her attention and she lifted her face.
    Peter took the flowers from her hands gently. “Mr. Perkins, can you place these in water for your mistress? I promise to behave while you are gone.”
    Imogen pictured Peter smiling at Mr. Perkins and grinned. Like everyone else she’d met, Perkins was not immune to Sir Peter’s charm. When they were engaged to be married they had often been alone in this room. They would trust Sir Peter more now that he was married. He would never disrespect his wife.
    She held out the flowers for her butler to take. “Could you place them in the dining room?”
    “Yes, miss.” Perkins hurried away.
    Peter caught up her hand in his and squeezed. “Do you want to hear whatever news is in the paper today? There must be something to amuse.”
    Imogen jerked her hand back and scrambled to straighten the