Read Online Taffeta & Hotspur by Claudy Conn - Free Book Online Page B

thrilled her in the same moment. She had to
scold herself silently, he is a cad and a rake, a heartbreaker a…
She said softly, “Thank you.”
    James Fenmore pushed Tarrant aside as
he took Taffeta’s fingers and bent over them. “Ravishing. How
pleased I am to see you this morning…” He looked to Catherine, and
Taffy quickly introduced them, noting his eyes lit up as Cathy’s
lashes lowered.
    She smiled and looked to Tarrant who
had pulled up a chair to sit neatly at her knees.
    “ Your hair … loose and all
about your shoulders … is very fetching…” Tarrant said.
    She felt a fool and answered all she
could think of, “Thank you.”.
    “ Do you braid it for bed or
leave it … loose like this?” The look in his eyes teased
her.
    She looked around and noted everyone
was involved in hearty conversation and not looking their way. She
snapped a look at him. “I like it loose … and I sleep with only my
covers to keep me warm…” she whispered. “Is that what you want to
know?” Her eyes flirted outrageously. It was as though only she and
Tarrant were in the room.
    A maid arrived with a tray of
refreshments, and Taffy laughed to herself as she watched her aunt
make certain everyone was served something as the jovial banter
continued.
    Tarrant continued to sit close to her,
and looked deeply into her eyes whenever the opportunity
arose.
    “ Why do you keep doing
that?”
    “ Doing what?” he asked with
amusement.
    “ Looking at me like that …
like you … want to devour me. ‘Tis not seemly—especially in my
aunt’s morning room.”
    “ Would it be seemly
somewhere else?”
    She giggled. “Nooo, but do
stop…”
    “ I can not,” he answered. “I
was not aware that was how I was looking at you.”
    “ Oh, downright fib…” She
gasped.
    He laughed and took a pinch of air
between his thumb and forefinger, “Just a little one, sunbeam…” He
chuckled and leaned back against his hardwood chair, “Right then,
tell me, are you enjoying London? I seem to remember you declared
you would not, could not…?” The twinkle was back in his
eyes.
    She dimpled up at him. “Ah, apparently
I am more superficial than I thought, for I am enjoying London so
far … immensely.” She then eyed him quizzically and said, “Have you
brought your high perch phaeton to town, my lord?”
    “ So you have already heard
about my phaeton?” He grinned ruefully and touched her
nose.
    She found she liked his touch far too
much, even on her nose. She regarded him playfully and added,
“Indeed, and the matched dapple grays to draw it. I am told you are
the best whipster in the land.”
    “ For once I am thankful for
rumors if it wins me your company in my phaeton.”
    She laughed sweetly, “Oh yes, I would
love a ride…”
    “ We can go right now.” He
encouraged her with a grin.
    “ No, how can we just leave
everyone and go? Impossible.”
    “ Impossible? Not at all—we
will just excuse ourselves.”
    “ Oh, my lord,” she objected
with a laugh. “I am persuaded you don’t have your phaeton standing
outside. That would never do for such high stepping
horses.”
    “ You are correct, but I can
have them hitched and ready in no time … shall I leave and return
for you?”
    She pushed at his arm, forgetting
herself, forgetting what lay between them, forgetting that very
soon he would call her to his bed.
    “ Ah sunbeam, when you look
at me like that, all I want to do is…”
    Jarvis appeared in the doorway, and
because no one paid him the least heed, he cleared his throat and
loudly announced, “The Marquis of Bruton.”
    All conversation seemed to float into
the atmosphere and die as though a sudden fog had descended, and
Taffy heard her aunt say under her breath, “Oh no, oh
dear…”
    Taffy noted her aunt’s reaction, but
what she found more worrying was her friend Catherine’s response to
his name. Miss Frome went white, and sat quite rigidly beside her,
and Taffy bent to her to ask,