Read Online Waltz With a Stranger by Pamela Sherwood - Free Book Online Page A

impression that he felt just as self-conscious and awkward as she. Then he looked back, his gaze locking on hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. “Talking of waltzes…perhaps you might favor me with another some evening.”
    Aurelia stilled, hands clenching in her lap. He’d done it now, dismantled last night’s mutual pretense in a mere handful of words. “You remember, then.”
    He hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. But I wasn’t sure if you did.”
    Oh, God . When every moment of that waltz seemed permanently etched upon her memory—and her body. The warmth of his hands, the scent of his skin…
    The flood of longing that had nearly overwhelmed her at their last encounter threatened to rise again; she forced it back with grim determination. “I remember,” she told Amy’s fiancé. “But last night did not seem an appropriate time to mention that—we’d met before.” She attempted a light shrug. “Life has changed so much since then, for both of us.”
    “So it has,” he conceded.
    Aurelia took a steadying breath. “So, perhaps it’s best if we go on as if we only met for the first time last night, because in a way, we truly have.”
    Something stirred in the depths of his eyes; she could not tell whether it was relief or regret. Then, “No doubt you’re right,” he said, almost too quickly.
    Aurelia stifled a sigh, refusing to be hurt by his ready compliance. What good would it do to dwell upon the past? “That settles that, then. May I wish you every happiness with Amy?”
    “Thank you.” He paused, then continued, almost diffidently, “I’ve come to know your sister better over this past month. She is lovely and charming, and—I believe we would suit.”
    There were few things less pleasant, Aurelia discovered with a sinking heart, than hearing the man of one’s dreams praise another woman, even if that woman was one’s beloved sister. But Amy’s happiness meant more to her than those secret yearnings—and so did her own recovery. Her twin’s impending marriage to Lord Trevenan could not take away what she had accomplished: the long journey back to health and strength. She would not falter now.
    Lifting her chin, she mustered her brightest smile. “How could anyone not love Amy? I should be happy,” she managed not to stumble over that word, “to welcome into the family any man who cherishes her as she deserves.”
    He smiled back. “I would be no less honored to call you sister, Miss Aurelia.”
    And she must learn to call him brother , Aurelia told herself firmly. “Since we are to be related, I think you can leave off the ‘Miss,’ Lord Trevenan.”
    “Very well, if you’re likewise willing to dispense with formality and call me James.”
    James Trelawney. A good, masculine name , she thought, straightforward and unaffected . “What does my sister call you?”
    “Trevenan. She’s asked me to call her Amy, but unfortunately, I haven’t been able to persuade her to use my name yet.” His eyes held a glint of rueful amusement. “She told me that her first pony was called ‘James.’”
    Aurelia was startled into a laugh. “So he was! And my pony was called Jack. I’m afraid they were horrid little beasts, contrary as donkeys and thoroughly spoiled.” She sobered abruptly. “Forgive me, my lord, but I don’t feel I can use your Christian name if my sister does not.”
    He nodded. “Understood. Would you consider dropping the ‘Lord’ and just making it ‘Trevenan’? Perhaps I’ll get used to it faster if you and your sister both call me that.”
    “I believe I can manage that,” she assured him.
    “Relia! Trevenan!” Amy’s voice hailed them from the doorway. “I thought I heard your voices. My goodness, how serious you both look!” she added, regarding them with a quizzical eye. “Have I missed something?”
    “We were merely discussing possible excursions,” Trevenan replied, as Aurelia busied herself with putting away her music. “I know