Page 23 of A Scandalous Proposition
‘There’s no occasion to be nervous.’
‘What makes you suppose I’m nervous?’ Her trill laughter sounded contrived. ‘I have done this sort of thing a thousand times before.’
‘I dare say you have. However, I venture to suggest that on this particular occasion youarenervous. Your hands are shaking, you’re drinking too quickly and have chosen to sit as far away from me as you can.’ He smiled and ran his hand along the back of their shared seat, lifting one of her heavy curls and running it repeatedly through his fingers. ‘Do I so repulse you, sweet Florentina?’
‘Not at all.’ She moved fractionally?very fractionally?closer to him and offered him a radiant smile.
‘That’s good because I don’t bite, you know. Well, not very hard and never where it shows.’
‘That will make an agreeable change.’
‘You don’t object to your gentlemen abusing you?’
She tilted her head and regarded him from beneath a fringe of thick lashes, appearing to consider her response. ‘Perhaps I enjoy such treatment,’ she said in a flat, lifeless tone that lacked conviction.
‘How have you occupied your time today?’
‘Oh, her grace had some calls to make this afternoon and I accompanied her. And this evening we dined alone at the dower house.’
‘I see.’ Adam settled himself in a position from which he could observe her face more easily. A whole range of emotions filtered across it, none commensurate with those he would expect to see on the countenance of a seasoned courtesan about to ply her trade. He allowed himself to wonder. ‘And what did you eat?’
‘Caldo gallego.’
‘I beg your pardon.’
‘Caldo gallego, it’s?’
‘I know what it is. A Galician delicacy.’ He threw back his head, dredging up memories of the spicy dish. ‘Casserole with ham, pork sausages and, er…’
‘Potatoes and turnip tops. It’s a great favourite of mine and reminds me of home.’
‘I was not aware that my mother enjoyed Spanish cuisine.’
‘Oh, she doesn’t mind if I occasionally direct her cook towards my tastes.’
‘Then she must hold you in high regard.’
‘Sí,de acuerdo.’
He smiled at her. ‘In that case, the two of you must find a great deal to talk about when you are alone.’
‘Oh yes, a very great deal.’ Her face came alive, as did her voice. The fact that she so obviously returned his mother’s regard only added to Adam’s dilemma. ‘The duchess spoke a great deal about you today, as a matter of fact.’
Adam elevated a brow. ‘Did she indeed.’
‘Her grace hoped that you would call and relieve her mind about your first meeting with the new duchess. But I knew you wouldn’t do that.’ Colour swept up her cheeks. ‘She thought you didn’t come because you were too upset but I knew you wished to avoid seeing her grace in company with me.’ She fixed her gaze on her folded hands. ‘Not that I blame you for that.’
Adam contemplated her face, flushed with embarrassment. ‘Is that what you really thought?’
She turned to face him, her lovely eyes alight with compassion. ‘Forgive me, my lord, I know it’s no business of mine, but I feel for you excessively. I understand you were greatly attached to the duchess, and meeting her again under such circumstances must have been a painful ordeal.’ She paused, again addressing her next comment to her folded hands. ‘You deserve better than that.’
‘Sweet Florentina.’ Moved by her obvious sincerity, Adam reached out and slowly traced the curve of her face. ‘Underneath all that deceit you are a truly good person, I think. Your position with my mother hangs in the balance, and yet you can still find it in your heart to worry about my feelings.’
Her blush deepened. ‘I don’t care to think about anyone’s generosity being misused. And youweregenerous towards me, my lord. You rescued me at a time when I needed it very badly and didn’t press me for an explanation.’
He was charmed at how her accent became more pronounced as her embarrassment increased. ‘That much is true, so let me put your mind at rest about my situation. My heart isnotbroken. In fact, I wish Philippa great joy with my brother.’
‘But surely, if you were in love…’ Florentina frowned, nibbling at the end of her index finger, a gesture so intimately endearing that Adam was tempted to fling her down on the daybed, pin her beneath him and take her then and there. But he resisted the impulse, determined to take his time with the enigmatic Mrs Smith and enjoy her to the full. Their first coupling would not be clumsily conducted because he was unable to control his passions.
