Chapter Nine #2
“Do you have regrets about last night?” Her hand stilled on the books. “Also, please don’t ruin what we shared by getting up the nodcock idea that we should marry due to scandal.”
“As if I would do either of us the disservice,” he said with a grin. He shot her a mischievous glance. “I merely wished to see how you fared, to make certain you are in good health. We were a bit rambunctious last night.”
The heat renewed itself in her cheeks. “I’m quite lovely, in fact.
As if I have a new outlook of sorts.” Just thinking about how they’d spent the night together renewed the flutters in her belly.
“Knowing what I do now, I rather doubt I was living fully during my marriage.” She blew out a breath.
“I mean, I had my charities to keep me busy, but that…”
“Understandable.” Surreptitiously, he slipped his fingers over hers on the pretense of reaching for a book. “By the by, your brother came to see me this morning. Roused me from my bed, in fact.”
“What?” In her shock, Penny dropped a book. It fell to the wooden floor with a dull thud. With a quick, reassuring glance at Mr. Chandler, she stooped, retrieved the book, and put it back on the shelf. “Why?”
The major shrugged. “He’s incredibly nosy, for he wished to know who I left the rout with.”
She gasped, and when Mr. Chandler frowned, she gave him a smile. “What did you tell him? You didn’t give up our secret, did you?”
“Of course not. That is something strictly kept between you and I.” His whisper was quite thrilling, and she couldn’t help but watch his lips as he spoke.
“Besides, Birchfield is the worst gossip of them all; he doesn’t need to know anything about what happened yesterday.
Also, I didn’t want him cleaning my clock if I said I was with you in a very satisfying and scandalous way. ”
“A few times,” she couldn’t help but add, with a half-stifled giggle.
“Exactly.” When he grinned, her heart skipped another beat.
Penny pulled a book from the shelf. “Do we continue to sneak about?”
“Since your brother assumes I’ve procured a new mistress, I’d say we have no other choice unless you wish to incur his wrath.”
The fact that Cornelius was in agreement they should continue to be together set off butterflies in her belly.
“Not just now.” She cracked open the book, but the words swam in her vision because her concentration was on the man standing next to her.
“This book might be what you’re searching for.
It’s an anthology of a few of Shakespeare’s shorter works.
You can browse through to the ones you’re interested in, and it will give you a broad view of some other aspects of his writing.
” What she wouldn’t do to drag him behind that third bookshelf and shamelessly kiss him!
Already, the clean, crisp scent of his cologne was about to drive her into madness.
“Thank you. This should be just what I need.” When the major took it from her, their fingers brushed, and it was as if an electric charge went through her arm.
He flipped through the pages, clearly on the pretense of browsing through it.
Without looking at her, he whispered, “When next do you wish to meet? After yesterday, I find my passion for you won’t be easily quelled with only that one meeting. ”
How romantic were those words? A shiver of need went down her spine. “Why not here, tonight?”
“What of the Chandlers?”
She offered a grin, for things would work splendidly.
“They are having dinner at the home of one of their friends. No doubt games and cards will follow, for they are all quite close.” She tidied a row of books.
“They won’t come back to their rooms upstairs until midnight, I’d guess.
It’s a standing meeting this time each month, and when they fall to talking, the hours grow quite late. ”
“Good idea.” Cornelius closed the book with a snap. The maroon linen cover provided a contrast to his ivory kid gloves. “Perhaps we’ll get up to scandal, perhaps not, but I’ll come by, nevertheless. It matters not to me how we spend the time.”
If she were alone, she would have danced in place. As it was, she curbed the urge to do anything untoward. “Thank you. I close the shop near six o’clock, but be warned. I will require payment in kisses, perhaps a few caresses.”
He snorted. “As if I would deny you that.”
Heat had returned to her cheeks. “I shall see you then.”
“I’ll be here.” He held up the book as Mr. Chandler glanced their way. “I’ll take this one, and I appreciate your knowledge in these matters, Lady Penelope.” He winked at her. “Thank you for your assistance, and since the winter nights are long, no doubt I’ll go through this one all too quickly.”
“Such folderol.” But she couldn’t help her own grin. “You are most welcome, Major, and I am a bit jealous, for you have many happy hours of reading ahead of you.” She waved a hand. “If you’ll go over to the counter, Mr. Chandler will take care of the transaction.”
Then she turned back to the bookshelf until she could gain control over her emotions. There was something about that man she couldn’t put her finger upon, but she was as giddy as a girl just out of school to have planned an assignation with him.
You are naught but a ninny.
For the moment, she didn’t care. It was far too intoxicating flirting with such happiness that she wanted to horde the feeling to herself a while longer. Society and her brother’s wrath be damned.