Five
Releasinga happy sigh, Araminta adjusted another book on the top shelf, where she had displayed a few of the newer books. She’d nearly unpacked all she owned and the few the townspeople had generously donated to the library.
“Let me help you.”
Dariusspoke from directly behind her, his melodic baritone washing over her like cool silk. Goose pimples raised along her arms, and she nearly dropped the book she’d just picked up.
Sheshouldn’t have such a strong physical reaction to him. Neither should she be so happy to see him.
“Good heavens, my lord.” Laughing, she turned toward Darius. “You startled me. I didn’t know you had returned.”
Hemust have come in the back door. The bell above the main entrance would have tinkled had he come in that way.
Aroguish smile tipped his lips upward, and Araminta was hard-pressed not to stare at his mouth.
“I’ve been in my office,” he said.
She’dbeen so absorbed in her task that she hadn’t heard him.
Orhad she not known of his return because, holding a volume of LordByron’s satirical poem DonJuan as her dancing partner, she had been humming the TyroleseWaltzand swaying about the library section?
Please don’t let it be so.
However, the merriment twinkling in his eyes scorched that futile hope to cinders.
Dariushad seen her acting the romantic ninny.
Perfectlywonderful.
Hetook the book from her hand and set it on the shelf.
Asthe store wasn’t open for business yet, it was just the two of them again. Several times over the past weeks, they’d been alone together. A comfortable comradery had sprung up between them, and with each passing day, she anticipated the few hours in the library with increased excitement.
“MayI have this dance?” He held out his hand.
Sheshould say no.
Toaccept was untenable.
Aramintaeyed him skeptically, longing to place her hand in his, yet knowing she was ten kinds of a fool if she did.
“I thought you wanted to help, my lord.”
Liftinga broad shoulder, he gave her another rakish smile. “After we dance.”
Thistime, she curled her toes in her shoes to prevent herself from rushing into his arms. She glanced at the window. “Someone might see.”
“Not if we stay back here.” He clasped her hand, drew her nearer, and began humming near her ear.
Howcould she refuse?
Shewas only human, after all.
AndAraminta wanted to dance with Darius.
Morethan anything.
Theyswayed and turned to the music as he hummed. She lost track of time, fully engrossed in the moment. She never wanted this to end. For a few minutes, she could pretend that he was hers…not Eudora’s.
“You dance well,” he murmured into her ear, his warm breath causing a shudder to ripple from Araminta’s waist to her nape.
“Thank you. So do you.”
Dolt.Of course he did.
Hewas a duke’s son.
He’dprobably had dance lessons as soon as he could walk.
“I’m glad I agreed to let you have a library in the store.” He turned her, and her skirts swished against his Hessians.
“Me too.” Good heavens, her conversational skills were positively riveting.
“I’ve enjoyed your company, Araminta.”
Athis whispered words, another delicious tremor rippled through her.
IfAraminta didn’t know better, she might have read more into the simple phrase. She kept her gaze pointed at his firm chin, shadowed with dark stubble, for she dared not meet his eyes.
Dariuschuckled, that marvelous masculine rumble deep in his chest that made her want to press her cheek against the wide expanse.
“Is there something on my chin?” he asked, jollity coloring his voice. “Food? A wart?”
Athis teasing, she couldn’t prevent her gaze from flying upward to meet his amused eyes. “No.”
“Ah, that’s better.” He leaned a couple of inches nearer. So near, in fact, that she could smell his sandalwood and spice cologne. “You have the most beautiful eyes.”
“Thank you.”
Buthe was wrong.
Hehad the most beautiful eyes. She could drown in that gaze, the color of the ocean at twilight. And those silver flecks…?
Thiswas madness. Insanity.
Whollyimprudent.
Clearingher throat, Araminta stepped away.
Bereft, her body cried out at the separation.
“I had better get back to work.” She clasped her hands before her.
Thedoorbell chimed, and Darius cast a frustrated look over his shoulder.
“LordDarius?” came a woman’s practiced sing-song voice.
Eudora.
“Yes, perhaps that is wise.” He touched Araminta’s cheek, a feather’s caress, no more. “For now.”
Aramintawatched him stride away.
Howcould she possibly work with Darius and keep her feelings hidden? More painful to contemplate was how could she continue to tend the library, knowing that one day he would likely marry Eudora?