After Innocence Read Online Free PDF Page B

who he was—she had looked right at him. But she need never know that he was so unconscionable as to have been aware of her watching him. She would never know. And once the first tense moment of meeting face-to-face had passed, they would converse as if nothing untoward had ever happened. Maybe one day she
would
forget.
    She had eyes only for him. She seemed to understand his intentions. Her mouth formed an O. Her cheeks mottled red. She took a deep, desperate gulp of air. But she did not break and run.
    Edward paused in front of her, taking her tense hand in his, his smile warm. He was well aware that women found him irresistible—and he saw her eyes widen even more. “Miss O’Neil. I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I understand that your mother is my hostess. Edward Delanza, at your service.”
    She stared in disbelief.
    Edward raised her hand and kissed it. There was no question that, despite her spinsterish disguise, she was pretty enough. Her nose was small and straight, her cheekbones high, her eyes wide, long-lashed, and the shape of almonds. Her face was a perfect oval, and her coloring was frankly exotic. Her eyes, he saw now, were an amazing shade of amber, like the best French sherry. He stared into them and she stared back, unblinking and mesmerized. For a moment he could not look away.
    She could even be a beauty if she really wanted to be, he thought. A golden beauty, not too flashy or too obvious but enticing nevertheless, a woman who would turn more than a few heads.
    “Mr. D-Delanza,” she said huskily.
    Edward regained his composure and cleared his throat. “Did you just arrive in Newport?” He had not seen her last night when he had arrived, for if he had, he would certainly remember.
    She nodded, her eyes still upon his.
    “It is wonderful to escape the city, is it not? The heat is unbearable just now.”
    “Yes,” she whispered. Her breasts were heaving while her chin lined a notch.
    Edward wondered if she was shy, in awe of him—or perhaps still shocked by the incident. Inwardly he grimaced, imagining that the last was probably true. Outwardly he dazzled her with another smile. “Will you stay the rest of the summer, then?”
    “I beg your pardon?” Her tongue flicked over her lips.
    Edward repeated his question, trying not to think nasty thoughts.
    She swallowed. “I don’t think so.”
    He was surprised. “Why not?”
    “I have classes. At the Academy.” She flushed and lifted her chin higher, proudly. “I am studying art.”
    He recalled her sketches, which were certainly talented, and had an inkling then, a sense that there was far more here than met the eye. “You speak with passion.”
    “I am passionate about my work.”
    He lifted a brow, genuinely curious. “Yes, I am beginning to see that. Are there many young ladies at the Academy?”
    “Perhaps a quarter of the class,” she said, and suddenly she smiled. “We are all devoted to art.”
    For a moment he stood very still, staring at her. He reassessed. Sofie O’Neil was beautiful, for when she smiled she lit up and glowed from deep within herself. Something stirred, and it wasn’t just his groin. For a moment he wished he were younger, more idealistic, and interested in a wife. It was a ridiculous notion.
    “That is admirable, Miss O’Neil,” he said, meaning it. He couldn’t help taking stock of her ugly gray gown again. He had never before met a woman who was not devoted to pretty gowns, jewelry and handsome beaux. She shouldbe dressed in white silk, sporting pearls and diamonds, surrounded by eager young men. Why was he the only gentleman in attendance? He shoved the rude thought aside and smiled. “Soon, though, I suspect some handsome gallant will chase you down and earn some of that devotion.”
    She stiffened.
    “Have I said something wrong?”
    “Yes,” she murmured, glancing away.
    He could not fathom what it could be. Because soon some young gentleman would see past the old-lady hairdo and