Almost A Spinster Read Online Free PDF Page A

tried to dismiss how easily the words fell from his mouth. It took no effort to claim a desire for Jane’s affection. A desire to take the place David once claimed in her heart… in her life.
    The emotions that coursed through him… the anger at David’s callousness, the pain at the hurt he’d caused Jane, the need to protect her… they were all too real.
    And they went deeper than physical attraction. He’d never admitted that to himself before because of David, but now… Now everything became clear.
    His feelings for her crystallized.
    David’s rude snort interrupted the dangerous path of Wesley’s thoughts. He shook his head to clear away the cobwebs and shot his friend a glare.
    “What does that mean?” he asked, folding his arms, if only to keep from putting a fist through David’s face.
    “I simply cannot believe you would pursue Jane. You, the most notorious rake in London. You, who has never spent more than a week with the same woman.” David chuckled. “I’ve always envied that, but I never had the funds to maintain such a lifestyle. Perhaps after the wedding, eh?”
    David grinned at him and Wes saw his friend was trying to close the gap that had been put between them earlier, but he could not bring himself to accept the olive branch. Here David stood, completely uncaring of the damage he had done, joking about the future of his infidelity, not a day after his engagement.
    And it made Wesley sick. Reputation or not, he couldn’t bear the callousness… the unfeeling nature of his ‘friend’. It was like his eyes had been opened. Perhaps their friendship had ended years ago… but he’d never noticed it until Jane stepped between them and dared him to be a better man. Dared him to make himself worthy of her smiles and laughter.
    One thing was certain… David was worthy of neither.
    “I came here to insure you won’t interfere with my courtship with Jane,” he said, straightening to his full height. “That you won’t make things difficult for her.”
    David’s forehead wrinkled. “You’re serious. You’re really going to pursue her!”
    “I am.” He met his friend’s eyes, daring challenge. And in a way hoping David would meet it. He wouldn’t mind finishing the physical fight.
    David shrugged. “I won’t interfere, of course. If you want my leavings, you’re welcome to them.”
    Under normal circumstances, Wesley would have punched his friend for such a comment. Instead, he turned on his heel and started for the door because he knew that what David said was true.
    Wesley wanted Jane. No, it was more than that. As he stalked out of the room, David’s voice echoing after him, he realized he loved Jane.
    He loved Jane. The realization nearly brought him to his knees in David’s foyer. Yet, it wasn’t a realization at all. It was just a fact. As much a part of his being as if he’d been shocked by the fact his eyes were green or his hair was brown.
    He loved Jane.
    But for now… she loved David.
    #
    Jane took Wesley’s arm as he helped her from the carriage and led her toward the pillared doorway of Lord and Lady Ketterick’s home. As she glanced up at the opulent manor, she forced a smile. She should have been excited… nervous. After all, this would be the first time she and Wesley made their ‘courtship’ public and verified the rumors running wild throughout London society.
    But instead, she was worried. And not about their deception. About Wes.
    She sent a glance toward him. Just as it had been since he arrived at her home to escort her, his jaw was set in a harsh line, like he was clenching his teeth. While they normally exchanged easy pleasantries, tonight he’d been curt and incommunicative.
    Was he regretting his offer to help her?
    Hurt slashed through her at that thought, but she shoved it aside. Hurt ! That was ridiculous. If he wished to renege on his offer, it would make her situation more difficult, but there was no reason for it to hurt. There was nothing