Andrea Pickens - [Lessons in Love 03] Read Online Free PDF Page A

the pointed hint for her name." A shock? By that do you mean you are not in the habit of being told no?"
    The seductive smile reappeared. "No, indeed I am not."
    Arrogant coxcomb!
    "Allow me to offer you one bit of advice, however," he continued. "Most men will become, er, rather enraged at that little trick. You had best be as far away as possible in the short time you have."
    "I'm well aware of that," she snapped. "I slipped. The other time—"
    "The other time! Are you in the habit of trying to make a choirboy out of every man you meet?"
    Octavia looked at him in some confusion.
    "Never mind," he muttered. "And what happened on that occasion?"
    She quirked a rueful smile. "I am on a ship bound for Russia, that is what happened, sir."
    His brow furrowed. "How could he force such a thing?"
    "I don't wish to discuss it, especially with a stranger," she said curtly. "As if you aren't acquainted with the way men may force what they wish upon females." His simple inquiry, however, had suddenly stirred up all the anger of the last few months that was pent up inside her. Giving vent to her feelings, she went on. "Really, what an incredibly stupid question. Are all of you men so thick that you don't see what little choice a female has in life? What rights do I have? I can own no property, I have no voice in what laws govern me, I can seek no interesting employment. And," she added for good measure, "if I were leg-shackled it would be even worse!"
    He looked at her with interest. "Ah, a sympathizer with the ideas of Mrs. Wollenstonecraft, no doubt."
    "What halfway intelligent female wouldn't be? There are any number of sensible ideas in her writings." As she spoke, it struck her that, given the circumstances, this was turning into a most peculiar conversation.
    "You have an interesting point. Have you considered—"
    At that moment, a monstrous wave crashed into the side of the ship, sending a strong tremor through the oaken timbers. The man winced, and his gaze searched wildly for his lost bottle. "The devil take it! My brandy," he croaked thickly. "Where's my brandy."
    Octavia was about to answer with a scathing reply when she caught sight of the rigid set of his jaw and the haunted look that had suddenly dulled the unusual blue of his eyes. Another shudder of the hull caused those eyes to squeeze tightly shut, as if in anticipation of a physical blow.
    It was the storm, she realized with a start. Its effect on him was so palpable she could almost feel the tension stiffening his rigid limbs. In the flickering shadows she saw him blink once more, and in that instant, a wrenching look of raw need replaced the studied nonchalance of a hardened wastrel. Then the shadows moved once again, casting the plane of his chiseled profile in darkness.
    She sensed the fleeting emotion she had just witnessed had nothing to do with physical fear. No, something infinitely more complex than that had suddenly made him seem very vulnerable and very alone. For some reason, she felt a twinge of sympathy in her breast.
    "This storm is truly upsetting you, is it not?"
    Another resounding crash tore a wild oath from his lips. The lamp swung wildly, then went out, leaving them in pitch blackness.
    "Sir, let me help you to your cabin. Perhaps you would feel better there." Octavia felt her way over to him and touched his arm.
    He gave a low groan and clutched at the collar of his coat. "For God's sake, don't let go of me," he said thickly.
    Octavia wedged herself in beside him and slipped her arm around his shoulders. "Very well, I won't let go." His head fell against her breast. Through the thick wool of her coat she could feel the racing of his pulse and hear the raggedness of his breathing. Her hand came up, threading lightly through the tangled locks, brushing them off his forehead. Beads of sweat clung to his temples, despite the chill air. "It will pass," she whispered.
    He made some incoherent mutter in return, stirring in some agitation, but only to