Her One True Love Read Online Free PDF

should not speak to Matthew or any other guest like that. I want you to apologize.”
    Jane huffed out a laugh. “I will do no such thing.”
    The sisters’ gazes locked in battle, their equally porcelain skin tinged red at the cheeks.
    Thomas laughed and slapped a hand to Matthew’s shoulder. “Well, well, my friend, it seems you have somehow set the cat among the pigeons. Why don’t I see you out and let these two fight it out in private?”
    Matthew continued to study Jane. Her dark brown hair was adorned with ribbons and pearls, and her creamy white neck curved down to the soft hump of her breast, above the laced bodice of her dress. His groin twitched as though waking from a long sleep. How much longer could he bear fighting his attraction toward her? He cleared his throat, rare nerves tumbling through him. “Thank you, Thomas, but I must ask that Jane see me out.”
    It was challenge, a gauntlet thrown down in the sphere.
    Her gaze snapped to his, burning with a fire that made her eyes gleam like a palette of autumnal color beneath the lamplight. “As you wish.” She stood abruptly, her chair teetering behind her. She gripped the chair and held it steady, the orbs of her breasts rising and falling with each harried breath. “Shall we?”
    Undeniable heat simmered between them as she gripped her skirts in one hand and marched toward him. When she was close, he bowed and she swept past him to the door. A real, heartfelt smile tugged at Matthew’s mouth for the first time in months, causing an unexpected burst of energy. He snatched his gaze from the back of her head and nodded first to Thomas and then Monica. “Again, I thank you both. I will no doubt see you again soon.”
    Thomas grinned. “You will. Good night.”
    Monica merely nodded, her bemused gaze fixed on the open door through which Jane had disappeared. Matthew exited the room, his body wired with anticipation of his forthcoming exchange with Jane. Whether she wanted it or not, he was determined that she explain the change in her attitude toward him. Something told him he’d better damn well listen, because he could not, would not, allow her to leave with this insufferable tension between them.
    She stood at Marksville’s closed front door, her spine rigid as she faced the opposite wall. Mrs. Seton shifted uncomfortably beside her, her hands clasped tightly in front of her apron.
    Matthew bit back a groan as he approached them. He’d hoped to speak to Jane alone. “Mrs. Seton, I just wanted to thank you for the most delectable meal. It was a feast I didn’t deserve.”
    â€œYou’re more than welcome, sir.”
    Jane sniffed in clear disapproval. Ignoring her, he dipped his head to Mrs. Seton. “Well, I extend my gratitude to you and no doubt Jeannie too.”
    Mrs. Seton smiled tightly and looked to Jane. “Miss Jane? If there’s nothing else . . .”
    Jane faced her and smiled so genuinely that Matthew suddenly hankered for the same fondness in her eyes and her lips to be directed at him.
    She touched Mrs. Seton’s arm. “Of course. You go and do what you need to do and then I want you to retire for the night. You worked so hard to feed us this evening. I have no idea why Mrs. Ashby, Monica, wanted to make such a fuss of dinner tonight . . . considering the company was nothing out of the ordinary.”
    Mrs. Seton’s eyes widened and Matthew bit back another smile at Jane’s jab at him.
    With a quickly executed half-curtsy, Mrs. Seton hurried away toward the kitchen at the end of the hallway. Matthew stared after her until the door closed and then faced Jane. “So, here we are, alone at last.”
    â€œIndeed.”
    He stepped away from her and paced a slow circle, his mind running through the words he should say, and the words he felt compelled to say. His mind scrambled with rare self-consciousness. Why had the talk of