More Than Charming Read Online Free PDF Page B

she could deny or acquiesce, the party began to adjourn to the supper room. “Let me escort you into supper, at least.”
    After a brief pause, she inclined her head and he took the opportunity to hold her elbow and escort her into the room. As they took their meal together, they fell back into the pleasant conversations they used to share. He soon realized that her mind had matured along with her face and body. Gone was the flighty girl he’d known. She eloquently expressed opinions on everything from law to politics. Obviously, she paid close attention to her brother’s speeches in Parliament. It was one more quality of Catherine’s that he admired. He relished being in the company of a woman who was intelligent as well as beautiful.
    Buoyed by their easy exchange in the supper room, James once again asked Catherine to dance with him. She agreed and put her hand in his. But when she looked up at him, he felt desire lick through him again. Careful, old boy.
    He held her a bit farther away than he wished to as they twirled about the room. Catherine’s face showed her puzzlement over his abrupt change in demeanor, so he offered her one of his smiles and she gave the slightest shrug before following him through the dance.
    Her hand, which she’d placed on his shoulder, slowly worked its way upward to his neck. With delicate fingers, she stroked the hair at the nape of his neck, sending a thrill though him. He tried to ignore the action, but it proved impossible. She was driving him mad, the little caresses making him want her. He looked down at her. She caught the motion and stared up at him, her eyes dark. His gaze fell on her parted lips and he pulled her closer. He lowered his head to hers, eager to kiss her, before finally remembering where they were.
    As the music ceased, he held her away from him. “No.”
    Catherine blinked up at him.
    “No,” he said again, more to himself than to her.
    He took her hand and quickly strode with her to where her sister sat. With a curt nod, he left her there.
    James found himself out on the terrace once more. He was the worst kind of rake, first for wanting Catherine and then for treating her so coldly after their dance. No doubt he’d carry her look of hurt and confusion in his mind for some time.
    “It’s better this way,” he told himself. He was a fool if he believed that. When she’d touched him so innocently, he’d wanted to hold her tight, to strip off her lovely gown and run his hands over her smooth skin. What was the matter with him? One would think he hadn’t been with a woman in months instead of days.
    A man’s voice reached him from the far corner of the terrace then, one he didn’t recognize.
    “I don’t know if you were wise, Waltham,” the man said, laughter in his voice.
    “Wise?” Waltham returned. “In what way, friend?”
    Waltham. The bastard who’d disgraced Catherine. James held himself still and listened.
    “Didn’t you see her?” the first man said. “My God, man! She’s astonishing.”
    “Perhaps I was too hasty,” Waltham allowed. “Who knew Catherine Talbot would turn into such a hot piece?”
    James’s stomach clenched. How dare he say such things?
    “Quite tasty,” his friend said. “I wonder if she’s still fond of you.”
    “I’m quite certain I can make her recall her feelings for me. God knows I’ve got to assuage my lust somewhere. Perhaps if I offer her an arrangement, we can—”
    His words were cut off in mid-sentence as James barreled up to him and grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket. “You bastard. Don’t ever speak of Catherine in that manner again!”
    Waltham blinked in surprise, his hands working to pry James from him. “Roberts,” he sputtered. “What the devil?”
    “What you did to her was despicable.” He brought his face close to Waltham’s. “But she’s most fortunate to be rid of you.”
    James released him and straightened his own clothing. He fixed a sharp look on Catherine’s