Regency Romance Collection From Christina Courtenay Read Online Free PDF Page A

marriage vows?
    He smiled again. ‘I only meant that perhaps we should talk to each other and find out about our likes and dislikes and so on. See if we have any mutual interests?’
    ‘ Oh, yes of course.’ Amelia felt very foolish. ‘I’m sorry, I seem to be a little jumpy today and after what happened last night …’
    ‘ Well, I can assure you I am not an ogre. You are safe with me.’
     
    James felt anger swirl inside him as he saw the anxiousness in Amelia’s eyes. He would have liked to go back and wring Sir Bernard’s neck, but he contented himself with the thought that the man’s plan had been foiled and he had come by his just desserts. He hoped he had a very sore head indeed.
    ‘ It was very resourceful of you, my dear, to hit Sir Bernard with the ewer,’ he said. ‘I hope you don’t intend to treat me like that?’ he added jokingly.
    ‘ Oh, no.’ Amelia smiled, relaxing a little at last. ‘Besides, now you are forewarned of my little tricks, you will be able to guard against them. Poor Bernard was a totally unsuspecting victim.’ She began to laugh. ‘You should have seen his face.’
    ‘His face?’
    ‘How surprised he looked. He was so convinced I would eventually welcome him with open arms, it never occurred to him that he wouldn’t prevail.’
    James joined in the laughter. ‘Indeed. Men such as he believe they have a right to behave as they wish. Thank goodness you disabused him of that notion.’
    They spent the next few hours talking, sharing anecdotes about their families and learning about each other. Surprisingly, they found that they liked the same kind of music, art and literature, and they had a lengthy discussion on each of these subjects. James was astonished at her extensive knowledge.
    ‘ How come you are so well versed in all these matters?’ he asked.
    ‘ I was my father’s only child and I think that because he had wished for a boy, he more or less treated me as one.’
    James thought this strange, but had to acknowledge that it was good to be ab le to talk to her as an equal. She didn’t seem bored by any topic, not even farming, which was something he had taken an interest in recently. And she was even able to add to his knowledge occasionally.
    Finally, the long hours of worry took their toll on Amelia, and her eyelids began to droop.
    ‘I’m sorry, you  must be tired,’ James said. ‘I’ve kept you talking for far too long. Why don’t you come over here and then you may lean against my shoulder,’ he invited. They were sitting on opposite seats as James hadn’t wanted to frighten her by insisting they should be next to each other.
    He saw alarm flare in her gaze and tried to keep his expression neutral. It was understandable that she should be nervous in his presence at first, but she would have to get used to it. He held out a hand to help her across.
    ‘Very well,’ she acquiesced, obviously too sleepy to argue the point. She took his hand and half stood up to move over to him, but just as she did so, the carriage hit a pot hole and she was flung towards him , landing on his lap in an untidy heap. ‘Oh! I’m so sorry, I ...’ Clearly flustered, she attempted to extricate herself by pushing with one hand on his chest, but this seemed to cause her further embarrassment as he had unbuttoned his coat and waistcoat, and her fingers encountered nothing but his shirt with warm skin underneath. He heard her give a little gasp, then she looked up and stilled as their eyes met.
    There was enough light from the moon for them to see each other’s features clearly and James felt a strange pull between them in that moment. He had an urge to keep her where she was, hold her close and not let go. A feeling of protectiveness, tenderness even, came over him and he had to shake himself mentally in order to break eye contact. He cleared his throat.
    ‘No harm done.’ James helped her to right herself and watched as she straightened her skirts without looking at