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

found himself regarding everything through her enthusiastic eyes. Sometimes they simply sat in companionable silence, but it was not strained in any way. James surprised himself by thinking that he had seldom felt so at ease with anyone before. It was as if they had known each other for a long time and he wondered why this was so.
     
    They stopped for the night at another small country inn, where the innkeeper was honoured enough by such exalted guests as to give them his two best bedchambers. Amelia worried all through dinner about the sleeping arrangements, as their rooms were connected and she was not sure what would be expected of her. She had felt some sort of bond between them the previous night when she fell against him in the carriage, and she had caught him looking at her with a slight frown several times since, but she didn’t know what to make of it. Had he felt it too, that strange pull of attraction? Or was it just me? As he escorted her to the door of her room, her worries redoubled and she felt butterflies dancing in her stomach.
    He took her hand and Amelia braced herself for what was to come , but to her relief his lordship simply raised her fingers to his mouth and grazed her knuckles with a soft kiss. She felt the tantalising rasp of the stubble on his chin against her skin and had to suppress a shiver of ... delight? Surely not! But how can it be so rough and yet soft at the same time?
    ‘Goodnight, sleep well,’ he said with a small smile. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’
    ‘G-goodnight.’ Amelia fled into her own room and leaned her back against the door. Her legs were shaking, although she didn’t know why. I agreed to this, she reminded herself. If the viscount had asked to sleep with her on the grounds that she was already compromised, it would not have been easy to refuse. And perhaps I would have enjoyed it? She shivered again, remembering the velvety feel of his lips on her knuckles. That had been very pleasant, very pleasant indeed.
    Still, s he was grateful that he hadn’t made any demands on her as yet. It was too soon.
    The following morning she took the liberty of ordering a bath and had a long soak before washing her hair. It was wonderful to have clean hair again, and she revelled in the silky feel of it as she combed it out. Keeping it dirty and in an unflattering style had been one of the subterfuges she had employed in order to possibly put Bernard off, although sadly that had not worked for any length of time either. When her hair was reasonably dry, she put it up in a simple knot on the top of her head, and was pleased at the effect this had on the viscount when she descended for breakfast.
    ‘ I say, that hairstyle becomes you very well,’ he exclaimed. Amelia turned away to hide a smile. She had seen him eyeing her ringlets with disgust and she couldn’t blame him as they had been dreadful indeed.
    ‘Thank you, my lord.’
    They continued their journey and made good time. There was no sign of anyone following them, and Amelia began to relax and enjoy herself. They stopped overnight once more and yet again the viscount left her to sleep alone after a kiss on the cheek this time, which made her heart flutter. She told herself sternly not to be so silly. He is not courting me, he is merely being polite and trying to get me used to his nearness. And it was working, she thought ruefully, since she found herself wanting his touch. He was either very clever or very adept at wooing a lady. She was not sure which. Perhaps it is best not to know?
    I n the afternoon of the following day they finally approached the border of Scotland.
    As they drew nearer to their destination, Amelia once again became a trifle nervous. After all, I’m marrying a virtual stranger in far from normal circumstances and I have no idea what the future will hold. However, she was of an optimistic nature and would not let herself dwell too much on unpleasant possibilities. It was therefore with a cheerful