Love and the Single Heiress

unconcerned smile, she placed her hand in his.

His fingers wrapped around hers in a sure, strong grip, and warmth permeated through her gloves to sizzle up her arm. An accompanying heat blossomed on her cheeks, and she prayed no one would notice. The instant her feet touched the ground she snatched her hand away as if he’d burned her.

“Thank you.” Shielding her eyes against the sunlight dappling through the trees, she smiled up at Spencer. “Enjoy your outing.”

“I will, Mum.”

Mr. Stanton turned, as if to climb back onto the curricle, but instead he leaned toward her. “Don’t worry,” in said in a low voice only she could hear. “I’ll take good care of him.”

He swung himself into the seat, then with a smile and a nod at her and Genevieve, he instructed Spencer to go. Seconds later the curricle was heading off toward the village.

Catherine watched the vehicle until it rounded the corner at the end of the lane and disappeared from view. She then turned toward Genevieve, and said, “I have news.” Pulling her father’s letter from her reticule, she passed the missive to Genevieve.

After reading the letter, Genevieve handed it back and offered a relieved smile. “So there is no need to worry.”

“None. Well, except for the investigator Lord Markingworth and his friends hired, but I cannot see how he could discover our identity.”

“Excellent.”She looked down the lane where the curricle had traveled. “So that was Mr. Stanton,” her friend said, her voice ripe with… something. “He is much different than I’d envisioned based on your description.”

“Indeed? And what had you envisioned?”

Genevieve laughed. “Certainly not that alarmingly attractive man with the devastating smile and soulful eyes. Darling, your description of him in no way did him justice. I could sum up that glorious man in two words: absolutely divine.”

Something that felt suspiciously like jealousy fluttered through Catherine. “I never said he was ugly.”

“No, but neither did you give any hint that he was so”-she blew out a dreamy-sounding sigh-“so absolutely divine. Masculine and strong. Did you see those lovely dimples when he smiled?”

God, yes. She’d had a great deal of trouble prying her avid gaze away from them. “I hadn’t particularly noticed, but now that you mention it, yes, I suppose he does have dimples.”

“He seems to have formed a bond with Spencer.”

“Yes. They are working together on some sort of surprise for me.”

“Indeed? What sort of surprise?”

“If I knew, it wouldn’t be a surprise,” Catherine said with a smile, mimicking Mr. Stanton’s earlier words to her. “When Mr. Stanton asked Spencer to accompany him to the village, I thought for certain it would turn into an awkward moment. I was stunned when Spencer accepted. I’d ceased asking him to join me several years ago, as I knew he would only refuse to leave the estate grounds.” A sheepish smile pulled at her lips. “If I weren’t so pleased with Spencer’s change of heart, I’d be irked that Mr. Stanton achieved in a mere twenty-four hours something I’ve been unable to accomplish.”

“Obviously the reason behind your son’s unusual decision rests with Mr. Stanton. Your guest’s presence is clearly having a positive effect on Spencer.”

“Yes.”Unfortunately he wasn’t having an effect only on Spencer.

Genevieve’s gaze searched hers, and all traces of amusement vanished. “He cares for you.”

It felt as if the bottom of her stomach landed on her toes. Adopting a light tone, she said, “Of course he does. He’s my son.”

Genevieve regarded her with a sharp-eyed gaze that made Catherine want to squirm. “I was not talking about your son.”

Catherine arranged her features into what she prayed passed for surprise. “Oh. Well, any ‘caring’ Mr. Stanton might feel toward me is merely a politeness toward his best friend’s sister.”

“You are wrong, Catherine. I cannot fathom how you don’t see it. Are you not aware of the way he looks at you? Believe me when I tell you, there is nothing merely polite about it.”

Heat singed Catherine’s cheeks. “I fear you are in need of spectacles, my dear.”

“I most certainly am not. Has he not told you how he feels about you?”

“As a matter of fact, he has. He thinks I am opinionated and annoying.” And beautiful.

Genevieve laughed. “Oh, yes, he is well and truly caught. Darling, he may think you’re opinionated- which you are, and annoying-which everyone is on occasion, but he still desires you.”

“Pshaw,”she scoffed, attempting her best to ignore the sudden thumping of her heart. Heavens, could Genevieve be right? And if so, why did the notion of Mr. Stanton desiring her speed up her heart rate rather than appall her?

“You may ‘pshaw’ all you wish, but, as you know, I am most experienced in these matters, Catherine. The man is deeply attracted to you. And the fact that you refuse to see what is staring you in the face suggests to me that you care for him as well.”

“I most certainly do not! As I’ve already told you, the man is utterly irritating.”

“But very attractive.”

“Stubborn and opinionated.”

“Something you have in common,” Genevieve said, with a teasing grin.

“Argumentative.”

“But kind to your son.”

That stopped Catherine cold. “Yes,” she agreed softly, feeling decidedly off-balance.

“And I do not believe I have ever seen a more lovely mouth on a man.”

A statement that threw her even further off-balance. An image of Mr. Stanton’s lovely mouth flashed in her mind. His lovely mouth that had brushed so softly against her skin… hadn’t it? It had happened too quickly, occurred so softly. The feel of him pressed behind her had stalled her heart. Rendered her breathless. Shot spears of hot yearning through her that weakened her knees.

And it had all happened in the space of two heartbeats.

Good Lord, what would have happened if they’d had three heartbeats? Or half a dozen?

“Catherine? Are you all right? You look flushed.”

No doubt because she felt as if someone had lit fire to her skirts. Blinking away her errant thoughts, she said, “I’m fine. It’s merely warm standing here in the sun.”

“Then let us go inside and enjoy some tea. Baxter has just baked a fresh batch of scones.”

Hot tea was not at all what she was craving, but seeing that it was much safer than what she feared she was craving, she decided tea was a wise choice.

But while she had a reprieve from Mr. Stanton right now, she faced another cozy evening at home tonight. Sharing a meal and stories and games. Avoid and ignore. Yes, she needed to recall her watchwords. She simply had to avoid and ignore these insane yearnings Mr. Stanton’s presence caused.

But how?

“Tell me,” Genevieve said, as they entered the cottage, “do you and Mr. Stanton plan to attend the Duke of Kelby’s soiree this evening? According to the village gossip, a group of guests arrived this morning from London, so it promises to be an interesting diversion.”

Catherine recalled the invitation among the morning’s correspondence. She had not considered attending, as she did not wish to offer the duke even the slightest encouragement. “I don’t think…”Her voice trailed off as she realized that the soiree provided the perfect opportunity to avoid another cozy evening at home.

She smiled. “I don’t think I’d miss it for the world.”

A gloved hand fisted in the heavy, forest green velvet drapery and pushed the material aside. The village of Little Longstone beyond the window bustled with activity, but the only sound in the room was the ticking of the mantel clock and a slowly exhaled breath of frustration.