Flirting with His Forbidden Lady--A Regency Family is Reunited Laura Martin (bill gates best books .TXT) 📖

‘Thank you,’ she said, shivering from the memory of what had just happened. She crossed her arms in front of her body, hugging her sides. ‘I really don’t like spiders.’

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise. I know you said, but I didn’t realise they made you that scared.’ He reached out and placed a hand on her bare arm, his hand warm on her skin. ‘I would never have suggested you come in here if I’d known.’

‘How did you get in?’

‘I pulled over a flowerpot.’ He grimaced. ‘I think I broke it when I pushed myself up from it.’

Carefully he began checking her dress over again, looking in all the folds of material.

‘Nothing in there.’

‘Thank you.’ For a moment Beth forgot where she was as Josh stepped in closer to her. Although she was still clad in her chemise and petticoats she felt practically naked under his gaze and her whole body shuddered with anticipation as he raised a hand and trailed his fingertips across her shoulder. Letting her head fall back, she closed her eyes and revelled in his touch, almost crying out when she felt his lips brush against the skin on her neck.

‘I’m sorry,’ he murmured quietly. ‘I couldn’t stop myself.’

Beth almost cried out as he stepped away, wanting to beg him to take her in his arms but knowing she had to maintain whatever little dignity she had left.

Taking the dress from his hands, Beth began pulling it over her head, trying not to mess up her hair any more than it already was. She felt Josh move behind her, helping her straighten it, pulling it down and then his fingers deftly fastening it. He seemed to know exactly what to do and she wondered how many women he’d helped to dress.

Once the sash was tied Beth spun around, not realising Josh was still standing so close. They were body to body and if she tilted her head her lips would only be a couple of inches from his. It was a dangerous position to be in, especially when she was so aware of every part of him.

‘Perfect,’ he murmured, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She wasn’t sure if she imagined the trailing of his fingertips on her neck for just a second, but her body reacted all the same. ‘No one will ever know.’

Beth tensed all her muscles for a second and then forced herself to take a step back.

‘How do we get out of here?’

‘Same way we got in. I’ll boost you up—just be careful of the flowerpot when you’re dropping down on the other side. I’m sure I can move something to help me climb through the window.’ He eyed her, adding quickly, ‘Although I won’t move anything until you’re outside.’

Beth was careful not to brush against any spiders’ webs as she manoeuvred herself into position underneath the window. It was easier going out, having practised how to spin round at the top on the way in, and within a few seconds her feet were back on the grass. She shivered in the sunlight, knowing she would never forget the feel of the spider dropping into her dress. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to stop thinking about it, instead touching her neck where the skin still tingled from his touch.

‘Is there a problem?’ Leonard Ashburton’s clipped voice came from behind her. She turned slowly, making sure her expression was neutral before she faced him.

He could only just have rounded the corner of the house and stepped into view of the shed, but her heart began to hammer in her chest all the same.

‘The door of the shed was locked,’ she said, smiling serenely, ‘and I have no idea where the key is.’

Leonard Ashburton frowned as his brother’s head appeared in the window. The shuttlecock and rackets clattered to the ground as he dropped them before swinging himself out. Beth thought he looked like a cat, landing lightly on his feet.

‘So my brother thought he’d climb in to get them?’

Beth nodded, holding her breath, wondering if she could be lucky enough for Leonard Ashburton to believe it had just been Josh in the shed.

‘I really want to thrash you at shuttlecock,’ Josh said, handing one of the rackets to his brother and starting to walk away. Leonard Ashburton frowned, leaning in closer to Beth, his hand coming up to pick something out of her hair. He held it out between them and inspected it.

Beth felt a churning in her stomach as she realised it was a big ball of dust. Leonard Ashburton didn’t say anything, just regarded her for a few seconds longer, then spun and followed his brother back to the lawn where the other guests were assembled.

Chapter Twelve

Josh leaned back in the comfortable armchair, sipping the fine brandy and closing his eyes. It had been a tiring day, with the ride to complete their journey to Birling View in the morning and spending the rest of the day socialising. He still felt as though he were playing a part when amongst these people Leo called his peers, as if he were just pretending to be a gentleman.

‘You look pensive,’ Leo said, pulling at the cravat at his neck to loosen it. They were the only two still in the dimly lit library, the rest of the guests having retired to bed at various points in the evening. Josh had never needed much sleep, always late to bed and early to rise. He hated tossing and turning in the sheets and had found he only actually needed about five hours in bed to be fully rested. On his return to England he had found Leo was the same.

He’d been thinking about Beth, about all the moments he’d shared with her, but most particularly about the moment in the shed this afternoon when she’d stood in front of him in just her chemise and petticoats, her eyes rising up to meet his,