The Unexpected Wife - Jess Michaels Page 0,33
I see the things we saw regularly, but today I truly looked at them.”
Her cheeks heated. “Well, I appreciate the effort,” she said. “I had a wonderful time and I will never forget it.”
He tilted his head. “Do you think it’s over?”
“What do you mean? You promised a tour and I certainly got one. I wouldn’t dare trespass on your time more than I already have.”
“I’m not sure where you got this idea that you are some terrible burden to me that I am anxious to rid myself of. You were never trespassing,” he assured her. “And this tour today was only the overview. If you would like, I’m happy to take you to a few of these places for further exploration. Some of the museums, for example. And we already said we’d go to Hyde Park again. Is there anyplace else especially you’d like to see?”
She stared at him. Owen was practically a stranger to her, and yet he was offering her the world. His world. Without hesitation and thus far, without price.
“Celeste?”
She blinked. “I…have you heard of Lady Lena’s Salon?”
His eyebrows lifted. “I have. Everyone has. Lena Bright is one of the most scandalous and popular women in London. The bastard daughter of a duke who calls herself Lady Lena to draw people to her salon? One who is…very open with her progressive thoughts and ways? But I am not sure I could garner you an invitation. It is the most sought-after literary and political salon at present. We could drive by the location if you’d like.”
“I would very much like that.” She shifted slightly. “Although I might be able to get us an invitation if that is something you would be interested in.”
He leaned back. “And just how would you do that, fair lady who was calling herself a bumpkin not three minutes ago?”
She laughed. “It has nothing at all to do with my sophistication or lack thereof. You see, Harriet Smith was my governess.”
“Lady Lena’s…companion?” he asked, and she could see he was being delicate.
“I thought you said she was open with how progressive her life is. I’ve heard it’s common knowledge that they are not just friendly companions.”
“It is,” he said.
Celeste met his eyes as if challenging him to say something about that fact. He did not. “Harriet and I have kept in touch for years. I would dearly love to see her and finally meet Lena, if it can be arranged.”
“You write the letter telling them of your arrival in London and let me know the day and time. I will be your escort,” he promised.
She stared at him, both wanting to believe this was simply the kind of man he was and also hesitant to do so. “Why are you so kind to me?”
He returned her stare with a blank one of his own. “What do you mean?”
She narrowed her gaze. “Are you just observing me like you do with all the others? Is it that you want something from me? Why?”
His lips parted, and then his hand inched forward on the back of the bench. His fingers brushed her shoulder and even through the layers of silk of her gown she felt the pressure. The warmth of him that made her hot and cold all at once.
“I won’t lie and tell you I don’t want something.”
Her eyes went wide. “You do? I wasn’t certain when you pulled away from my kiss, not once but twice.”
He shook his head. “I pulled away because you are vulnerable and I didn’t want to take advantage. But I can’t sport with your intelligence by pretending there isn’t something that burns in me whenever I’m near you.”
She caught her breath at those words and the passion in his expression when he said them. “O-oh.”
“But I am kind to you because you deserve kindness. It doesn’t come with a cost.”
Could she truly believe this man? In her life she’d never known anyone who didn’t trade on their love or affection or kindness. She almost couldn’t picture that someone like that truly existed.
But Owen made her want to believe.
“Now we’ve been out a long time,” he said. “And I would not wish to make you late for your supper plans with the ladies. Shall we go back?”
For a wild moment she wanted to say no. To tell him to ride around the city with her forever, because the afternoon had been so perfect that she didn’t want it to end. But that was a dream, just as everything about