A Bright Particular Star by Elizabeth Hanbury Read Free Book Online Page B

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    “ Indeed, you haven ’t . ” Sophie ’s gaze fell and she gave a helpless shrug as she studied th e hand s holding hers. “ I am to blame . I’m too impulsive and often think without speaking. A unt Eudora is always criticising me for it. She says I’m wild to a fault and my behaviour and mann ers do not match those expected of a delicately bred female. ”
    Theo uttered a mild curse. “ Your aunt is a fool, Sophie. You’re an impetuous girl, but a charming one nevertheless. ”
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    His words seeped into Sophie’s soul, the timbre of his voice conveying much more than his light-hearted comment alone did. S he looked up to find him regarding her intently , some indiscernible emotion flaring in his eyes. H er heart leap t in response and, just as before, her skin grew highly sensitised under his touch.
    A n unfamiliar thrill of sensation bega n to spread throughout her body. It was so fierce and compelling she was forced to stifle a gasp as it leapt from nerve to nerve, igniting he r senses in a blaze of anticipation. Her blo od felt like it was on fire and pleasure raced through her . Dazed and uncertain, her gaze remained fixed on the man so close to her . She had never experienced such feelings before , bu t even as her body revelled in them , her mind reeled in shock and confusion.
    This was wrong. It had to b e.
    Such feelings seemed disloyal to James, and even though part of Sophie knew it was ridiculous to think that way, she seized on the thought as a way of dealing with her reaction .
    “T hank you, ” she said huskily as she disengaged her fingers. “ Perhaps I am not as graceless as my aunt says, but I should learn to curb my tongue. M y passionate nature is to blame. I wish I was more like Olivia . S he doesn ’t blurt things out at inconvenient moments. ”
    “ But Olivia couldn ’t stand up to her mother without your help, ” Theo pointed out. “D on ’t underest imate yourself. You have charm and spirit, qualities considered an attractive combination by many in the ton . ”
    W hen she did not respond, he added , “ I need to see if the horses have been dealt with. Do you mind waiting here for a while? ”
    She shook her head and , after a slight hesitation when he looked as if he would say more, he nodded, got to his feet and strolled out .
    Sophie exhaled slowly. What was the matt er with her? It would not do to behave like a dewy-eyed idiot. Her aim was to reach James and she must not plague her rescuer with her problems a moment longer than necessary.
    She walked to the window to survey the busy scene in the courtyard outside and again pondered James ’s reaction when she arrived on his doorstep. Once he had recovered from his surprise, she was sure he would be glad to see her . She was less certain how he would react to her proposal. Some of the confidence she had felt when fo rming her plan had already drained away. The idea had seemed perfectly reasonable whil e lying in bed at Ludstone . H ere and now , in a bustling inn on the road to London, it appeared impulsive if not downright foolish.
    Sophie gritted her teeth against the thought . Her actions might be foolish, but she could not go back. James was the one person who could offer her sanctuary.
    Gradually, she became aware the hum of conversation had f aded away . F eeling a sliver of alarm, she wheeled around. She was alone apart from the pessimistic-looking man, who had put down hi s newspaper and now sat wa tching her. He did not attempt to disgu ise his insolent, admiring look which roamed lasciviously over Sophie. Then he licked his lips in a way that made her skin crawl. She shivered, wishing Theo would return . W hen the door opened a moment later, her eyes flew to it in relief.
    It was not Theo , but one of the young post boys employed by the inn. Even so, Sophie was glad she was no longer alone with the man who had eyed her in that unpleasant way. The post boy shut the door, hurried over to the traveller ’s