A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas Read Free Book Online

is correct on all counts.”
    â€œThe proper way for him to get your attention is not to ravish your companion,” Hannah muttered.
    â€œYou weren’t ravished, you were kissed.” Natalie’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she asked, “Now confess, Hannah—does he kiss nicely?”
    Remembering the warm erotic sensation of Bowman’s mouth, Hannah felt the damnable color sweep over her again. “I don’t know,” she said shortly. “I have no basis for comparison.”
    Natalie’s eyes widened. “You mean you’ve never been kissed before?”
    Hannah shook her head.
    â€œBut surely Mr. Clark—”
    â€œNo.” Hannah raised her fingers to her hot cheeks.
    â€œHe must have tried,” Natalie insisted. “You’ve spent so much time in his company.”
    â€œI’ve been working for him,” Hannah protested. “Helping with his manuscript and papers.”
    â€œYou mean you’ve actually been taking dictation from him?”
    Hannah gave her a bewildered glance. “What else would I have been doing?”
    â€œI always assumed when you said you’d been ‘taking dictation’ from him that you were letting him kiss you.”
    Hannah’s mouth fell open. “When I said I’d been ‘taking dictation,’ I meant that I had been taking dictation!”
    Natalie was clearly disappointed. “My goodness. If you have spent that much time with him, and he has never once kissed you, I’d say that is proof of the fact that his passion for his work will eclipse all else. Even a wife. We must find someone else for you.”
    â€œI wouldn’t mind taking second place to Mr. Clark’s work,” Hannah said earnestly. “He will be a great man someday. He will do so much good for others—”
    â€œGreat men don’t necessarily make good husbands. And you’re too dear and lovely to be wasted on him.” Natalie shook her head in disgust. “Why, any of my leftovers from last season would be better for you than silly old Mr. Clark.”
    A troubling thought occurred to Hannah, but she was almost afraid to voice her suspicion. “Natalie, did you ever let one of your suitors kiss you?”
    â€œNo,” Natalie said reassuringly.
    Hannah let out a sigh of relief.
    â€œI let nearly all of them kiss me,” Natalie continued cheerfully. “On separate occasions, of course.”
    Aghast, Hannah leaned hard against the dresser. “But…but I was watching over you…”
    â€œYou’re a terrible chaperone, Hannah. You often become so absorbed in conversation that you forget to keep an eye on me. It’s one of the reasons I adore you so.”
    Hannah had never dreamed that her pretty, high-spirited cousin would have let any young man presume so far. Much less several. “You know you should never allow such liberties,” she said weakly. “It will cause rumors, and you might be labeled as fast, and then…”
    â€œNo one will enter an engagement with me?” Natalie smiled wryly. “Last season I received four proposals of marriage, and had I cared to encourage any more, I could have gotten another half dozen. Believe me, Hannah, I know how to manage men. Bring my hairbrush, please.”
    Obeying, Hannah had to acknowledge that there was good reason for Natalie to be so self-assured. She was, or would be, the ideal bride for any man. She gave the silver-backed brush to Natalie and watched her draw it through a flurry of rich blond curls. “Natalie, why didn’t you accept any of those offers last season?”
    â€œI’m waiting for someone special,” came the thoughtful reply. “I should hate to settle for anyone ordinary.” Natalie smiled as she added flippantly, “When I kiss a man, I want to hear the angels sing.”
    â€œWhat about Lord Travers?” Of all the gentlemenwho had shown an