Andrea Pickens - [Lessons in Love 03] by The Storybook Hero Read Free Book Online Page A

something not to your liking? You are not too chilly, or in need of a stop to stretch your legs?"
    Octavia started. "Why no, I am quite comfortable, thank you. Why do you ask?"
    He swallowed hard. "Well, you seemed to be, er, frowning."
    "Was I?" She made a concerted effort to lighten her expression. "Forgive me. I fear I was letting my thoughts stray back to the voyage from London."
    "A rough passage?" inquired one of the arrivals from Stockholm, a portly gentleman attached to the office of the Secretary.
    "Unpredictable," she murmured.
    "I quite abhor sea trips," piped up the gentleman's wife. "On is so apt to take ill. Once you have traveled as much as I have, you will realize that the best thing in general is to quickly put any unpleasant occurrences behind you and look only to the future."
    Octavia forced a smile. "Very sage advice, ma'am. I shall do my best to heed it."
    The conversation turned to talk of Tsar Alexander's growing rift with Napoleon, and what the odds were that the French army would march on Russia. Putting aside all thoughts of a certain individual, Octavia joined in the lively discussion, resolved not to allow any such lapse of girlish nonsense happen again.
    * * *
    Alex turned and watched the flappable Mr. Heron lead Octavia away from the docks towards the cluster of carriages waiting along the Nevsky Prospect. The faint taste of her was still on his lips, a honeyed tang that ebbed to bittersweet as it struck him that it was most unlikely he would ever tease her with such outrageous attentions again.
    His mouth quirked in a slight smile, recalling her shocked expression. It was hard to resist stirring up the sparks in those flashing eyes, perhaps because she laid into him with such spirit, unintimadated in the least by standing up for herself. No biddable young milk and water miss was she! He could well imagine how her strong opinions and quick tongue had landed her in trouble. Most men could not abide being challenged—especially by a female.
    He, on the other hand, found it intriguing. Their snatches of conversation had hinted at a mind of sharp intelligence and unconventional ideas. There had also been a hint of something else. Beneath the icy mien of disapproval had flared, if only for an instant, a passion that surprised him. She had responded that night in his cabin to his thorough kiss. He hadn't been so far in his cups not to feel the heat course through her as she responded to his embrace. She might speak as if all men could go to the Devil, but her body betrayed her.
    A most interesting body it was, too. The dowdy gowns, cut high enough to choke a cleric, could not disguise the long legs and willowy curves, while the prim hairstyle did not fully tame a mass of glorious curls the color of wild heather honey. Did she really believe that nonsense she spouted about having little to attract the opposite sex? If so, it was the rare time where he might judge her opinion to be utter fustian. It was a shame there was no further chance to explore the many facets of Miss Hadley—somehow, he felt he would not be disappointed in any respect.
    A farmer knocked into Alex's leg as he tried to maneuver a barrow loaded with sack of grain over the rough cobblestones. With a few choice words in Russian, he motioned for the young Englishman to step aside. Alex complied, but his reply brought a spasm of surprise to the man's bearded face. His hand came up to tug at his forelock.
    "I'm sorry, sir, " he mumbled. "I didn't expect you to speak our language."
    "Just enough to know when I have been insulted," replied Alex with a faint smile.
    A quirk of humor pulled at the farmer's lips before his face regained its stoic mien. "You are far from home?" He paused to cross himself in the Orthodox fashion. "No amount of rubles could tempt me to leave my motherland."
    "Every man has his price." Alex then gave a small shrug. "I wonder, can you tell a stranger where one might I find...."
    In a matter of minutes, he had