One True Love by Lisa Follett Read Free Book Online Page A

whatever would give you that idea?" She practically growled. She must pull herself together or she would not get through this day.
     
    He was simply a man. A man who kissed her once. A man who entered her dreams and caused her to toss and turn in her bed with a wild, forbidden need she did not understand. A man who was not her betrothed.
     
    "You seem agitated. I hope I am not the source of your agitation." Lord William's cheeky smile nearly did her in.
     
    "You are quite sure of yourself, my lord, to believe you are the source of my distress. Not that I am distressed, mind you, because I am not."
     
    "Tsk,tsk. Testy, too. I hope you are not so growly all day." His eyes crinkled up with suppressed laughter. Cassie was tempted to pop him on the head with her reticule.
     
    The walk to the carriage seemed miles away. She let out a breath of relief when they arrived. She tried to set herself apart from Lord William, but somehow he managed to put himself between her and Lady Anne. Mrs. Bloomingburg and Lady Danforth sat in the seat across from them.
     
    The close contact with Lord William was too much. Their upper arms touched, as well as their thighs, and despite their clothes, her skin burned. "How long is the drive out to Mulberry House?"
     
    "Mulberry House is approximately ten minutes to the North. I have never been there myself, but from the description sent to me by Lord Dray's solicitor, the property sounds perfect for our needs. It was once a school for young ladies run by Lord Dray's late sister," said Lady Anne.
     
    "I hope it will suit our needs. I would hate to continue dragging ourselves around the countryside looking for a property," said Mrs. Bloomingburg.
     
    "How many bedchambers are in the house?" asked Lady Danforth.
     
    "There were eight chambers for pupils. I believe they had two girls per room, but the solicitor wrote that four children would comfortably fit in each room. There are four additional bed chambers for staff and rooms for servants."
     
    "The property sounds ideal," Cassie added, hoping to think on something besides Lord William's body wedged next to hers. The half hour passed with conversation about the orphans and Mulberry House. Lord William added little to the discussion, but she could have sworn the man kept glancing down at her in a way that could be called into question at any moment. She hoped no one else noticed.
     
    ***
     
    What did he ever do in his life to deserve such torture? Granted, he spent a few of his youthful years gambling, drinking, and whoring like most young men, but really, he never gambled in high stakes games, only drank himself sick once (which was quite enough), and never touched an innocent, well...until recently, until he stole kisses from Miss Chambers in the woods. He thought himself an honorable and proper gentleman. He invested his funds wisely, bought a grand manor to make a home for his future wife and family, and made himself available to both his friends and family whenever they were in need.
     
    After all, he was accompanying a group of ladies to search for property for a home for orphans. He could not think of too many gentlemen of his acquaintance who would do such a thing without proper persuasion.
     
    He volunteered.
     
    Well, perhaps he volunteered after Stephen turned Anne down, claiming he had a business meeting of sorts in London, and after he learned Miss Chambers would be joining the party.
     
    Miss Chambers.
     
    He closed his eyes and felt her arm and thigh against his. The contact was too much for him to bear.
     
    However would he get through this day without touching her? She was everything he dreamed of in a wife. Lovely, caring, intelligent. He wanted her. He wanted her in his house and in his bed, but he could not have her.
     
    He constantly reminded himself she belonged to another man. Something else swelled in his gut. He did not know this Mr. Parker, but he decided already he did not like him. He comes from the same