The Gypsy Blessing by Wendi Sotis Read Free Book Online Page B

lady who was walking along the street, she herself distracted by the child at her side.
    A moment later, he felt as if he had been transported to heaven as a feminine form pressed firmly against him. His arms surrounded her—to steady her, of course. For the briefest of moments, he felt her falling and pulled her closer. Her scent was instantly intoxicating, permeating every fibre of his being.
    Her exclamation of surprise caused him to remember himself and move his hands to her shoulders. Stepping away, he did not release her until he was certain she had regained her footing. About to apologize, he looked down into the finest pair of eyes he had ever seen. Tearing his gaze away lest he be considered rude, his eyes landed upon lips so tempting that he could not help himself from moistening his own. Darcy was thankful that the child in the lady’s care had begun to cry at that moment, saving him from shaming himself and compromising the lady.
    What complete madness has taken hold of me?
    The small group waited as the lady calmed the young boy who was now clinging to her skirts. She looked up, her eyes widened, and she gasped.
    He wondered what he had done to merit such a reaction. Was his overwhelming desire to kiss her written across his face? Not knowing what else to do, he removed his hat and bowed. “Pardon me, madam.”
    “I am so sorry, sir. I was not minding my steps. I should have moved out of the way towards the building when my cousin required my attention.”
    A wave of relief passed through Darcy when she called the child cousin and not son . He swallowed, working hard to keep his expression steady before saying, “Please, excuse me; it was entirely my fault. I was not attending the walkway.”
    Georgiana asked, “Are you or the child injured, Miss—”
    “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Longbourn, Hertfordshire. I believe that James was only startled, and I am well, I thank you.”
    Elizabeth noticed a movement on the walkway and looked to see Jane approaching, realizing too late that, from Jane’s point of view, she could not see the persons to whom Elizabeth was speaking. The boy slipped from Elizabeth’s hand and ran to Jane. She stopped and embraced her little cousin.
    “James—there you are! You know it is naughty to run off whenever you see something that interests you! Your poor mother is frantic with worrying that Cousin Lizzy might not catch up with you.” Jane took a few steps closer to her sister, and then noticed Lizzy’s companions. A faint, “Oh! Excuse me,” escaped Jane’s lips before she threw Elizabeth a blank look and then froze, directing her eyes downward at the ground.
    Elizabeth’s blush deepened. “As you see, Jane, we are safe. I am afraid I was attending James and not the walkway a few moments ago and had a slight accident. This lady and gentlemen assisted me.” She turned to the Darcys and said, “May I present my elder sister, Miss Jane Bennet, and, of course, my cousin, Master James Gardiner.” Since she did not know their names, she turned to her companions expectantly.
    Georgiana looked up at her brother and noticed he was staring at Miss Elizabeth, sporting a severe expression. She slipped her hand onto his arm and squeezed slightly, watching him blink rapidly as if waking from a daydream, and then his eyes widened slightly.
    Darcy bowed. “Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire. May I introduce my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
    All the ladies curtsied.
    “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy,” Jane said.
    Elizabeth gestured towards the coach. “I can see that you have only just arrived in Ramsgate; please forgive us for intruding. If we do not return James to our aunt soon, she will agonize excessively. I thank you again for your assistance.” She smiled politely and curtsied again.
    Jane and Miss Darcy mimicked her action, and the Bennets walked in the direction from which Jane had come.
    Now distracted by an entirely different matter