To Tempt an Irish Rogue by Kaitlin O'Riley Read Free Book Online Page B

lent an airy and open feel to the space that was unheard of in other stores. No shelf was full. He usually felt a bit claustrophobic in most bookshops he’d visited. The shelves crammed with books, and stacks of books everywhere, were overwhelming and difficult to sort through or find anything. But not here. The attractive orderliness of Hamilton’s was remarkable. The shop was warm and inviting overall, with comfortable seating areas and eye-catching book displays.
    He was quite impressed with Hamilton’s Book Shoppe.
    And Paulette most of all.
    He should apologize for kissing her. But she did not seem angry or put out with him. In truth, he was not sorry he kissed her. Not at all. In fact, he wanted to kiss her again, but Paulette Hamilton was not someone to trifle with, and he was in no position to become involved with a girl like her. He knew better than to kiss her. He still didn’t know what had come over him.
    Paulette faced him with a look of triumph in her eyes. “Here. This is for you.”
    He took the book from her hands and stared at her face. “Do you know every book in this store?”
    She gave a nod of her head. “Most of them.”
    “Have you read all of them?” he questioned her.
    “Most of them,” she repeated, holding his gaze. A smile played at the corner of her lips.
    He glanced down at the book in his hand and read the title. The Law and the Lady. “What’s this?”
    “It’s a novel I think you might find rather interesting.”
    “Have you read it?”
    “How would I know that you might find it interesting if I hadn’t?’
    Flashing her a grin, he smiled. “Just checking.”
    “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
    Once again, her little shopkeeper phrases begged to be answered in another way. He stopped himself from saying what he really wanted her to do for him, for his mind was spinning with possibilities that he dared not mention to her. “No, I think that will be all, Paulette.”
    “Miss Hamilton,” she corrected him.
    He shook his head. “In the presence of others I shall call you Miss Hamilton. However, when we are alone I shall call you Paulette.”
    “Alone?” she asked, her voice a little breathless. “When would we ever be alone together, Mr. Reeves?”
    “That remains to be seen, Paulette. And it’s Declan in private.”
    “I see,” she said, when she obviously didn’t, and turned to walk to the front of the shop.
    He followed behind her to the counter where her sister still stood, eyeing them with interest. Although she had darker hair, Colette Sinclair looked so much like Paulette it was a little unnerving.
    “I’d like to buy these two,” he said, giving the books to her and paying for his purchase. “Your sister was most helpful, Lady Stancliff.”
    “I’m so pleased you are happy with Paulette’s selection,” Colette said as she expertly wrapped the books in brown paper and tied them with green ribbon. “She is very good at knowing what people will like.”
    He glanced at Paulette, who stood quietly beside her sister. With his eyes on hers, he added, “Yes, she certainly is. I’m sure I shall be returning for more books.”
    “Thank you, Lord Cashelmore,” Paulette said. “Please come again.”
    Declan smiled at both sisters, tipping his hat to them, and, taking his prettily wrapped package of books in his hands, he left Hamilton’s Book Shoppe feeling quite a bit happier than he had before he entered.

Chapter 6
    Confidences
    “What was all that about?” Colette turned on her as soon as Declan Reeves left the shop.
    “What do you mean?” Paulette attempted to remain calm and failed utterly.
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Paulette! I’ve got eyes, haven’t I? What was going on between you and Lord Cashelmore?”
    Paulette had never been very good at keeping secrets and she certainly couldn’t keep this one to herself another moment. “Oh, Colette, he kissed me!”
    “He did what?!”
    The shock on her older sister’s face, the