Page 163 of Rogue of My Heart

Damn. I have to stop this or else I’ll go mad.

“I wonder if she still makes those delicious strawberry tarts…” Albina closed her eyes and parted her lips on a delicious sigh.

Michael instantly froze, his gaze riveted to her mouth.

When Albina opened her eyes again, he heard the slight catch in her breathing when she looked at him. “Michael, I…”

“I’m sure Mrs. Dryler would be more than happy to accommodate you,” he said curtly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Turning on his heel, he went upstairs and called for a bath — an ice cold one.

Four

A lady must exercise eloquent speech…

Lady A’s Advice Column

* * *

Albina sat at the servants’ table in the kitchen with a cup of tea and bit into the soft, buttery crust with the burst of fruit flavor inside that could only be attributed to the Beauley Hall cook. Mrs. Dryler had been overjoyed to see that her mistress had returned, and had happily placed two of the desserts on a plate and set them before her.

“I always keep some on hand. You weren’t the only one who appreciated my efforts, after all.” Mrs. Dryler had given Albina a wink, before she hummed a tune and went back to kneading the bread dough on the counter, her hands and arms already coated with the white film of flour.

She was also blissfully unaware of how the words had caused Albina’s chest to ache. Albina sat down the second half-eaten tart, her enjoyment of the delicacy not nearly as exciting as it had been a moment ago. Her stomach was suddenly rolling with fresh nerves, wondering how she might repair this rift between her and Chael.

She rose to her feet. “Thank you, Mrs. Dryler, but I can’t possibly eat another bite if I intend to have supper this evening.”

Albina returned upstairs, but instead of heading to her chamber, she made her way to the library. She was hoping that something in there might spark some inspiration for her writing. Once that issue was resolved, maybe then she could work on her husband.

But the moment she walked over the threshold, she saw Michael there, an open book in his palm and a pair of spectacles perched on his nose. On any other man, the sight might not have been so alluring, but on him, she had trouble tearing her eyes away.

His dark hair was still damp, giving credence to the fact he’d recently bathed, the clean scent of his soap and cologne teasing her nostrils, even from across the room. He’d shaved as well, the smooth line of his jaw well defined. Wearing only a white cambric shirt, green waistcoat, and buff trousers with a new pair of black boots, he looked entirely too attractive for her peace of mind.

She must have made some sort of noise, for he lifted his head and closed his book and removed his glasses, giving her an acknowledging incline of his head. “Albina.”

* * *

“Michael.” She was proud of herself for keeping her voice so even as she walked over to the bookshelves. She noticed that quite a few titles had been added in the intervening years, including several novels. She had to smile when she noticed her friend’s name on the spine of one.

Albina thought Michael would have left the room upon her arrival, but he surprised her by speaking. “Find anything of interest?”

She turned around to see him seated in the same chair, although his pose was more relaxed than before, his hands clasped across his midsection, with the hint of a smile touching the corners of his mouth. She held up the novel in her hand. “You bought Lydia’s book.”

He shrugged. “You spoke of her so eloquently in your letters.”

“She’s a talented author.” She eyed him curiously. “But surely you haven’t read it?”

“Actually, I have. It was quite good.”

“Indeed?” She snorted, lifting a brow. “What happened to the Viscount Beauley whose only interests were non-fiction?”

Again, he shrugged. “I converted. Dared to try something new.”

“I see.” Albina felt her lips twitch as she slid the book back onto the shelf. It wasn’t as if she didn’t have her own copy in London, having read it so many times that the spine suffered from a permanent crease.

“You seem surprised,” Michael noted.

She decided the truth was best, so she turned to him and said,

“Actually, yes, I am. I just can’t see you reading a romantic novel.”