Prim collapsed against him, torn asunder. She’d never known, never imagined such wanton sensation. Shaky and weak, she hugged Jamie’s shoulders. He held her tight against him. His heart raced, pumping hard and fast against her cheek. His lips brushed her temple, though his breaths were erratic.
“Jamie?” she rasped out, amazed she could even find her voice.
Again he laughed, sounding pained, though how he could find amusement in a moment like this she had no idea.
“Have I mentioned what fascinating layers you have, lass?”
“A time or two. Why?”
“No reason.”
CHAPTER 24
My own sex, I hope, will excuse me if I treat them like rational creatures, instead of flattering the fascinating graces and viewing them as if they were in a state of perpetual childhood, unable to stand alone.
~ Mary Wollstonecraftfrom A Vindication of the Rights of Women
Humming happily, Prim added an extra spoonful of marmalade to her toast the next morning. The sugariness, however, wasn’t nearly as sweet as the long kiss goodnight James had given her in the carriage when he’d brought her home. The church clock had gonged at the one o’clock hour when it had begun and the quarter hour before it ended.
She woken up this morning with a clear head and no regrets.
Though Jeremy seemed determined to make sure she had some. Blithely, she ignored him as he ate his breakfast, listing all of James’s known faults between bites.
“I thought you liked him,” she said, biting into her toast. “A ‘smashing fellow,’ I believe you said.”
Jeremy shook his head sheepishly. “I did and he is. But blast it, Prim, Shane was right. You can’t think a man like that would be serious in courting you.”
Though she’d thought it herself and knew it to be true, the truth of his words did carry a slight sting. “Whether he is or not, I enjoy his company. Far more than Mr. Leachman’s, I might add. You wanted me to consider remarrying and I am. You should be satisfied with that.”
Since that was the point of the whole thing, she reminded herself sternly. She needed to remember that and not allow herself to get lost in tokens of affection. Kisses, she was sure, he handed out like candy. They meant nothing to him.
“And you never know,” she added to solidify her purpose. “His intentions appear honorable.”
Jeremy snorted but then grinned. “Maybe you’re right. The way he looked at you last night…”
“What?”
“He was fair gobsmacked when he saw you,” he admitted. “You did look nice. It’s good to see you smiling again, dressing nice. I’ll give him credit for that at least.”
“I like him, Jeremy,” she admitted softly. “He listens to me. Believes that I can be more than just a mother and a wife.”
“Like what?” he asked deadpan, bursting out into laughter when she swatted at him with her napkin. “Lay off, Prim. I’m not as bad as Shane and Dennis. You’re not as empty-headed as they think. Not as helpless either.”
Prim’s lips twisted wryly. “Well, thanks for that.”
“If you want MacKintosh to court you, I’ll support it,” he said. “But only if he’s serious about it. I don’t want him taking advantage of you and running off back to England.”
“He’s Scottish.”
“Whichever.”
* * *
Her good mood was gone by late afternoon. Prim laid down her pen and rubbed her eyes. She’d hardly said a word yet and already, she was exhausted. But her triumph last night had been so bolstering to her spirits and confidence, she’d begun cleaning house of other matters that’d been chasing her around like recalcitrant dust balls.
Her finances being the greatest of these.
One brother down, with just two more to go. However, this one was proving difficult.
