He looked every bit of a rake and she couldn’t help but study his long fingers that held delicate instruments to save lives. Were they as talented…
Her face burned and she tried to stop imagining what it would be like to be touched and pleasured by Orlando.
Oh, she wanted him and yes, she had turned into a wicked widow who wanted to take pleasure for herself.
“Dr. Valentine,” she greeted on her approach.
“Lady Blythe,” he returned.
“I am happy to see that you returned.”
“How could I not when the conversation last evening was so enjoyable.”
She knew that he could not be referring to the one about the collection of body parts that resulted from the discussion of the novel Frankenstein.
“I hoped that we could continue where we left off.”
When they had been interrupted, she had hoped that he was about to kiss her.
“Do you recall what we were discussing?”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I recall what I was thinking.”
Her face burned hotter and she hoped that the lighting was dim enough that he could not see her blush.
Goodness, why was she nervous?
But she had never decided to take a lover before either and she was not certain what to do. The last time she had experienced intimacy was over four years ago.
Oh dear, perhaps this was a very bad idea.
“What are you thinking, Lady Blythe?”
She blinked at him to note that his eyes were silver with humor.
“So many emotions crossed your features in a matter of moments, but only after you turned a lovely shade of red.”
“I am certain it is because of the heat in the room and I have several matters on my mind,” she lied.
Orlando chuckled and offered his arm before he led her to the settee they had shared the evening before.
If only he could have read her mind, but he suspected that by his words and how she had blushed that she was thinking about kissing or more.
At least, he hoped that she was.
Did she still hold tight to that propriety? Would she even allow him to seduce her?
Was he letting desire for her cloud his judgement?
He had loved her once, but she had left him. And, until he had her reasons, he could not even consider kissing Blythe, let alone seducing her.
“Why did you not open a medical practice in a village as you had mentioned?”
“When I returned to England, I first came to London to visit my brothers. It was not long before I realized that there was more of a need for a surgeon and physician here. There are more than enough doctors to treat gout and hysteria among the lords and ladies, but those with little access and fewer funds, needed a doctor too.”
She smiled. “Did you open an office?”
“Yes, in Covent Garden. It is shared with Dr. Xavier Sinclair.”
