Reading a book was impossible, only because after a few paragraphs, visions of Nic popped into her head. She didn’t want to enjoy the way he’d gazed at her with such longing, and the way he’d winked that made her heart skip a beat. She especially didn’t want to delight in the way his touch had warmed her body and made her want more of his sweet attention.
Grumbling, she punched her fist into the armrest. There was no way around it. She must visit him today and let him know to cease this insanity at once! Especially since some of her aunt’s friends in church had also noticed and were encouraging Tabitha to flirt with the clergyman.
The rain had eased up slightly in the past few minutes, so now was a good time to take her walk to his house. She quickly slipped on her light gray pelisse before throwing her raincoat over her shoulders. Lastly, she placed on her bonnet and tied the ribbons tightly beneath her chin. Before she left the house, she took one of Mrs. Stiles’ umbrellas.
As she hurried down the street, she was vastly relieved to see that people had kept to their homes this afternoon. Just like before, she didn’t need anyone getting suspicious of why she was visiting the clergyman.
She finally arrived at his house, and quickly knocked on the door. When Nic opened it, his eyes widened in disbelief. Within seconds, he scanned the street in front of the house before, gesturing with his hand for her to enter. Once inside, he closed the door behind her.
“What are you doing here?” he asked as he took the umbrella from her and hung it next to the fireplace.
“I needed to talk to you about something important.” She handed her raincoat to him and he hung it next to his. Sheglanced around the room, listening for any more voices. “Is your cousin here?”
“Yes, but he’s upstairs in his room resting.”
His gaze moved to her bonnet, and he touched the brim of the hat. “Why don’t you remove this and I’ll sit it on the hearth. It looks a little damp.”
“Yes, it is.” She loosened the ribbons and lifted it off her head. “The rain fell at an angle today and I almost couldn’t keep it off my face even with the umbrella’s help.”
He took the hat from her and placed it where he had promised. When he faced her again, his attention moved over her pelisse and lavender dress. The color of his eyes softened quite a bit and a relaxed smile touched his face. As always when he did this, her heart reacted, fluttering in her chest.
Scowling, she pointed her finger at him. “This is the reason I need to talk to you.”
His forehead creased in confusion. “Because of your finger?”
“No, because of the way you look at me.”
The lines smoothed out in his expression. “Pardon me? You want to talk to me because of the way Ilookat you?”
“Yes.” She nodded once. “People are noticing, my lord. They see that you’re looking at me differently than you do other women.”
Chuckling, he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the hearth. Curse him for looking so handsome…and desirable. Obviously, this was something he had practiced often, knowing it would make women take notice. Just for once, she wished he’d be clumsy so he didn’t appear so perfect in her eyes. Inwardly, she grumbled and reminded herself that he wasnotperfect.
“Tabitha, how am I looking at you differently?”
Oh, she wanted to slap him. He really wanted her to say it? Of course he did. Men like him needed their ego stroked quiteoften. “Lord Hawthorne, you know exactly how you’re looking at me.”
“Humor me.”
“My aunt and her church friends can see it as well. They say your eyes twinkle, and…um, you grin more.”
His smile stretched, just as she knew it would.
“That’s what they say, do they? But tell me, Tabitha, what doyouthink?”
He moved away from the fireplace, slowly coming toward her. The beat of her heart quickened and her throat turned dry. Blast it all, he’s doing it again!
“My lord, this is the very reason I’m so upset.” Yet, her voice certainly hadn’t sounded upset just then. In fact, the volume had deepened quite a bit. “I don’t need the whole town wondering why you look at me in such a tender way. You’re a clergyman, for heaven’s sake.”
“And clergymen can’t be attracted to single women?” He stopped in front of her. Slowly, his gaze moved over her face, coming to rest on her mouth. “It’s hard not to look at you differently, you know.” He stroked her cheek with gentleness. “Because I’ve been attracted to you since the first time we met.”
His words, coupled with the strange feelings rushing through her, confused her greatly, and made it hard to stay mad at him. But she must. She grasped his hand, trying to move it away from her face, but either she wasn’t trying hard enough or he was just too strong. Yet, his fingers were lightly touching her face. Now she knew what her problem was. She lacked willpower.
“Nic, please,” she said softly.
“I love it when you say my name.” His other hand joined the first, cupping her face. “There is a reason I look at you differently, Tabitha. I’m not at all embarrassed by the way I feel whenever you are near. In fact, I delight in the feelings pulsating through me.”
“Nic, I don’t want…this.”
