Tobias was watchingSophia read, her head bent in concentration. She tucked an errant curl behind her ear. A single gray strand threaded through the twist of dark hair. He knew she was self-conscious about her age and the subtle signs that gave it away. As far as he was concerned, it added character to her beauty. Just like the smear of ink on her elegant hand. Once it had even stained her chin. He grinned. She would be mortified when she discovered it. But he was enjoying the imperfection of her loveliness.
“What about this word here?” Sophia pointed.
Tobias did not look.
“I will not offer my opinion,” he said. “I have told you there is nothing more to be done. Your work is ready. I will take it with me today and have my uncle read it. He will know which publisher would want the honor of printing it.”
“I don’t know. You are hardly an unbiased judge.”
“Why? Because I love you? Or because I knew your work was excellent before we spent weeks polishing it?”
“Both,” she said, squirming a little.
Seeing her discomfort under the weight of his bold affection was nothing new to Tobias. She would just have to grow used to it.
“In that case, I defer you to my uncle. He will offer you an honest perspective.”
“Yes, I know. That is why I only want to present my very best to him.”
“And this manuscript,” Tobias declared as he began gathering up the pages, “is precisely that.”
Sophia’s grip tightened on the sheet she held.
“You may keep it if you wish.” Tobias shrugged. “I know all your poems by heart by now. I will simply rewrite that one and add it to the rest.”
Sophia released the page with a scowl.
“You always win,” she muttered sulkily.
“And you’re the only one whowantsto.”
Tobias leaned closer and kissed her on the tip of her nose. She folded her arms.
He tilted his head and touched his lips to her cheek. No response.
His mouth opened slightly and slid down to hers. Her lips resisted for but a moment, then parted and pressed against the warmth of his. Her arms loosed and slipped around his shoulders, scooping his neck toward her. The silk of her dress rustled as she shifted her weight against him, the fullness of her breasts pushing against his ribs.
Tobias groaned as pleasure washed over him. He fought to think clearly. How he wanted her! But not like this. Not under her father’s roof.
He pulled back, drawing his fingers along the silky skin of her arms. He folded his hands around hers and brought them to his lips.
“You are not playing fair,” he murmured.
She flashed him a coy smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do. Stop being irresistible. How am I supposed to keep my distance?”
“Who said I wanted you to?” Her voice grew husky and her lips gathered in a pout.
“Marry me, then, Sophia.”
At once, the shutters came down.
Her gaze dropped away. She tucked her hands into her lap. Her posture grew stiff, and her voice filled with starch.
“I’m not ready.”
“Don’t you want the same happiness as your sister?”
