The book in his hand forgotten, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. And when she looked at him with those big, chocolate brown eyes, he nearly lost himself.
“I was reading that,” she said quietly, her gaze never leaving his.
He broke eye contact and turned the book so he could read the title,Mesmerismus. “Ah, one of my favorites.”
“Ye’ve read Franz Anton Mesmer?” She sounded surprised.
“Aye. Do ye think me incapable of reading?”
“Of course no’,” she retorted.
Her cheeks were tinged pink as a flush crept up her neck. A neck he wanted nothing more than to run his lips over. He cleared his throat and tried to ignore the rush of blood to his groin. “Ye may be pleased to ken that I enjoy reading verra much.”
She arched a brown brow as she studied him. “Do ye?”
“Aye.” Her lips formed into the slightest pout. He didn’t think it was something she had done purposely, but he had a most difficult time drawing his eyes away.
“Did ye enjoy this one?” Clarissa straightened, dropping her slippered feet to the floor. Her slippers matched the violet blue tone of her dress.
It reminded him of the flowers that grew wild in the fields.
Feeling more forward than he should, he pointed to the cushion beside her. “May I?”
She sucked her lower lip into her mouth, and he nearly lost the thin semblance of control he was holding on to.
She nodded and moved over, though there was plenty of room for him to sit.
He knew he was walking a thin line. Aye, it was only family here, but they shouldn’t be alone. But that still didn’t stop him from dropping down beside her. Didn’t stop him from leaning close to her, inhaling her sweet scent.
“Tell me your favorite part so far.”
“Of?”
He lifted the book in his hand. “The book.”
“Oh,” she laughed nervously, her thin fingers playing at the silver bejeweled necklace she wore.
Mayhap she was fighting the same feelings he was. Rules be damned, he leaned close and noted she didn’t move away from him. Instead, her breath hitched, and caught in her throat as her eyes widened expectantly.
“Ye are a beautiful sight to behold,” he said softly.
She lowered her lashes and looked away. “’Tis verra kind of ye to say. Thank ye.”
They were so close. With just the slightest shift, he could capture her lips in his. Taste her as he’d been dreaming of for months. Her tongue darted out and wetted her parted lips. It would be so easy.
His body roared to life. The voice inside his head yelling at him to take the opportunity afforded him.
But he couldn’t. Not yet. Not until he could secure his holdings and could offer her more than what he currently had, not until he could somehow get her brother’s blessing.
For now, he’d focus on the book. “’Tis true. I—”
“What are ye two doing hiding in the library?” Nicholas asked and Alexander snapped to standing, the book that he’d held falling to the floor. Nicholas shot him a questioning stare.
“We arena hiding. We were just discussing books.”
“Yes,” Clarissa added. “Alexander was just telling me about his favorite scene.”
“Was he now?”
