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Aramintacouldn’t help but notice how his shirtsleeves and silver and black jacquard waistcoat stretched over his taut muscles as he moved.

Ofcourse, she already knew who he was.

Histall form, dark hair, and navy blue eyes had drawn her attention at church since the first day he’d attended.

Aramintaalso accepted he had no idea who she was.

Shewasn’t feeling sorry for herself. It was the truth. Tall, slender, fair, and without a single new gown to her name, she couldn’t compare or compete with MissEudoraClarke’s sable-haired loveliness.

Thepampered and spoiled beauty’s lushly rounded figure and lavishly styled gowns had gained her another admirer—just like many other smitten, eligible bachelors in the area. What a shame that men were such shallow creatures and didn’t realize Eudora’s charms were only skin deep.

Still, it wasn’t for Araminta to inform LordDarius of Eudora’s shortcomings.

Howcould she do so without sounding petty and jealous?

Nevermind that she’d been on the receiving end of Eudora’s unkindness for years and had first-hand knowledge of the soul-deep meanness that fetching smile concealed.

LordDarius lifted a full crate of books onto another crate, and Araminta found herself mesmerized once again, this time by the bulging muscles in his forearms.

Get on with it.

Shecleared her throat.

“I promise I shall leave you to your work directly, but I have a proposition for you.” At least her gumption hadn’t completely deserted her despite the embarrassing fiasco that initiated their meeting.

Hecocked a raven eyebrow in askance. “Oh? And what might that be?”

Aramintacouldn’t blame him for his reticence. She hadn’t exactly been at her best when she knocked him from the ladder in front of half the township, including Eudora and Mrs. Clarke.

Eudoracouldn’t quite conceal her gloating at Araminta’s humiliating mishap, but LordDarius hadn’t seemed to notice. Or maybe he had and didn’t care.

Thatthought didn’t sit well in her belly.

Ifonly Araminta could relive the last half hour.

Theday had begun innocently enough. She’d put bread on to rise and spent an hour in the garden. Her shabby work gown smudged with dirt, she had just entered the parish kitchen to put the bread on to bake. Arms full of firewood, she’d left the door agape, and SirWaddlesby had seized the opportunity.

He’dsnatched Mrs. Tenney’s newly finished glove off the table and tore off like the hounds of hell chased him. Araminta had spent a fortnight embroidering the gloves, and Mrs. Tenney was supposed to take delivery of them tomorrow.

Naturally, Araminta had no choice but to chase her errant goose through town.

“Yes, MissWeldon. I confess. You have stirred my curiosity as well.” LordDarius’s equally handsome twin brother sauntered over and leaned a shoulder against the same bookshelf LordDarius stacked books on.

Aramintaexamined the brothers, studying every element of their countenances. Hmm. She tapped her chin with her index finger, contemplating their identical features. And yet… “Ah. Yes. NowI see the difference.”

Thebrothers exchanged flabbergasted glances.

“You do?” the unnamed Westbrook twin asked. “We used to switch places when we were boys, and not even our parents could tell.”

LordDarius’s skeptical glance spoke for him.

Hedidn’t believe her.

Well, Araminta would prove it then.

Shegave a firm nod. “I do.”

ShiftingSirWaddlesby once more, Araminta wagged her finger at LordDarius. “You have more pronounced grooves around your mouth, LordDarius.”