Sari Robins Read Online Free Page A

all the ladies.”
    “I’m certainly more of a gentleman with them, that’s true. But I’ll remedy that at once.” With one arm, Heath encircled Tess’s waist and lifted her off the floor and onto her feet.
    Trying to recall the King’s English, she sputtered breathlessly, “Ah, I, ah…”
    They stood side by side, like dancers preparing for a reel, yet so scandalously close, they’d be barred from any decent assembly. Tess was achingly aware of his earthy male scent, the breadth of his shoulders, and the heat of his skin. Her heart was racing, her face overwarm, and for once, she was bereft of words.
    Awkwardly they parted, each stepping a few inches away, not enough to seem as if they were repulsed by the other, but enough to send the message that this was just wrong .
    “If you would?” She motioned for him to give her the books.
    “I’ll carry them for you.”
    “That’s not necessary. Please just place yours on top of mine.”
    “No, really, I would like to help—”
    “Please do as I ask. I prefer it that way.”
    “That I can see.” He set the books in her arms.
    “So, ah…” Heath cleared his throat. “I’m sorry about your husband.”
    “Me, too.” She looked away. “But thank you all the same.” The topic of her ne’er-do-well, cheating mate layered tension atop the already uncomfortable atmosphere. “How’s your father?”
    “Very well, thank you. Still tutoring. With a family in Southampton, actually.”
    “Oh. How nice. Please send him my regards…” Not that Mr. Bartlett would want them, but it was the proper thing to say. Biting her lower lip, she told herself that it was unimportant as she asked, “And you? Are you…ah, married?”
    She held her breath.
    “I hope to be shortly.”
    Her stomach clenched. “So you’re engaged?”
    His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed as if ready for a fight. “I’m in discussions and am hopeful of a positive conclusion.”
    “Sounds so romantic,” she muttered under her breath.
    “I’m a barrister now, Tess. I work for Solicitor-General Dagwood himself. Some count me a fine catch.” His tone was defensive.
    She looked up. “That’s not what I meant—”
    “In fact, I have an important meeting to attend, the Andersen Hall board of trustees, and don’t have time to stand around and reminisce. I know I’ve certainly not spent one moment dwelling on times better left forgotten.”
    “Forgotten?” Even though minutes ago she’d thought the same thing, she frowned. “Really, Heath—”
    “Good day, Lady Golding.” Smartly, he bowed.
    Her spine stiffened. They had agreed never to use anything other than their Christian names. And to use her husband’s!
    He spun on his heel, but then stopped and turned. “I suppose it will be another ten years before we see each other again.”
    Pasting a false smile on her face, she cooed, “Mayhap twenty, if we’re lucky. Don’t want to waste time reminiscing over nothing, do we?”
    “Until then.” Bowing once more, he marched down the hallway, turned a corner, and was gone.
    Tess fumed, until she realized that she still had no idea where she was. Hugging the books so hard they dug into her ribs, she turned her back on the direction Heath had gone. She’d be damned if she’d follow him. She’d rather walk in circles until she expired from lack of food and drink!
    Making her way down another corridor, she seethed and ranted in her head, until she suddenly realized that unshed tears burned the backs of her eyes and her heart ached with the sadness of dreams lost forever.
    She hated feeling this way; it reminded her of when she’d been married to Quentin, and all those dreadful years after.
    “I won’t see him again for years,” she muttered to herself, wondering if she believed it, wondering why she cared, and wondering who the woman was who’d captured Heath Bartlett’s heart.

Chapter 3
    “M r. Bartlett,” the butler announced as Heath entered the femininely-appointed