Free Love In The Library by Cheryl Bolen

"She's lovely, is she not?"
    Melvin ever so slowly met his brother's gaze with steely eyes. "To whom do you refer?"
    "Mrs. Bexley!"
    "You know I take no notice of such things."
    "How fortunate you are to be able to spend so much time in her company."
    "Were you in my shoes, I daresay you'd tire of her in a matter of days."
    Elvin folded his arms across his chest and was incapable of removing his gaze from the widow. "Care to make a wager?"
    Did this mean Elvin was falling victim to the lady's rather sweet ways—and not unpleasant appearance? "You know I dislike wagering."
    His brother was far more quiet than was his nature. He seemed mesmerized by the vision of Mrs. Bexley gracefully gliding across the dance floor. Her shimmering silver dress stood out in the sea of black jackets and pastel gowns. "I believe my brother needs assistance in his current endeavors with the pretty widow."
    Melvin disliked turning down his brother. When Elvin hurt, Melvin hurt. It had always been thus. As children, when Elvin cried because he wished to ride the pony Melvin sat upon, Melvin would relinquish the beast in order to bring a smile to his twin's face. When the lads were at Eton and Elvin was ravaged by fever, Melvin had to leave their chamber so his brother would not see him cry. Under normal circumstances, Melvin would always defer to his brother's wishes. But Mrs. Bexley had specifically asked that he not tell his twin about the stolen manuscript.
    Melvin had given his word. "You would perish from boredom."
    "I think not."
    Once more, Melvin slowly and icily met his brother's gaze. "You're willing to rise before three in the afternoon?"
    The baronet twin shrugged. "I am certain I could manage to be out of bed by noon. If I had such an incentive." He could not remove his eyes from Mrs. Bexley.
    Melvin gave a bitter laugh. "Do you realize I rise at eight each morning and arrive at Mrs. Bexley's at nine?"
    "Dear lord!" Elvin's face screwed up. "A baronet's son does not rise with the chickens."
    "Tomorrow I rise at five in order to perform a particular commission for the lady." If he meant to travel to and from Cheddar in the same day, he could leave no later than half past five.
    Elvin's eyes widened, his mouth gaped open. "Then I daresay I don't wish to see Mrs. Bexley that badly."
    This time when the lady returned, she dropped onto the settee next to Felicity, exhausted. It was at this time Melvin did something he had never before done. He moved to her and offered to procure for her refreshment.
    She gazed up at him, her eyes once again smiling. "That would be ever so kind of you, Mr. Steffington."
    She had not called him Sir Elvin, which he had half expected. How in the blazes was this woman able to distinguish between him and his twin?
    Feeling as if he were charged with a commission of great importance, he went to the stifling tearoom and waited patiently in line to avail himself of two cups of tea. When he returned, Felicity had moved to the dance floor, and Elvin had confiscated her seat on the other side of Mrs. Bexley.
    That lady was at present favoring his twin with the exact same smile she had so recently bestowed upon him. Melvin moved to her and cleared his throat loudly, not really expecting that he could be heard over the throngs.
    He was mildly surprised that she looked up at him. "How very kind of you, Mr. Steffington," she said, taking the cup. "My throat is ever so parched."
    "It is exceedingly hot in here," Elvin said.
    "And the lady has not been allowed to rest." Longford glared at the twins.
    She quickly drank the liquid. "I shall, indeed, be allowed to rest for I plan to take myself home at present."
    "The poor woman is not accustomed to such strenuous activity." Longford narrowed his gaze at the two men he perceived as his rivals. "I shall be happy to send round for my carriage to convey you back to the Royal Crescent."
    Longford was one of a handful of men in Bath who was rich enough to have his own chaise and