Free A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss Page A

sure the runner is still on duty.”
    Brent grinned. “Righto, better check. Runners are such an inefficient lot.” He ducked Evan’s mock punch. “Give the widow my regards—you lucky bastard.”
    Already halfway across the room, Evan only nodded.

Chapter Five
    Q uietly entering the salesroom half an hour later, Evan saw Francesca by the office door, Emily bent over her worktable in the room beyond. As the maid’s face lit in a welcoming smile, he put a warning finger to his lips and beckoned her.
    â€œDon’t disturb your mistress,” he whispered when she reached his side. “Will she forgive me if I invite myself to dinner?”
    â€œYou honor us, my lord,” the maid whispered back.
    Grinning, Evan handed her a pouch. “You’ll need to make some purchases. I doubt you usually cook enough to feed a healthy man’s appetite.”
    She shook her head sadly. “Not for years.”
    â€œDo so tonight. And if there’s a special dish your mistress particularly likes, prepare it.”
    â€œI know just the one!” Francesca pocketed the pouch, her dark eyes shining. “Ah tonight, such a meal I cook!”
    â€œIf ’tis anything like last night’s, I may sack my chef and steal you away. Before you go, could you take this upstairs?” He handed her the tissue-wrapped package.
    He tiptoed to the office door. Lost in concentration, Emily toiled away unawares. Vases of flowers scattered about the salesroom wafted the subtle but pervasive scent of violetsand pansies. Within the small workroom every available surface but the table itself was covered with bouquets. The spicy fragrance teased his nose.
    Though he’d not expected her to hide his tributes, he was absurdly touched to discover she’d placed them all around her, some even in public view. Surely she could not be bent on pleasing him only out of gratitude, could she?
    Despite the maid’s friendliness, he was unsure enough about her mistress’s reaction to his unannounced and uninvited arrival that he delayed making his presence known. Silently he settled against the wall, curious, and content to watch her.
    A sketchbook sat open on the worktable, a half-finished velvet bonnet on a stand beside it. From time to time she glanced at the book as her long fingers deftly fashioned rosettes of braid and added them to the hat. After completing a final flower, she lifted the bonnet and placed it carefully on her head.
    Before he realized what she was doing, she walked to the mirror to inspect it—and saw him behind her in the reflection.
    She gasped and spun around. “Lord Cheverley!”
    Once again, her beauty seen face-to-face took his breath away. For a long moment, he merely stood, tongue-tied and awkward as an infatuated adolescent.
    Quickly she replaced the bonnet on its stand. “I wasn’t expecting you this early, my lord.”
    All the gallant, polished phrases he’d practiced deserted him. “I couldn’t stay away.”
    Groaning inwardly at such gaucherie, he strode toward her. “But I don’t mean to interrupt. Please, complete whatever you intended to finish by evening.” He halted a foot away, conscious of a strong desire to pull her into his arms. Barely a minute close to her, and already he was lost. Hesettled for kissing the fingers she extended, savoring the scent, the touch of her skin.
    She smiled slightly. “I’m not sure it’s possible for me to work with you so near. But Lady Wendfrow expects this tomorrow, so I’m obliged to try.”
    Could she feel the attraction, that magnetic pull between them, as strongly as he? Evan fervently hoped so.
    He stepped toward the table, forcing himself to focus on something other than her intoxicating proximity. “You work from your own designs?” At her nod, he indicated the sketchbook. “May I?”
    â€œIf you wish.”
    To distract himself while