Free The Spinster & The Coquette by Caylen McQueen Page A

doubted he would care. She traded her usual bun in favor of some cherubic curls, and she had dabbed a bit of lavender perfume on her neck. There was a hint of rouge on her lips, which gave her mouth a rosy glow. She hoped the extra effort she put into her appearance was subtle enough to escape his notice. “I am sure I do not deserve such compliments, but I appreciate them nonetheless.”
    “I… I… you…” Frank gave his neck a scratch as he fumbled over his words. Hester was relieved to see he looked just as nervous as she did. “I… well… I was wondering if you would care to join me in the garden?”
    “Oh, I would love to!” Hester exclaimed, and a moment later, she felt a bit sheepish for her enthusiasm. “That is to say, I… I really have nothing else planned. Should I read to you again? We can resume the story of Emma .”
    “I absolutely would love that,” Frank answered with equal enthusiasm. “I love to listen to the sound of your voice.”
    Frank’s words had both of them blushing. “Should I invite Cordelia?”
    “ No !” Frank was adamant. He wondered if it was a bit too obvious that he wanted some time alone with Hester. “I… I mean to say… I enjoy your sister’s company, but I would rather not bother her with books. She tends to bore easily.”
    “Indeed she does.”
    After Hester retrieved her book, they headed to the garden in silence. They moved slowly, as walking was a bit laborious for him. Frank had always envied able-bodied men and their confidant swaggers. Ungainly as he was, he knew he had no hope of impressing Hester.
    As they walked between rows of daffodils, Frank considered plucking one of the flowers and presenting it to her as a gift. But he feared it would look too obvious, so he decided to let the flowers stay where they were.
    “There is a pleasant breeze,” Hester observed. “The weather is very fine today.”
    “And no rain. We are lucky.”
    “Oh dear… I should not resort to inane conversations about the weather. I believe that is what frightened Mr. Hargrave away. I bored him to tears.”
    “You could never frighten me away,” Frank assured her. “I love to listen to you talk. About anything.”
    “Honestly, Frank, you are an angel among men.” Hester stopped at a bench and opened the book in her lap. Frank hobbled slightly as he lowered himself to the seat beside her, then he set his walking sticks on the ground near his feet. She read aloud, “ The hair was curled, and the maid sent away, and Emma sat down to think and be miserable …”
    Frank closed his eyes as he listened to her read. Hester’s voice was so soft and deep, she made his entire head tingle as she read. The sound of it was so soothing, he knew he could happily listen to her for the rest of his life.
    After she finished a chapter, Hester turned to him and studied his profile. His eyes were closed, so he did not see her watching him. Frank had beautiful lips, the squarest jaw, a chiseled nose, and even his messy brown hair was adorably appealing. She was tempted to touch his long, dark eyelashes—to run her fingertips along his beige skin. He was more handsome at that moment than he had ever been.
    But surely she had no business thinking of him in such a way?
    When his eyes opened, Frank smiled at her. “You stopped reading?”
    “I was… pondering something,” Hester said. “I should be reading Sense and Sensibility , not Emma , seeing as my good sense has recently abandoned me.”
    “Oh?” One of Frank’s perfect dark eyebrows was raised. “But you seem very sensible to me.”
    “If you could hear the thoughts in my head, you would not think I was quite so sensible. In fact, sometimes I believe I am entirely without sense.”
    “You should share your thoughts,” he encouraged her. “I would love to hear what you are thinking.”
    “I most certainly cannot share my thoughts!” Hester cackled at the idea of it. I believe I might be a bit infatuated with you. She did