Free Jacquie D'Alessandro by Loveand the Single Heiress

expected. Calling it a ‘cottage’ is rather like referring to a ship as a rowboat.”
    “Perhaps. But the surroundings, the friendly atmosphere, and less formal ways here lend the house a coziness that belies it size. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.”
    He turned, and his gaze drifted over her lovely profile. The soft curve of her pale cheek, the gentle line of her jaw. The slight upward tilt of her nose. The lush fullness of her mouth. Falling in love the moment you see something…yes, I know exactly how that feels.
    “Buying this property, where Spencer has easy and private access to the healing warm water springs on the grounds was the one generous gesture Bickley extended to his son.” She spoke softly, her voice utterly devoid of expression. She turned to face him, and he was struck by how her eyes had gone flat. Damn it all, he wanted to erase all the shadows the years of her unhappy marriage had cast upon her.
    “Of course, as everyone knows, Bickley’s true reason for the purchase was simply to install Spencer—and me—far away, where he wouldn’t have to see, or be seen with, his imperfect son. Or the woman who had, in his words, foisted that son upon him.”
    Because of his close friendship with Philip, Andrew was well aware of what a selfish, unfeeling, indifferent bastard Lady Catherine’s husband had turned out to be to his warm, vibrant wife, and what a poor excuse of a father for a boy who desperately needed one. He barely refrained from saying I would have liked nothing more than five minutes alone with that bastard you married. Instead, he said, “I’m very sorry your marriage was not a happy one.”
    “As am I. It began with great promise, but after Spencer’s birth…” Hervoice trailed off, and for several seconds her eyes filled with the shadows that clearly haunted her still. His fingers itched with the need to reach out and touch her. To smooth away her hurts. To soothe and comfort her as the mere thought of her comforted him.
    Before he could move, however, she gathered herself and smiled. “But that’s all in the past,” she said. “Spencer and I love Little Longstone. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.”
    “I’m certain I shall.”
    “And you must make use of the warm springs while you’re here. They are very therapeutic. I’m looking forward to taking the waters myself to ease the stiffness in my upper arm.”
    Andrew swallowed the apprehension that rose in his throat. He didn’t relish the prospect of spending time near the water. In the water was out of the question.
    He was saved from replying as the carriage jerked to a halt, signaling they’d arrived.
    “Before we alight,” she said, her voice low and her words coming fast, “I have a request. I would appreciate it if you did not mention last night’s incident to Spencer. I don’t wish to alarm him.”
    Andrew could not hide his surprise. “Surely he will see that you are injured.”
    “My sleeve hides the bandage.”
    “What about your lip?”
    “’Tis hardly swollen at all. I’m certain he won’t notice.”
    “But if he does?”
    “I shall tell him I bit it, which is the truth.”
    “Perhaps, but it is misleading nonetheless.”
    “I would rather gently mislead him than worry him.”
    The door opened, revealing a formally garbed footman who extended his hand to help Lady Catherine alight, thus ending the conversation. It was just as well since Andrew suspected any further comment on his part might have led to another argument. “Arguments are not conducive to successful courting,” he muttered.
    “What did you say, Mr. Stanton?” Poised in the carriage door, her hand resting upon the footman’s, Lady Catherine looked at Andrew over her shoulder with a questioning gaze.
    “Er, that I’m, ah, effusive at the prospect of, um, cavorting .” Good God, he sounded like an ass. Also not conducive to successful courting.
    “ Cavorting ?”
    “Yes. In the therapeutic warm waters.” He