Touch Me

3

London is hectic and exciting, and married life is wonderful. The only thing missing is you, my dear friend. I wish you would come to town to visit…

THE WORDS of the letter blurred as tears flooded Genevieve Ralston’s eyes, tears she quickly brushed away when she heard heavy footfalls in the corridor. Seconds later her giant of a manservant, Baxter, entered the sitting room.

“Wanted to let ye know that-” His words cut off, and setting his beefy fists on his hips, he narrowed his eyes. “Yer upset. Wot’s wrong?” Before Genevieve could answer, his gaze dropped to the letter she held and understanding dawned in his dark eyes. “Yer sad from missin’ yer friend Lady Catherine.”

Genevieve swallowed the ball of misery tightening her throat and forced a light laugh. “A bit.”

“More than a bit,” Baxter said, his voice gruff. He studied her for several seconds with an expression that made her feel as transparent as glass. “Ye ain’t been the same since she got married and moved to London. Been three months. I hate seein’ ye so unhappy.”

“I’m not unhappy,” Genevieve said, walking to the desk and slipping the letter into a drawer. It was true, she told herself. She was merely lonely. Before Catherine had moved to London, hardly a day had gone by when they hadn’t seen each other. But now…Catherine’s absence left Genevieve floundering. The days that used to be filled with laughter, conversation and confidences with her best friend now echoed with silence and loneliness and far too much introspection. She now had too much time to think about Richard and the pain of being cast aside after ten years. The arrival of the puzzle box had only made things worse. As had his cryptic note: “You’re the only one I can trust. Keep this safe and I will come for it as soon as I can.”

That brief missive had struck her like a hard slap, leaving her confused and angry. Why hadn’t he sent the box to the younger, exquisite mistress he’d replaced her with? She could still see the pity, and worse, disgust in his eyes when he’d looked at her imperfect hands the last time she’d seen him, when he’d rejected her touch and attempts to seduce him. Two days later, he’d abruptly ended their arrangement, without even the courage or the decency to tell her to her face. Instead he’d sent a curt note, along with a parting monetary gift. As if money could soothe the hurt and pain and humiliation.

Even now, a year after he’d discarded her, a part of her still couldn’t quite believe that he’d been so unfeeling. So unkind. He’d told her he loved her. And she’d loved him-perhaps not at first, but soon after they’d met. At the beginning of what had turned into a decade-long affair, she’d merely been pitifully grateful to have found a way out of the desperate situation in which she’d found herself. She hadn’t wanted to become a mistress, but given the alternatives, or lack thereof, Richard’s offer had been nothing short of a miracle. When she’d agreed to be his mistress, all she’d known was that he was wealthy, attractive and that he desired her-enough to save her from the nightmare her existence had become-and that was enough. She soon realized, much to her relief, that he was also kind. Generous. Intelligent. A progressive thinker who cared about the plight and sufferings of those less fortunate than himself and who hoped to bring changes to the laws to help the poor. She’d fallen in love with his character, his mind, his goodness. But his cold dismissal of her had shown her a side of him she’d never known existed, one that had made her feel like a fool. She’d felt ugly and dirty, and the day he’d discarded her she’d vowed she’d never be another man’s mistress. Never let another man own her, especially a damned noblemen, one with the wealth and power to replace her within days with another lover. By God, if another nobleman looked at her with so much as a gleam in his eye, she’d set Baxter on him.

Well, she’d keep Richard’s puzzle box safe until he came for it, although she’d wager he’d send someone in his stead, in which case she’d just keep the letter she’d discovered inside the box. She’d read the missive and couldn’t fathom the importance of such an innocuous note. Perhaps it was a code of some sort, but she couldn’t decipher it, and she really didn’t care to know its significance. Richard would have to fetch the letter himself if he wanted it, as she was certain he did. She’d simply force him to do what he should have had the decency to do in the first place-face her. She’d pleasured him and shared herself with him for ten years and had foolishly fallen in love with him. He owed her that much.

She couldn’t deny there was a small, petty part of her that hoped he regretted his actions, that he wanted her back. But it didn’t matter if he did. That part of her life was over. While she’d never allow herself be that vulnerable again, she was grateful that her years of financial support from Richard had enabled her to purchase this cottage and provide this sanctuary for herself and Baxter.

“Bloody hell,” Baxter muttered, shaking his head. “I know ye better than anyone. I know yer miserable and nothin’ I do seems to help. I’d like to pound that fancy bastard lordship to dust for wot he done to ye. ’Tis the way of the rich and titled to take wot they want then spit out wot’s left over with no regard for anyone or anything ’cept their own selfish needs.”

Guilt flooded Genevieve. Here she thought she’d successfully shown a brave face, but clearly she’d failed. Dear Baxter. He was the most loyal of friends and guarded her as if she were one of the crown jewels. They’d known each other since adolescence and had been through a great deal together, some of it very good, some of it very bad. She loved him like a brother. He credited Genevieve with saving his life years ago when, at age fifteen, he’d been left for dead in an alleyway behind the bordello where her mother plied her wares and Genevieve cooked and cleaned and prayed for a better life. Given her own precarious situation at the time, she knew she and Baxter had saved each other.

“I’m fine, Baxter,” she said, proud of how sincere she sounded. “A bit lonely, I admit, but I’m adjusting.” She shoved aside her conscience that informed her she was, in fact, miserably lonely and wasn’t adjusting at all. “I appreciate your concern, but I assure you it’s not necessary.”

“Them tears in yer eyes say different,” Baxter muttered with a fierce scowl that would have terrified anyone but Genevieve. Certainly no one would guess that this giant bald man with thighs that resembled tree trunks and fists the size of hams was as gentle as a kitten and baked the most delicious scones in the kingdom. Of course, he could also break a man’s neck with his bare hands if necessary-something that never failed to make Genevieve feel safe and protected. A woman living on her own could never be too careful. Especially a woman with secrets…secrets that could potentially bring danger to her door.

She straightened her spine and met his gaze. “They are tears of happiness-for Catherine. Who is deliriously in love and thriving in London.” Determined to change the subject, she said, “When you entered the room you mentioned there was something you wanted to let me know?”

It was clear by his mutinous expression that Baxter wanted to press his point. But after heaving a sigh that indicated he knew damn well she wasn’t being entirely truthful, he said, “That bloke is here, askin’ if yer at home.”

“Bloke? What bloke?”

Baxter thrust a calling card at her. “The one wot rented Dr. Oliver’s cottage.”

Ah, yes. Baxter always knew the goings on in Little Longstone-not that there were many-and had mentioned that the Oliver cottage had been leased by some “bloke.” Several months ago the good doctor had inherited an estate. He’d wasted no time packing up his wife and heading for greener pastures.

Genevieve took the card and perused the words. Mr. Simon Cooper. His direction, printed below his name, was in a respectable, although far from wealthy, section of London. Nothing out of the ordinary, yet her suspicions were immediately aroused. This was the second newcomer to the area recently-first Mr. Blackwell the artist, now this Mr. Cooper. Her thoughts instantly flew to the worry that always lingered in the back of her mind: did this stranger know something? Suspect? Had evidence of her activities come to light?

Clearly her concern showed in her expression because Baxter said, “I know that look. Ye think he’s here because of yer writin’s? Because of Charles Brightmore?”

Genevieve’s stomach tightened at the mention of her “nom de plume.” “Do you?”

Baxter scratched his bald head. “Doesn’t seem likely. That matter was taken care of months ago with those newspaper articles. Everyone knows Charles Brightmore left England. No reason to look for him here.” Baxter’s expression collapsed into a fierce frown. “Course if this bloke is sniffin’ around for Charles Brightmore, ye can be sure I’ll be breakin’ his damn nose. I’ll let no harm come to ye, Gen.”

The tension tightening Genevieve’s shoulders relaxed. “I know. And you’re right-as far as anyone knows, Brightmore has left England with no plans to return.”

Baxter nodded. “Still, always pays to be careful. But I hafta say, this bloke don’t look like any sort of investigator type. Acts more like a damn lovesick suitor is what, movin’ in just this mornin’ and not wastin’ any time to call on ye. Says he’s come to introduce himself since ye’ll be neighbors for the next two weeks.” He flexed his sausage-sized fingers. “I were tempted to toss him out on his gift-bearing arse, but seein’ as how yer just a bit lonely, I suppose I could resist the temptation if some company might make ye smile.”

“It’s always best to avoid arse-tossing, unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Genevieve said in her most serious voice. Then she raised her brows. “Gift-bearing?”

“Brought a bouquet of flowers with him.” Baxter’s lip curled. “Bloke should know a woman like you is worth diamonds.”

Genevieve laughed. “And of course you wouldn’t be the least suspicious of a man I’ve never met who called upon me bearing diamonds.”

A sheepish expression momentarily softened Baxter’s rough-hewn features. “Suppose I would be, now that ye mention it.” Then his scowl returned. “But ye can’t trust anybody nowadays. Bloke musta gotten wind of the fact that a beautiful woman lived here, so wot’s the first thing he does? Comes callin’ with flowers, that’s wot.”

Genevieve barely squelched the incredulous sound that rose in her throat at what Baxter was implying. “There’s no need to worry about that.” Indeed, that part of her life was over. She glanced down at her gloved hands and pressed her lips together. The doctors called her affliction arthritis. She called it the curse that had robbed her of the man she’d loved. The man who couldn’t bear to have her less-than-perfect hands touch him. Why would another man look upon her affliction differently? The answer was, they wouldn’t. It didn’t matter if Mr. Simon Cooper, or anyone else, called upon her. She had no intention of ever allowing herself to be hurt again.

When she looked up she saw that Baxter’s gaze had followed hers. There was no missing the flash of sympathy in his eyes as he looked at her gloves. She quickly clasped her hands behind her back. While she appreciated Baxter’s concern, she damn well didn’t want his pity.

“What does this Mr. Cooper look like?” she asked.

He raised his gaze back to hers and frowned. “Like a flower-carryin’ bloke who should be tossed out on his arse.”

“I see. What sort of flowers?”

“Roses.”

Her favorite. Of course Mr. Cooper would have no way of knowing that.

Under normal circumstances, she would have told Baxter to inform Mr. Cooper she wasn’t in. She didn’t care much for socializing outside her small circle of friends, and except for occasional visits to the village, she kept to herself. With Catherine gone, however, circumstances were no longer normal. A visit with a bloke bearing roses might not be ideal, but at least it broke up what had turned into a monotony of dull, dreary, solitary days.

“You may show Mr. Cooper in,” she told Baxter.

After Baxter quit the room, she rose and crossed to the window. Nostalgia and loneliness stabbed her at the sight of the golden leaves floating past the glass panes. Normally at this time of year, she’d be strolling through her beloved garden with Catherine, discussing which plants needed to be pruned back and what should be added in the spring. And she should be looking forward to Little Longstone’s annual autumn festival tomorrow instead of wallowing in loneliness.

She heaved a sigh that fogged the glass. Leaning back, she wiped away the condensation and forced aside the unwanted envy that welled inside her. She was happy for Catherine, truly she was. This desperate, aching emptiness would subside. When her inner voice whispered that she was fooling herself, she lifted her chin and straightened her spine. Nonsense. She wasn’t alone. She had Baxter. And Sophia. And today, she had Mr. Cooper. And that would simply have to be enough. She’d learned-very painfully-the price of wanting too much.

Of course, Mr. Cooper was most likely decrepit and in his dotage, letting a cottage in Little Longstone for the same reason many others did-the medicinal benefits of the hot springs. Like Genevieve’s property, Dr. Oliver’s had its own private spring which was undoubtedly the main attraction for Mr. Cooper. He probably sported a host of ailments about which he’d want to wax poetic. She gave a philosophical shrug. At least he was someone to talk to. Sophia was a good listener, but sadly not much of a conversationalist.

“Mr. Cooper to see ye” came Baxter’s voice from the doorway. She turned then stilled at the sight of the very undecrepit Mr. Simon Cooper who was under no circumstances in his dotage. Indeed, she’d be astonished if he’d reached his thirtieth year. Rendered uncharacteristically mute by surprise, she simply stared at him, and he appeared just as nonplussed as she. Intense green eyes pierced her, spearing a heated tingle through her, and for several seconds she couldn’t move, forgot how to breathe. The way he was looking at her…it was as if he knew her. But that was ridiculous. They’d never met. She would not have forgotten this man.

The strange spell she’d fallen under was broken when he walked toward her with an easy grace that made it abundantly clear he didn’t suffer from any ailments. Indeed, this tall, handsome, broad-shouldered man was the healthiest-looking specimen she’d seen in a very long time, a fact that once again aroused her suspicions. Why would he lease a cottage in an obscure village like Little Longstone rather than in the much more fashionable Brighton or Bath?

He stopped in front of her and made her a formal bow. “Mrs. Ralston,” he said, in a deep, slightly husky voice. “Simon Cooper. Your new neighbor, at least for the next fortnight. Delighted to make your acquaintance.”

Genevieve found herself staring into those compelling green eyes that held a hint of something she couldn’t decipher…something that inexplicably rushed fire through her body, heating places that hadn’t been warm for ages. Surely the flush she felt was only because he’d caught her off guard and not from any real attraction on her part-or his. She glanced down at her gloved hands. She was past all of that.

Regaining her aplomb, she inclined her head. “Likewise, Mr. Cooper.”

He offered her the bouquet of pink roses he held. “For you.” He smiled, drawing her attention to his mouth. His very lovely mouth. The sort of mouth that managed to look firm and soft, serious and sensual, all at the same time. His perfectly formed lips looked as if they knew how to kiss. Extremely well.

After a brief hesitation, she reached for the flowers, taking care, as she did with everyone, to avoid touching him. He moved his hand, however, and her fingers brushed against his, stilling her. Warmth penetrated the thin layer of her gloves, shooting a tingle up her arm, one that surprised and unsettled her. She hadn’t felt that sort of flutter in a very long time. Pulling her hand away, she stepped back several paces. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I’m very fond of roses.”

Needing several seconds to collect herself, she crossed the Turkish carpet and tugged the bell cord for Baxter. When he appeared in the doorway almost instantly, Genevieve buried her nose in the flowers to hide her smile. Clearly he’d been standing in the corridor, most likely waiting to see if he’d need to toss their gentleman caller into the privet hedges.

“A vase for these, please Baxter,” she said, handing him the flowers. She turned to her guest. “Would you like some tea, Mr. Cooper?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.”

She shot Baxter, who was alternately glaring at the roses and Mr. Cooper, a warning look. After one last fulminating glower, Baxter quit the room.

When she turned back to Mr. Cooper, she found him staring at the now-empty doorway with an amused expression. “I believe your butler was trying to incinerate me with his eyes.”

“He’s very protective.”

His gaze returned to her and his lips twitched. “Indeed? I hadn’t noticed.”

The fact that Mr. Cooper found Baxter amusing rather than intimidating further piqued her curiosity. She moved to the grouping of chairs in front of the hearth where a cheery fire crackled. “Please join me,” she invited, seating herself in her favorite wing chair and indicating the settee opposite her.

“Thank you.”

She watched him settle himself, noting the way his midnight-blue jacket accentuated his broad shoulders and how his fawn breeches and polished black Hessians hugged his long, muscular legs. Whatever else Mr. Cooper might or might not have to recommend him, he was certainly very nicely made.

She lifted her gaze and found him regarding her with an intensity that would have caused a less self-possessed woman to squirm. If she were still capable of blushing, her cheeks most likely would have burned at being caught looking him over so thoroughly. Instead she returned his gaze measure for measure. Surely a man who looked like him was accustomed to feminine attention.

“What brings you to Little Longstone, Mr. Cooper?”

“A brief holiday. My employer recently married and has taken a wedding trip to the continent.” Mischief glittered in his eyes and one corner of his mouth tilted upward. “I cannot imagine why he didn’t want me to accompany him, but there you have it. I decided to use the opportunity to get away myself.”

Hmm. Genevieve realized he was teasing, still, she’d guess that his employer wouldn’t want this shockingly attractive man anywhere near his new wife.

“And what made you choose Little Longstone?”

“Dr. Oliver is an acquaintance and very kindly offered me the use of his cottage. I’m looking forward to relaxing in all this clear, country air.”

“That was very generous of him. I hope Dr. Oliver is faring well?”

“Very well indeed. His wife is expecting their first child this spring.”

Genevieve smiled. “How lovely. I shall have to write to congratulate them. Tell me, what do you do in London?”

“I am steward to Mr. Jonas-Smythe. Perhaps you’ve heard of him? He is of the Jonas-Smythes of Lancashire.”

Genevieve shook her head. In order to better converse with Richard she’d once kept up with all the names and doings of London’s elite, but no more. “I’m afraid not. I’ve never been to Lancashire and haven’t traveled to town for several years.”

“You were raised in Little Longstone?”

“No.” If she had been raised in this quiet, lovely village, her life would surely have been much different. “I settled here a number of years ago.”

“And what made you choose Little Longstone?”

She saw no harm in telling him the truth. “Mostly the proximity to the springs. I find them therapeutic. I also fell in love with the surroundings-the woods and quiet village.”

“And what of Mr. Ralston? Does he enjoy the springs as well?”

She hesitated. Both the question and his demeanor were perfectly natural, yet something gave her pause. The intensity of his gaze perhaps? A slight edge to his voice? Yes, there seemed to be a bit of both. Could his query be more than mere friendly curiosity or casual conversation? It seemed so. Indeed it seemed…could his interest in the answer be…personal? Did he find her…attractive?

She instantly shoved the ridiculous notion aside. Surely she was mistaken. Heavens, it had been so long since she’d been in the company of a handsome young man she’d completely forgotten how to read the signals gentlemen tossed out.

“I’m afraid Mr. Ralston is…gone.” They were the same words she always murmured when asked about her husband as they were true. She didn’t like to tell boldfaced lies unless it was absolutely necessary. Mr. Ralston was gone-because he’d never existed. She’d only loved one man in her life, and Richard had never offered marriage. Of course, she’d known men didn’t marry their mistresses, especially men of the peerage. Titled gentlemen might give their hearts to their bed partners, but they gave their name only to women of their own social class. Assuming the role of a widow had lent her the respectability necessary to fit in here in the quiet village she’d chosen to make her home. And after Richard had cast her aside, she had indeed felt like a widow who’d lost her life’s partner.

“Gone?” Mr. Cooper repeated. “You mean for the afternoon?”

Obviously the bold-faced lie was necessary. Genevieve shook her head. “No. He passed away.”

His expression turned solemn. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. It happened years ago.”

“Years ago?” he repeated softly. His gaze skimmed over her and when his eyes once again met hers, her breath caught at the unmistakable interest and admiration glimmering in the green depths. “You must have married as a child.”

A tingle she’d last felt long ago rushed through Genevieve and this time she knew she wasn’t wrong. Clearly just because she’d been out of the game for an extended period didn’t mean she’d forgotten how to play.

Mr. Cooper was flirting with her.

The realization stunned her. Intrigued her. It was so long since a man had shown that sort of interest in her. The last man had been Richard-

Reality returned with a slap and her gaze dropped to her gloved hands. Richard hadn’t wanted her to touch him any more. She’d learned her lesson. Learned it well. Whatever stirrings of attraction Mr. Cooper might be feeling would quickly die if he saw the imperfections her gloves hid.

Genevieve raised her gaze back to his and cleared her throat. “We weren’t married very long before he passed. And you Mr. Cooper-are you married?”

“No. I travel a good bit with my work for Mr. Jonas-Smythe, so I’m not in one place long enough to form deep attachments.” A slow grin that could only be described as devilish curved his lips. “So far no woman will have me.”

Genevieve barely suppressed the incredulous “Ha!” that rose in her throat. She didn’t doubt that as many women as he wanted had had him-in any way he chose to be had. He’d most likely left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. The unmarried ladies of Little Longstone would buzz around Mr. Cooper like bees to a hive. Which of them might lose their heart to this devastatingly attractive man? She didn’t know. But she would not be one of them.