A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, #5)

by Mimi Matthews

Hannah turned her head to look for the others only to lose track of her steps. She nearly trod on James’s foot. “Oh! I do beg your pardon!” “Keep your eyes on mine,” he said. Her gaze jerked to his in apology. “I’m not usually so clumsy.” “You’re not clumsy at all.” “Not so long as I let you lead,” she said, chagrined. “Then let me,” he said. “I won’t steer you wrong.”

“Aye, I’ll summon a constable, miss,” the costermonger growled, doubling back on Hannah. “I’ll have you up on charges for interfering with my property.” He reached out to grab her arm. “Now get away from that beast before I⁠—” “Before you what?” a cold, iron-backed voice interrupted. Hannah looked up with a jolt, straight into the arctic gaze of James Beresford, Viscount St. Clare.

“My lord,” he said gravely. “You appear to have accumulated an inordinate amount of animal hair on your person.”

“Worth House has witnessed countless family scandals over the centuries. If my sole contribution to the cannon is a pack of crossbreed dogs, I shall count myself fortunate indeed.”

“I don’t know how to reply when you say such things.” “Would you rather I didn’t say them?” “No, but…I should like to better prepare myself.” “Next time I compliment you,” he said solemnly, “I’ll take care to give you adequate warning.”

“It’s difficult to dispense with strategy when I want something as much as I want you.”

She had told James that she wasn’t afraid of strangers. That much had been true. But her shyness often manifested as something very like fear. It made her palms grow clammy and her stomach tremble. She did her best to ignore it.

“What’s this? Why so many empty spaces?” “We’ve only just arrived,” Hannah said. “So have I.” He relinquished her hand. “I’ve not seen him, by the way.” Hannah managed to contain her blushes. “I can’t imagine who you mean.” Jack’s eyes danced with humor. “Can you not?”

“I must caution you,” James said. “A compliment is forthcoming.”

“If you were mine, you would be my first and best concern. I would in all things endeavor to make you happy.”