Every Time We Kiss by Christie Kelley Page B

did you do to anger the lady?”
    Her mother’s mouth pinched and her dark eyebrows rose. “She had an infatuation with your brother when she was one and twenty. He was only eighteen and far from ready to marry. But she decided to attempt to compromise herself in order to force the issue.”
    Jennette covered her mouth to keep from laughing. “What happened?”
    “I overheard her talking about her plan with her best friend. She intended for her friend to walk in on them. I sent Lord Aston in Banning’s stead.”
    “Mother!”
    Her mother only waved a hand at her. “When you have children, you will understand that a mother will do anything to protect them.”
    Except Jennette doubted she would ever have children at this point in her life. She was already on the shelf by most people’s estimation. By the time she had settled into her new life in Florence, she would be in her late-twenties. How many men wanted a woman that old? They all wanted young and fertile ladies for brides.
    There were days she wished she had allowed John a few more intimacies than he had taken. She wondered if it was too late for her now. Would she die an innocent spinster?
    And why did that thought suddenly make her think of Matthew? Worse, she couldn’t help but remember the velvety texture of his tongue as it caressed hers. The feel of his large hands cupping her derrière, pressing her hips closer to his manhood.
    She had to stop these dreadful thoughts. She could never have Matthew. He was a gambler who would go through her money like water.
     
    Matthew lay back against the soft bed thankful for the private room. After a few hours in the carriage with Somerton, he needed to be alone. Not that anyone would call Somerton a chatty fellow—just the opposite, in fact. The stony silence in the carriage had felt strangling and uncomfortable.
    But it had given him time to think and wonder about whom Jennette would introduce him to this week. He would give any lady his complete attention, no wandering erotic thoughts about Jennette.
    She was out of the question.
    She would always be John’s woman. While they had all been friends, Matthew had always known she preferred John. He’d had the title and someday would have inherited the lands and money. Matthew had been a second son with no prospects. John had the blond hair and blue eyes. She had loved him. They’d desired each other and just like five years ago, Matthew was the odd man out.
    He’d been terribly envious of John’s relationship with her. And he’d known John wasn’t the perfect man for Jennette. Still, Matthew had lost two friends that day.
    A knock pulled him out of his musing. “Yes?”
    Matthew sat up and waited for the door to open. Instead, a slip of paper slid under the door. He walked to the note and read it quickly.
    I need to speak with you in private. Meet me in the gardens in five minutes.
    J
    It was time to discover whom she planned to introduce him to this evening. Matthew dragged himself to the mirror. Brushing back his hair with his hands, he realized how badly he needed a haircut. His valet used to perform that duty. One more thing gone because of his father’s gaming.
    After straightening his cravat and jacket, he headed to the gardens. A harsh November wind blustered, making him wish he’d brought his greatcoat with him. Dried leaves crunched under the weight of his boots. Wandering through the dead flowers and fallen leaves, he searched for her. He looked toward a small boxwood holly to see her sitting on a bench with her black, wool cloak wrapped around her.
    She appeared innocent and, as she looked up at him, lonely. Her brilliant blue eyes held a haunting appearance.
    “What is wrong, Jennette?”
    She frowned and then smiled. “Nothing. It’s quite cold out here.”
    “Why did you need to meet with me?”
    “There are three ladies I think might approve of you.”
    Approve of him? “Who?”
    “Lady Anna Grange, Miss Mary Marston, and Miss Olivia