Her One True Love by Rachel Brimble Page A

better in him taking her views seriously.
    She closed the hand he’d held in a bid to keep the warmth of his skin, the illusion of their unity, on her palm awhile longer. Would the infernal sensation in her heart that they should be together, as husband and wife . . . as workers side by side, ever abate? Her belief she had conquered her futile feelings toward him appeared to be entirely unfounded, if her anger at his treatment at tea was anything to hold measure by. He needed to leave. Go home and stay far away from Bath.
    She tipped her head to look at him. He already studied her. She snatched her gaze away. His blue eyes burned with questions. Jane swallowed as her mouth dried. He might not ever love her, but she had always valued their friendship and didn’t want that to change. Her defense of him had been a reflex. One she didn’t regret.
    She inhaled. “Why don’t we sit awhile in the park?”
    â€œIs it warm enough?”
    â€œIt’s fine.”
    â€œYou won’t be cold?”
    Always gracious, always caring, no matter the look in his eyes . She shook her head and looked at him again. “Believe me, what happened in the tearoom has stoked a fire inside me hot enough to keep us both warm.”
    His mouth twitched as though fighting a smile. “Well then, the park it is.”
    Cursing the amused tone of his voice and her stupid choice of words that could be deemed suggestive, Jane hurried her pace. His gait lengthened, easily matching hers, thus thwarting her need for some distance from him. By his side, she felt small, petite, and altogether too womanly. She wanted to stand tall and firm in front of him. Make him see that, despite Mrs. Wrexford’s clear intention to embarrass him, Jane longed to know his inner thoughts and feelings.
    Mostly as far as Elizabeth was concerned.
    Nerves knotted Jane’s stomach. She had no right to ask anything of him, but ask she must. She was tired of speculating and guessing what he did or didn’t feel. Whether she was entitled to them or not, she wanted answers. Considering their time together would soon end, the courage to ask if he only saw a friend whenever he looked at her surged through her. Even though his answer might cause more hurt than she’d already suffered.
    She had to know.
    They walked down the stone steps into the gardens. The beauty of the red-, gold-, and bronze-colored leaves, the vast expanse of the rich, green grass, and the varied colors of the ladies’ dresses lifted a little of the tension in Jane’s shoulders.
    After a moment’s brief hesitation, she slipped her hand into Matthew’s elbow, her heart skipping a beat when he once more closed his hand over hers on his forearm.
    â€œI appreciated your support with your friends.” His deep, masculine voice cut into her thoughts. “I hope in doing so, you haven’t alienated them. I would hate to think I am the cause of your losing company.”
    She met his gaze, as annoyance fueled once again inside. “If I have lost Katy’s friendship over defending you, then it was hardly worth having in the first place.”
    â€œBut still, it is hard for me to think you would’ve been welcomed into their circle if it weren’t for my estrangement from Elizabeth. Despite Mrs. Wrexford’s misplaced judgment of me, I suspect the issues they discuss would interest you.”
    â€œPossibly.” She glanced at him. “But working with children is what I feel most compelled to do. I suspect it always will be.” They approached a man playing the spoons, his flat cap on the ground spotted with a spattering of coins. Drawing to a stop, Jane eased her hand from Matthew’s arm and withdrew a few coins from her reticule before tossing them into the cap.
    The man dipped his head in thanks, and Jane smiled before closing her reticule and holding Matthew’s arm once more. “The timing feels right, and sooner or