Jacquie D'Alessandro by Loveand the Single Heiress Page B

change of subject, but he answered. “Cook’s fresh-baked scones with strawberry jam.”
    “How do you know they’re your favorite?”
    “Because I tried them…” His voice trailed off as understanding dawned in his eyes.
    “Exactly. You wouldn’t have discovered your very favorite food if you hadn’t tried it the first time. I wouldn’t have known that I could pound the piss out of those ruffians if I hadn’t tried. If I hadn’t wanted to. If I hadn’t been determined. The only thing stopping you from doing the things you want to do is you , Spencer. By thinking that you can’t.”
    A heartbreaking combination of doubt, confusion, and hope ignited in his eyes. “You think I can?”
    “I know you can.”
    “You’d teach me?”
    “You’ve only to ask.”
    “But…what if I fail?”
    “You can only fail if you don’t try. If you don’t take that first step, you’ll never know how far you might go. If you at least make an attempt, you’ve already succeeded.”
    “Are those more words of wisdom from your father?”
    “No. Those are hard-won lessons I had to learn for myself. Lessons no one offered to teach me.”
    “The way you’re offering to teach me.”
    “Yes.”
    He frowned and plucked at his sleeve again, clearly debating. Finally, he said, “Mother won’t like it, you know. She’ll be afraid I’ll hurt myself.” A red flush stained his cheeks. “In truth, I might be a bit afraid of that myself.”
    “We’ll go very slowly. A great deal of it involves balance, and I’ve a number of ideas how to help you with that. And if, at any time, you want to cease our lessons, we shall.”
    The boy drew a deep breath, then straightened his spine. Andrew’s heart warmed at the combination of determination and tentative eagerness shining in his eyes. “When can we begin?” he asked. “Tomorrow?”
    “Tomorrow it is.”
    “Best to do it when Mother won’t be about,” Spencer said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial level. “I’d suggest after breakfast. That’s when she spends an hour in her rooms seeing to her correspondence.”
    “Agreed.”
    “After our lesson, I’ll take you to the warm springs. It will be especially fine to soak after our exertions.”
    Andrew managed a weak smile. “The warm springs. Yes, that sounds delightful.”
    He made another quick mental note—to fabricate something that required his immediate attention after his lesson with Spencer so as to avoid the trip to the warm springs. He had no intention of getting anywhere near the water. Like father, like son…

Chapter 7
    Today’s Modern Woman should not be afraid to take the upper hand during lovemaking. Touch your lover in the manner you’d like to be touched. Although he may at first express surprise at such bold behavior, be confident that your forthrightness will ultimately lead to very satisfactory results.

    A Ladies’ Guide to the Pursuit of
Personal Happiness and Intimate Fulfillment
by Charles Brightmore
    C atherine arrived home from her visit with Genevieve feeling unsettled. Between their conversation about Mr. Stanton and the shooting, she was more than a little perturbed.
    Surrendering her bonnet and shawl to Milton, she asked, “Have any messages arrived from my father?”
    “No, my lady.”
    Fustian. Swallowing her disappointment, she asked, “Where is Spencer?”
    “Taking his afternoon rest.”
    “And Mr. Stanton?” She pressed her lips together, thoroughly annoyed that her heart seemed to skip a beat just saying his name.
    “When last I saw him, he was on his way to his bedchamber, presumably to rest before dinner. Shall I arrange for tea for you, my lady?”
    “No, thank you.” Certainly she was relieved, not disappointed, that Mr. Stanton wasn’t about. “The weather is so delightful, and as I took the carriage to visit Mrs. Ralston, I believe I’ll walk to the stables and see how Fritzborne is faring.” Her head groom had injured his hand while repairing the stable