Chapter One

Missy quietly observed James perusing a book through the hand-span opening of the library door. An instantaneous burst of anticipation and desire collided inside her. Her breath hitched in her throat.

Consistent with his insouciant observance of societal norms, only a starchy tan linen shirt and dark green trousers graced his lean frame in casual elegance. On his feet, he wore a pair of high black Wellingtons. However, his notably absent waistcoat and neckcloth only served to magnify the aura of power and intrigue about him and enhance his charismatic appeal.

And he was alone.

With James, Thomas and Alex dogging each other's steps, the task of getting him to herself this visit had been one worthy of a spy for the Crown. Such a shame it had come to this, all the sneaking about she'd had to do.

With James constantly jaunting off to one country or the other and coming home for only snatches at a time, they had had scant contact over the past three years. He claimed it was for business but she suspected she had factored largely into his frequent and lengthy absences.

It could have just been a coincidence that his excessive travels had commenced two weeks after the incident. The kiss. She suspected it had been her impetuousness that had earned her the subsequent years of avoidance and neglect. But, it was the news of Miss Adelaide Bash's betrothal that would confirm her suspicions, providing the nail and hammer that would etch it into stone.

Part of the landed gentry, Miss Bash was pretty-though not uncommonly so. And while her family was land rich,