The Rakehell Regency(278)

Pamela continued to knit and he sat by her and watched, so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from his broad muscular thigh.



The impression of growing intimacy despite what he had said was reinforced when he apologized quietly some time later. "I'm sorry if I shocked you before, Pamela. I just keep thinking of the problems you've had with Mr. Prine, and some of the other men in the district."



She blushed, knowing he must have heard the gossip about Timothy Bridges at the last hunt. "I have learnt my lesson amply. Thank you for all your help."



"I merely wish to see you safe. Married to someone who will be worthy of you."



She quirked one brow. "According to you, I'm not very worthy. Far too frivolous, in fact."



He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I have no right to judge. And I have never intended to censure your worth. I merely fear you having your head turned. Many women far more intelligent and seemingly canny have suffered the most dire fates trusting in men's hollow protestations."



Pamela raised her brows. "And an equal number, I dare say, have been deceived with the opposite approach, that of the poor lonely bachelor pining away for the right woman to change his life."



Jonathan stared at her almost angrily for a moment, then laughed. "A palpable hit, my dear. It's true. I've seen it work for many men. Their claim that they are dying due to loneliness does seem to pluck rather successfully at many women's heart-strings."



He rose from his armchair. "I can see I shall have to be more careful about who I'm candid with. The last thing I would wish is for me to become an object of your pity. I've made my decision for a number of sound reasons of principle, and that shall never change."



She quirked one brow. "Shall never, or will never?"



Jonathan shook his head, bowed, and stepped away.



Pamela sat blushing for a time, wondering how she had dared challenge him so. He had as good as warned her off yet again, yet still she had pressed him. And still he had stayed. Was it her imagination? Or did his steely gray eyes take on a special gentleness when he looked at her?



Henry now came over to offer her a game of backgammon, and Pamela had no further time to consider her odd relationship with her vicar before it was time for them all to go upstairs to bed.



"Jonathan, would you please come see Baby Arthur before you go to bed? For a blessing?" Vanessa asked.



"Of course, my dear. With pleasure. In fact, I would certainly like to give one to you all. It has been a most happy day, and I hope the beginning of many more like it."



"Happy despite the letter from Michael?" Clifford asked quietly, his blue eyes never leaving his friend's face.



"Yes, of course. He's alive and well, even with all that's happened to him. That alone is cause for thanksgiving." He took his friend's hand and his sister's and began to pray aloud. "Heavenly Father, we would like to give you thanks..."



The others all drew together in a circle, Pamela on the other side of Sarah, with Henry on her left. At the end of the prayer he embraced Clifford, patting him on the back soundly, then kissed his sister.



Pamela found herself the next recipient of his attentions. He laid his hands on her shoulders and looked deeply into her eyes, then moved his touch to the sides of her head. "Every blessing upon you, my dear." He kissed her on the forehead with just the lightest touch, but it was so overwhelming she felt her legs giving way beneath her.



His warmth, nearness, his clean masculine fragrance, that of a light soap with a whiff of sandalwood, swirled around her like an enveloping cloak. The warmth emanating from him filled her with a drowsy, voluptuous contentment. She found herself moving forward to lean into his body. Their hips brushed lightly, and for a moment he looked as though he would draw her even closer.



Then with a startled blink he stepped backwards, almost onto Henry's foot. He hugged him and moved on to Josephine, then Vanessa to kiss them in the same way he had Pamela.



But his kisses were much more perfunctory, and he only laid one hand on each of their bowed heads.



"Come, my dear," he said, taking Vanessa's arm. "Let's go see your lovely little man."



Clifford walked out with the pair, leaving Henry to play the host.



"Time for bed everyone?"



"Yes, indeed," Sarah agreed. "It's been a wonderful but long day."



"You'll stay for dinner tomorrow and head back afterwards?"



"Yes, a good ride, breakfast, and a call over to the Jeromes would be most pleasant if you think your parents are up to a visit, Josephine?"



"Oh, always. If not, then the siblings are."