An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

‘Ye-es.’ She opened her eyes wide. The horrible practice of leading a man at sword-point between two rows of sailors while they whipped at him with frayed pieces of rope had made her doubly afraid for Sebastian when he’d joined the navy. As if storms and cannons hadn’t been enough to worry about... ‘But I thought the practice was banned now?’

‘I could make an exception.’

She let out a shuddering laugh. ‘I appreciate the thought, but I’ve put what happened behind me. It took a long time, but I have.’

‘You shouldn’t have to just put it behind you. He should be made to pay for his behaviour.’

‘He did. There was a scandal involving another woman a few months later and he was sent off to the army. I’ve no idea what happened to him, but I should think going to war was sufficient punishment.’

‘Still not enough.’

‘Samuel.’ She pulled her thumb free from his grasp, rubbing it gently across the tops of his fingers. ‘It spoiled my life for a long time, but I don’t want to think of it any more. I didn’t tell you so that you could take some kind of revenge. I told you because...’ she hesitated ‘...well, because I wanted to explain why I felt the way I did about the aristocracy.’

‘All right.’ He nodded slowly. ‘No revenge, if that’s truly what you want.’

‘It is.’ She lifted her spare hand to her face, swiping away the tears that seemed to have leaked out from the corners of her eyes. ‘So, in answer to your original question, no, I’ve never seriously thought about marriage. I don’t want to marry just for business reasons and I’m fortunate that I don’t need a husband to take care of me. My shop gives me independence and security.’

‘But you don’t enjoy it.’

‘I never said that.’

‘You said you’d be happy if you never baked another biscuit in your whole life.’

‘Well...yes...but I do enjoy the business side of it.’

‘Doing accounts?’ He looked sceptical.

‘Yes. I like working with figures. Accounts, prices, haggling, all of that. It’s just the baking that doesn’t suit me.’

‘So what if you had a baker to do that part for you? Then you could just do the things you enjoy.’

‘I’d have to pay a baker.’

‘But if you had a husband who was willing to help you? One who didn’t see you as a business proposition, but wanted you to be happy?’

‘I don’t know.’ She felt colour wash over her cheeks. ‘I told you I’ve never really considered marriage.’

?

?Neither have I until recently. Only now I can’t seem to stop thinking about it. It’s a curious feeling.’

‘Samuel...’

‘Do you know what else is curious?’ he went on, looking down at their still-joined hands. ‘That I spent my first four months on shore wishing I were back at sea again and yet recently I’ve thought about it less and less. Hardly at all for the past few days.’

‘Oh.’ She felt her pulse flutter at the implication.

‘The only reason I can think of is you.’

‘We weren’t even talking to each other a week ago!’

‘But we are now.’ The side of his thigh nudged against her leg. ‘You’re the most honest and loyal woman I’ve ever met. You’re also the only person who understands how I feel about my family and this inheritance. It makes me wonder whether we might be compatible in other ways, too. I think we would be.’

Anna caught her breath at the words. They made her wonder, too. Could they be a good match? But surely he couldn’t be suggesting what it sounded as though he was suggesting, especially when so much was still undecided... She felt her temperature rise and then plummet again abruptly.

‘Wait, is this because of your grandmother?’

He looked confused. ‘What do you mean?’