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."Then you can tell him yourself at the Assembly Rooms tonight.""I just very well may!" Yesterday, he would have had no courage against a sport-mad fellow like Appleton.What in the devil had come over him in a single day's time?* * *Jonathan was gratified that his sister-in-law had arranged to once again pick up Miss Arbuckle for the assembly, owing to the cold.He wouldn't put it past that Appleton to try to get a fetching-looking thing like Miss Arbuckle in his shiny new carriage for lascivious purposes.Once the heavily bundled lady was seated beside him in the coach, Glee addressed her."Did I tell you my brother and Sally are coming to Winston Hall for Christmas?""How wonderful!" Miss Arbuckle could not suppress the joy from her sweet voice."This will be their first Christmas in Bath since they married, is it not?""Yes, it will be a very merry gathering.Felicity has asked me to invite you and your mother to share the Christmas goose with us.Thomas plans to send his coach for you, if that is agreeable to you.""It is very kind of you to remember us," Miss Arbuckle said."I suppose your family is the closest thing we have to family.""All of us—me, Felicity, and Sally—do think of you almost as a sister."Oddly, Jonathan rather warmed to the idea of having Miss Arbuckle be part of his family.When they reached the Assembly Rooms, he assisted her in removing her outer garments and was once again displeased that so much of her delicate skin was exposed.His gaze whisked over her bare flesh to the graceful drape of the soft yellow gown she wore.She looked up at him, smiling."Will you do me the goodness of standing up with me the first set?" he asked, most determinedly preventing his greedy gaze from dropping to her plump breasts.What the devil had come over him? In the past four years he'd never precisely thought of her as a woman, and now he could not purge his mind of her femininity.On the dance floor, they faced each other on the longway, and again, he eyed the bodice of her pretty saffron-coloured gown, but the true attraction was what filled the bodice.Unlike other men, he'd never been terribly aware of those.things, but now he imagined what it would be like to.Dear God! What was he thinking! This was dear Miss Arbuckle, not some doxy!When it was their turn to clutch hands and gracefully move down the longway together, he could have burst with pride that this lovely creature was his.His great friend, that is.Though as he thought on it, he liked to think of Miss Arbuckle as his.Somewhat in the same way Gregory fancied Glee.Which meant.Good lord! He lost count of his steps and stumbled.His pulse rocketed.Instead of being embarrassed over her partner's incompetence, she favored him with a sweet smile, and he was swamped with a sense of well-being.It was while they were dancing that he saw Appleton, standing in the doorway with Sir Elvin and eying Miss Arbuckle with an arrogant smirk.The time had come for Jonathan to assert himself as her protector.When the dance was finished, he walked Miss Arbuckle to the scarlet settee next to Glee, then strode up to Appleton and Sir Elvin, just as Gregory joined them."Are you looking for my twin?" Sir Elvin asked Jonathan."No." Jonathan's gaze bore into Appleton's face as if drawn by a magnet."I have come to demand that you cease showering your attentions upon Miss Arbuckle."Gregory's mouth dropped open."Now see here, old boy, you can't go ordering my friends about like that.""Miss Arbuckle has no brothers, no father," said Jonathan."It is for me to defend her honor."Appleton's eyes widened."Are you saying that you are betrothed to the lady?""I am not betrothed to the lady, but I am far more suited for her than you will ever be!""I believe I have more to offer the lady than you do," Appleton challenged."Miss Arbuckle is not interested in wealth."Appleton tossed his head back and laughed."The woman has not been born who is disinterested in wealth." His face hardened, and he came close enough to Jonathan that Jonathan could smell the brandy upon his breath."If you weren't Blanks's little brother, I'd call you out!""Go ahead!" Jonathan shouted.Dear God, what am I getting myself into? What happened to his life-long cowardice? Appleton was not only considerably larger than Jonathan, he was also well trained in pugilism, sword fighting, and shooting.I am a dead man.Gregory wedged himself between the two men, shouting, "I will not permit this! Appleton's had too much to drink, and neither of you know what you're doing.Why do you not go declare yourself to Miss Arbuckle, Jonathan?" It had been many years since Gregory had directed such a searing gaze upon Jonathan.It suddenly became clear to Jonathan what he had to do.He had to do this for himself.Chapter 6"You must have confidence in my ability to read human nature," Glee told Miss Arbuckle after Mr.Blankenship left her at Glee's settee."Jonathan is exceptionally vexed with Appleton." Glee lowered her voice."I most cleverly arranged that we would drive past your house this morning whilst I knew Appleton would be there."Miss Arbuckle's eyes rounded."You asked Mr.Appleton to visit me, did you not?""Of course I did.And you must believe me when I tell you that Jonathan could not conceal his anger."Miss Arbuckle could barely concentrate on Glee's words when she witnessed Mr.Blankenship storming across the ballroom floor and greeting Mr.Appleton.Even though it was Sir Elvin who addressed him, Jonathan Blankenship could not remove his angry gaze from Mr.Appleton."You must not watch Jonathan," Glee cautioned."Do not permit him to see that you're concerned.""I cannot heed you," Miss Arbuckle snapped with uncharacteristic sharpness."Can you not see that poor Jonathan may very well be initiating fisticuffs with Mr.Appleton, who is considerably larger than him! Do you really think I am the cause of this scene?""Of course you are! Jonathan's in love with you.Have I not told you that any number of times?"Miss Arbuckle turned an anguished face upon her friend."We must do something! I would die if something should happen to Jonathan." Twice now, she had referred to the man she loved by his Christian name [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]