Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel Read Free Page B

her neck like a mushroom. She was lying on her backside, fully exposing her cream-colored heels, silk stockings, and pantaloons. The neck of her dress had slipped off her shoulders, exposing her collarbone. Silky blonde hair, uncoiled from one braid, hung limply against her throat. Struggling up on her elbows, she lifted her head and giggled, but he didn’t see anything amusing once he saw his grandmother’s broken lamp and a large scratch on the dressing table, made by the mirror’s fall.
    Edward wasn’t sure which to do first—move the mirror or help Anna to her feet. She was a funny sight to behold, and he felt his lips twitch in amusement. He’d never been so close to feminine underwear or ladies’ legs and was a little uncomfortable, but at the same time, he couldn’t help staring. The outline of her slender form beneath the stockings gave him pause, but he quickly knelt on one knee to assist her amid all the silken fabric. “What in the world . . . ?”
    “I couldn’t unbutton the center of my dress, and the heel of my shoe caught in my skirts. I’m sorry I made a mess of things.”
    She took his hand, and with one solid move he brought her to her feet, forcing her to topple directly into his chest. A fit of laughter bubbled from her throat as she steadied herself against him. Edward’s hand reached out for her delicate skin where the gown had slipped. She laughed again, and he joined her. Playful little thing, isn’t she? He suddenly had a premonition of things to come, and he felt like he was losing control. How could a woman with simmering blue eyes and curves cause him to forget who he was?
    “Why don’t you turn around and let me finish with yourgown?” he said after a moment. Slowly she twisted her back to him, and he sucked in his breath. Her white shoulder blades jutted out from her back as his fingers grazed her velvety skin, working to free the buttons from the frogs. As he reached the last button, the front of the gown fell forward. Desire flashed in him, and it was natural to draw her against his pounding chest until the back of her head nestled beneath his chin. He breathed deeply of the smell of her hair and skin, then encircled her with his arms, feeling the flimsy material of her chemise and her warm body beneath.
    Anna trembled with a soft sigh, then shifted slightly. Edward stifled the urge to keep holding her and dropped his arms. The next ten days were going to be very long. In two strides he was out the door as if the devil himself were after him.

3
    Now where had she put the list? Frantically, Anna, still clad in her robe, dug through the bureau drawer, then looked in the closet, but it was nowhere to be found. Worse yet, she’d overslept because she’d stared at the ceiling half the night listening to the even breathing of her husband lying inches from her. Edward must be downstairs. She’d already been in bed last night when he slipped beneath the sheets in his long handles, but she hoped he might pull her to him despite his “adjustment period” of ten days. She’d enjoyed the feel of his strong arms about her waist for those brief few moments last night when he’d assisted her with her gown.
    This searching was useless! Catharine always said she wouldn’t be able to find her head if it wasn’t already attached. Perhaps she’d left the list on the settee last night. Best to hurry down to the kitchen and see if she couldn’t get breakfast started. She could dress later.
    Unfortunately, when she swung open the door to the kitchen, the look on Edward’s face told her everything she needed to know. A folded newspaper in one hand and an empty coffee cup in the other, he stood staring at her, his eyes flicking over her entire body from top to bottom. Would it always be this way?
    “Edward, I’m sorry I over—”
    “Well, well, well, good morning. I see you finally finished your beauty rest. I didn’t want to wake you. Breakfast was at seven, but I’ve kept some