Page 47 of It's a British Christmas

Adam turned to her. “Miss Allen? May I escort you?”

All the girls who were her best friends a few minutes ago glared at her as they entered the church and found their seats. As usual, Mama and Eve went to the front, and settled in the first pew. Adam joined them, sitting on the end. He looked over at her and winked!

In church!

His wink and slight smile told her he understood what had just happened outside. She felt a warm glow, almost as if they shared a secret. With more enthusiasm than she normally displayed for church services, she sang the first song as Papa directed the congregation.

By the time the service ended, Eve had serious concerns for her soul. She’d spent the entire hour that she was supposed to be examining her conscience and thinking about the Lord, instead thinking about another lord. The one who sat alongside her. The heat from his body had her wanting to fan herself.

The pleasant scent of soap, as well as something that she’d never smelled before, wafted over her. It seemed to radiate from his jacket, and she was afraid if she inhaled any deeper, she would black out. Every time he moved his knee, her eyes were drawn there. But the worst thing was whenever she glanced in his direction, he was watching her.

Thank goodness Papa had not paid any attention to them at all, speaking to the congregation, rather than focusing on them. Mama hadn’t noticed Eve’s discomfort, either, so aside from the sweat forming on her body due to the torture she’d just gone through, no one was the wiser that she had done no praying at all.

Part of her couldn’t wait for Adam to fully recover and leave, and another part dreaded the day he would say goodbye and walk out of her life forever. Then memories of Becky strengthened her resolve.

Never had Adam enjoyed a church service more than he had this morning. He probably could not repeat a single word Reverend Allen had said, so focused was he on Eve. There was no denying she’d captured his interest far beyond any woman he’d ever met. Just sitting next to her, with him finally clothed and feeling more like a man than an invalid, he drank in the scent of her. Lavender and vanilla.

When she had joined him in the kitchen, in the white gown, embroidered with colorful flowers along the bodice, the cuffs of the long sleeves and hem, he wanted to pull her into his arms and ravish her mouth. Press her up against his strengthening body, feel her soft curves teasing his hard planes.

Her demure outfit, finished off by a straw hat that had to be several years out of fashion, sent his blood pumping to the wrong place. Hell and damnation, he’d remained unmoved by flirty widows and skilled courtesans, dressed in low-cut expensive gowns, yet this innocent rector’s daughter had him thinking of all the interesting ways he could take her, and introduce her to lovemaking.

All the time he sat there in church.

Before he got himself into trouble, he had better take his leave of the Allen family. His good sense kept telling him if he was well enough to go to church, he was well enough to travel home. Get as far away from Eve as he could before he made a major mistake. He would write to his man of business, today if possible, and have him send a carriage to collect him.

Grateful when the service ended, he stood and escorted Eve and Mrs. Allen from the building. A flock of women descended upon them, vying for his attention, and requesting introductions. Eve handled it all gracefully, as she did everything else.

“My lord, will you be joining us for our church supper?” A young woman, who had been introduced to him as Miss Grace Monroe sidled up to him, effectively replacing Eve at his side.

He tamped down his annoyance, and gave her a warm smile. “Yes, indeed. Miss Allen has graciously invited me, and I am anxious to taste the tempting mutton stew she brought with her.”

More so, he was anxious to taste her, but that thought was best kept to himself.

“Oh.” Miss Monroe’s smile faded. Then she leaned toward him. “I brought a lovely pea salad that I’m sure you would enjoy.” She flicked her eyelashes, and he was almost tempted to laugh, but did not want to embarrass the girl.

“Yes. I am sure I will.” He turned to Eve and extended his elbow. “Are you ready?”

He would love to spend the rest of his life watching that smile light up her face.

The rest of his life? Where the devil had that thought come from?

As they walked slowly from the church to the small building next door, where everyone was headed, he enjoyed the feeling of Eve at his side. So much better than her bent over him while she tended to his injury.

The building slowly filled with members of the congregation, the women carrying plates and hampers of food they transported to a long table set at the front of the room. He and Eve were certainly the center of attention, which was no surprise since he doubted small villages saw strangers amongst their midst very often.

“My lord, I saved a seat for you here.” Miss Appleby waved in his direction, while Miss Grace glowered at her. “I have a seat saved for his lordship here.” The other girl patted a chair next to her.

Botheration. He didn’t want to insult either woman, but he had no intention of sitting anywhere except next to Eve. He was finally able to present himself to her as a whole man, not a helpless invalid.

Luckily, Mr. Allen stepped up and clapped his hand on Adam’s good shoulder. “Ladies, I’m afraid as our guest, his lordship will be sitting with me, Mrs. Allen, and our daughter.”

Several young, female faces fell as they watched him and the Allens move toward a table near the front of the room and settle themselves. The reverend gave him a slight grin. “I hope you are not too disturbed by all the attention, my lord. New faces tend to do that to the members.”

“You mean to the female members, in this case,” Mrs. Allen smirked. “I believe his lordship is feeling quite pulled in several directions at once.” She shook her head. “Could you imagine the reaction at the church social next Friday night?”

Adam turned to Eve. “Are you attending the social?”

She looked quite surprised. Perhaps she expected, or wanted, him to be long gone by then. He probably should be, but right now he was more interested in learning all about this fascinating woman buried here in a small village, and needed to write to his man of business for a carriage home, anyway.