Read Laurie's Painter (sweet Regency romance) for Free Online Page A

know the real Jenny instead of imagining
the perfect woman, yet not knowing her at all.
    And...this slow slide into
feelings warmer than he had ever known was better than that old, mooncalf
longing. It did not feel so...soul-consuming, but all the same, it was growing.
    He didn't know if Jenny
felt more than friendship, but he did. This journey into love was something he
might have been able to pull back from. But he realised, like a slow sunrise,
that he didn't want to.
    Laurie never thought he'd
love again after feeling so humiliated, so foolish. But now...now he realised
he'd never really loved before.
    And I think I want to
spend the rest of my life discovering this woman.
    It was a terrifying and
beautiful discovery, sudden and overwhelming. He didn't even know if Jenny
could ever feel the same way, or if he would continue to feel this way. He
gripped the reins tightly and tried to clear his whirling head.
    Did love make one mad? Or
had he found the truest kind of sanity for the first time in his life?
    ~*~
    Jenny turned her head to
smile at the handsome gentleman beside her. How like a dream! She was halfway
afraid of waking up and having to get the fire going and make breakfast all
over again. But surely a dream wouldn't be so detailed? She could see each avid
face watching them in surprising detail. Could still remember the warmth of his
hand through the satin of her faded dress as he handed her up.
    She'd loved the feel of that
touch: it felt intimate yet entirely appropriate. His arm was warm, strong, and
muscular. And now, riding together, it seemed as though they were in perfect
harmony, as if nothing could go wrong, they could solve any problem together
and make the world a better place. And, that if it were ever necessary, he
would defend her perfectly.
    It felt like they were
going somewhere important together, not just to the park, but somewhere,
together, in their lives. She loved that feeling, even if she didn't completely
understand it.
    Even the air smelled
special today.
    A few yards ahead, a fruit
seller called, offering apples and citrus. She sometimes bought citrus for her
brother from the man. He never had an unkind word for anyone, this fixture on
their street. Sometimes he took his wares with him and sold in a better spot,
such as near an opera where wealthy people might pass by and wish for fruit. But
most of the time he was here.
    Surely in a dream he
wouldn't look so real?
    There were times when Jenny
felt a bit awkward and wished not to be noticed, walking outside their home,
doing errands and the marketing. Today was not one of those days. She sat tall
and proud and happy, still barely able to believe this was real life and not
some fairy-tale dream she would forget moments after waking.
    When Laurie drew to a halt
in front of the fruit seller, it felt perfectly right and natural, as if that
was exactly what had to happen next in the fairy-tale.
    "A dozen each of your
best apples and oranges, please," said Joysey, hopping down with elegant
grace and handing his reins to his groom. He paid the seller a far larger sum
than he should have. The fruit seller wrapped the purchase in paper, treating
Joysey like the gentleman he obviously was.
    Joysey handed the fruit to
his groom for safekeeping and returned to Jenny's side, taking up the reins
again. As they moved away, Jenny spoke. "I was unaware you were so hungry
for fruit, sir."
    Laurie replied in his
teasing voice. "Oh yes, I have an inordinate appetite for fruit." She
thought she heard another tone beneath his words but wasn't certain. Jenny felt
warm and happy. That they could banter like this seemed to make the gift
acceptable; of course it was for her and her brother.
    She didn't know if she could
get Henry to accept it, but it would be very good for him to have fruit to eat.
Why, he could have one of each for twelve days. Or they could last twenty-four
days, if he ate one a day. If only Henry wouldn't refuse.
    "Tell your brother I
didn't