Read Touch Me for Free Online

husband as they were true. She didn’t like to tell boldfaced lies unless it was absolutely necessary. Mr. Ralston was gone—because he’d never existed. She’d only loved one man in her life, and Richard had never offered marriage. Of course, she’d known men didn’tmarry their mistresses, especially men of the peerage. Titled gentlemen might give their hearts to their bed partners, but they gave their name only to women of their own social class. Assuming the role of a widow had lent her the respectability necessary to fit in here in the quiet village she’d chosen to make her home. And after Richard had cast her aside, she had indeed felt like a widow who’d lost her life’s partner.
    “Gone?” Mr. Cooper repeated. “You mean for the afternoon?”
    Obviously the bold-faced lie was necessary. Genevieve shook her head. “No. He passed away.”
    His expression turned solemn. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “Thank you. It happened years ago.”
    “Years ago?” he repeated softly. His gaze skimmed over her and when his eyes once again met hers, her breath caught at the unmistakable interest and admiration glimmering in the green depths. “You must have married as a child.”
    A tingle she’d last felt long ago rushed through Genevieve and this time she knew she wasn’t wrong. Clearly just because she’d been out of the game for an extended period didn’t mean she’d forgotten how to play.
    Mr. Cooper was flirting with her.
    The realization stunned her. Intrigued her. It was so long since a man had shown that sort of interest in her. The last man had been Richard—
    Reality returned with a slap and her gaze dropped to her gloved hands. Richard hadn’t wanted her to touch him any more. She’d learned her lesson. Learned it well. Whatever stirrings of attraction Mr. Cooper might be feeling would quickly die if he saw the imperfections her gloves hid.
    Genevieve raised her gaze back to his and cleared her throat. “We weren’t married very long before he passed. And you Mr. Cooper—are you married?”
    “No. I travel a good bit with my work for Mr. Jonas–Smythe, so I’m not in one place long enough to form deep attachments.” A slow grin that could only be described as devilish curved his lips. “So far no woman will have me.”
    Genevieve barely suppressed the incredulous “Ha!” that rose in her throat. She didn’t doubt that as many women as he wanted had had him—in any way he chose to be had. He’d most likely left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. The unmarried ladies of Little Longstone would buzz around Mr. Cooper like bees to a hive. Which of them might lose their heart to this devastatingly attractive man? She didn’t know. But she would not be one of them.

4
    R ELIEF washed through Genevieve when Baxter entered the room bearing a tray holding the silver tea service, and a platter filled with scones, clotted cream and her favorite raspberry jam. Mr. Cooper had unnerved her in a way that both intrigued and confused her, and she welcomed the respite of Baxter’s presence.
    After setting everything on the table in front of her, Baxter then proceeded to pour the tea, his huge hands handling the delicate china far more efficiently than she could. When he finished, he rose to his full height and cracked his knuckles.
    “Will ye be needin’ anything else?” he asked Genevieve, shooting Mr. Cooper a glowering scowl. Mr. Cooper smiled in return, which only darkened Baxter’s expression further.
    “No, thank you, Baxter.”
    Baxter headed toward the door, his heavy footfalls rattling the porcelain on the mantel. “Holler if ye need me. I’ll be close by.” With that he quit the room.
    “Clearly if I’m foolish enough to give you any reason to ‘holler,’ I shall find my innards in Baxter’s large hands,” Mr. Cooper said in a very serious tone.
    “Your innards would indeed become out ards,” Genevieve agreed, indicating he should help himself to sugar or cream for his