She had to look her father’s sister in the eye and tell her the Stanhope name had been disgraced yet again. She closed her eyes briefly as she realized her day’s ordeals were not over.

I thank you once again.”Ĭollecting what little pride she had left, she turned again toward her aunt’s house, her back as straight as her wobbly legs would allow. “If you please, sir,” she said with as much of her Managing Ways as she could muster, “I would not have you presume. She felt as if all the breath had been knocked out of her, a slow, prickling sensation began creeping up the back of her legs toward the bottom of her spine, and she clutched her possessions tightly so she would not be tempted to reach out and touch him back. She quickly brushed his hand away from her face and tried hard to look anywhere but in his eyes. If merely looking into his eyes made her feel like a giddy girl, a state Titania couldn’t recall ever experiencing, then she couldn’t even name the feelings brought on by his touch. But before you go,” he said, bringing his hand up to her face to push an escaped tendril of hair back into her bonnet, “first let me put you to rights.” He tucked the stray tress into her bonnet and then let his hand rest briefly on her cheek as if he could not stop himself from caressing her. “I have discomposed you once already today, and I should not wish to tempt you again. “As you wish, miss,” said the stranger, inclining his head with a mocking air. Given the disastrous happenings of the day, all she wanted, all she deserved, was to be alone to stew in her own misery. This man was merely being gentlemanly, but she did not deserve his kindness. Titania wished the ground would open up and swallow her. The man just continued looking at her, his green eyes beginning to warm.

It is just there, so I will not encounter any more mishaps.” She pointed with a shaky finger to a tall town house across the street. “Thank you, sir, for your assistance once again.

His Study in Scandal by Megan Frampton