Page 64 of Mesmerized

Olivia chuckled. She knew exactly what her great-uncle meant, and it made her heart beat faster to think that Stephen St. Leger might look at her in that way.

Downstairs, Stephen turned to his former partner. “Rafe.” He shook his head, smiling. “I never thought I would see you here.”

Rafe grinned. “I got bored, sitting there in Colorado by myself. Some fancy Eastern outfit kept wanting to buy me out. So I thought...why not? There are a bunch of things I haven’t seen or done yet. There’s no more adventure to be had out of that mine. It’s just business dealings now, and you know me—I’m not all that fond of sitting around talking about money.”

“So you sold it?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Invested in some other things. Went back home for a little while. But it hardly seems like home anymore. Some changes you just can’t get past, you know.”

Stephen nodded.

“So I thought, why not see Europe? And I caught a boat over here. I figured, since I was in the country, I might as well look you up.”

“I’m glad you did.” Stephen nodded toward the stairs. “Come on. I’ll show you to your room, and I’ll get cleaned up. Then we can sit back and discuss old times.”

“Sure. Long as you got something stronger than tea.”

Stephen chuckled. “I do.”

They started up the stairs.

* * *

LATER, THE TWO of them settled in Stephen’s study, sipping glasses of Scotch that Rafe allowed to be “damn near as good as sour mash,” while they waited for Olivia and her great-uncle to join them.

“I approve,” Rafe said idly.

“Of what?”

Rafe grinned. “Your lady friend.”

“What makes you—” Stephen stopped as Rafe let out a chuckle.

“You think I’m blind?” Rafe asked. “It’s clear there’s something going on between the two of you.”

“I’m not sure exactly what is going on. She’s, well, she’s different.”

“I figured that, to have caught you. You always seemed pretty down on high-toned ladies.”

“Mmm,” Stephen answered noncommittally.

“What’s the matter? Miss Moreland not the right sort for you?”

Stephen smiled to himself. “I don’t know if you can say that Lady Olivia is any ‘sort’ at all. She is rather unique. Her father is a duke.”

“Yeah? She and her uncle don’t seem high-and-mighty.”

“Oh, she’s not. Not at all. Her family is quite egalitarian. They are something of an oddity. Which only adds to her charm.” His face softened unconsciously. “She is witty and independent and intelligent, and when I look at her—”

Stephen stopped and shook his head. “I don’t want to make a mistake. I’m not looking for a wife. I decided long ago that I would not marry. My history in that regard is poor, at best.”

“But this isn’t the same girl who made you gun-shy, is she?”

Stephen grimaced. “God, no. Olivia is nothing like Pamela.”

“Then what’s the worry? There’s no reason to think that this one will break your heart.”

“Sometimes it’s easier to say that than to believe it.” Stephen sighed. “I want her, more than I ever wanted Pamela. There have been a time or two when I barely remembered to play the gentleman. But I can’t help thinking, what if this is like that other time, with Pamela? What if it is only lust I feel, and it fades as quickly as my lust for Pamela did after I left England?” He looked up at his friend. “I have always said I distrusted ladies. I’m not sure whether it’s simply that or if I distrust myself, as well.”