Page 15 of Courting Claudia

As if she could read his thoughts, her hand moved to her abdomen. Her head tilted to the right, and her features scrunched. “Then why are you here?”

“I already answered that.”

She chewed her lip and thought for a moment. “To see me?” She smiled.

“Yes.”

“I wasn’t expecting guests.” She motioned to her gown. “Or I would have dressed more appropriately.”

“I see nothing inappropriate about your clothes, but I do apologize for interrupting. I could come back.”

“No. Now is fine.”

“What are you working on?” He came to stand behind her at the easel to view her painting up close. It was a typical watercolor, the kind of painting appropriate for a young woman. The tingle of peppermint teased his nose—he had noticed it when they danced, but wasn’t sure it was she. He leaned in slightly and sniffed her hair. How fitting—subtle yet refreshing and energetic all at the same time.

“A watercolor. I’m working on shadows.” She took a step back and stepped right on his boot.

“Gracious. Did I hurt you?” She looked truly concerned.

He had to laugh. “No, you didn’t hurt me. You paint well, but your drawings are much better.” He took her hand—it was warm within his, her small round fingers tipped with short-cropped nails.

She gazed up at him with her huge blue eyes, and he nearly forgot everything. Why he was here. Why he needed to court her. Everything but how deep and blue her eyes were and how he wanted to get lost in them and see what else Claudia Prattley could make him forget.

He led her to the garden bench, and once they were seated, she pulled her hand away and set it in her lap. Her movement broke the spell—it was a damned good thing. He didn’t need to be getting lost in anyone’s eyes. He’d done that once before and been played the fool. He wouldn’t be that careless again.

Courting Claudia was a business move and nothing more. It didn’t matter how blue her eyes were or how kissable those lips of hers looked.

He needed to focus on the task at hand. “Do you have any illustrations you can show me?”

She looked down at her feet as if inspecting the ground for something. “I’ve sketched a few ideas but haven’t started on the wood.”

“May I see them? The sketches?”

“No. They’re not ready yet.”

“Do you always start with paper?”

“Yes, I often need to draw a few ideas before I’m sure of which one is the best. So I use the paper to work until I feel I have the right image. Then I work on the wood for the final drawing.”

Her mouth was fascinating as she talked. Her perfect, pink lips wrapped around each syllable in a caress. Damnation. He sounded like a fool.

“I’ve never seen one of my illustrator’s preliminary works. Let me take a peek. I will not pass judgment.”

She chewed at her lip. Such full lips, it was a shame only she nibbled at them.

“I’d rather not. I should have the finished product soon, and I can send that to you.”

“I shall have to wait, then.” This was going dreadfully. How could he save matters? “I intend to court you.” Charming. He had to force himself not to wince. He certainly wouldn’t knock her off her feet with that kind of clumsiness.

“I beg your pardon?”

Damnation, he’d never courted a proper lady before. He’d never courted any kind of lady before. He and Julia hadn’t even had an official courtship, just a few tumbles, a sudden pregnancy, and a hasty marriage. Ever since then, his relations with women had been confined to the bedroom—simple, no complications, no emotions, just touching. So why was he so bloody nervous now?

Uncharted territory, that was all. Nothing about Miss Prattley should make him feel insecure in his intentions. If Richard was her only suitor, then she didn’t have much to compare him to, so he needn’t worry. And surely he could do better than Richard. Be courteous and romantic. That’s how men courted proper ladies.

“I do apologize for the abruptness of that. I meant to say it much more…that is to say, I only wanted you to know that I came today to notify you of my intentions. I would like to court you, Claudia.”

She gawked at him as if he’d sprouted a second head. She opened her mouth to say something, then promptly shook her head and closed her mouth.