Barbara Pierce by Naughty by Nature Page A

together.
    “Better?”
    She mutely nodded. Still warm from his body, the coat warmed her in ways she dared not contemplate. It smelled of smoke and the heady scent of its owner. “Thank you. I should have chosen something warmer to wear this morning.”
    From what she had seen, Swancott was a lovely estate. The wooded path widened, revealing a small pond. It looked natural, but a gardener had tamed
nature by outlining the embankment with white stones. A wooden bench fashioned from a split log was positioned off to the right. Patience wondered how often Lady Meredith sat at the edge of the water, lost in her melancholy thoughts.
    “Speaking of your attire … I do not mean to offend you by mentioning this; however, Scrimm commented that you arrived with one small bag. Should I have one of the footmen collect the rest of your possessions at the inn?”
    Patience clutched the edges of his coat and strode over to the bench. For the first time in a long while, something akin to shame was crawling around in her insides, and she did not like it. The dresses she had packed were clean and presentable. Sadly, none would be considered by the ton as fashionable. She bit her lip, pondering this newest tangle.
    “There are other dresses at the inn, but they belong to the troupe,” she admitted reluctantly. “It did not seem right to take them, when Deidra will need—”
    Lord Ramscar walked over to her and crouched down beside the bench. “Say not another word on the subject. My sister will need new dresses for London. We will order some for you as well.”
    A flicker of excitement flared to life at the thought of wearing something that was not a castoff, but she brutally extinguished it. There was a name for ladies
who accepted intimate gifts from a gentleman, and it was not a kind one.
    She rubbed her nose. “Oh, I could not. Perhaps, if I spoke to Deidra and the men—”
    The earl took her hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. She saw a touch of amusement intermixed with sincerity in his hazel green eyes. “Let them keep the dresses. When I offered you the position, I had every intention of purchasing new wardrobes for both you and my sister. I hesitated telling you, because I did not want to offend you.”
    “But—”
    “No arguments,” he said with mock sternness. “You represent the Earl of Ramscar, and you will be fashionably dressed. A seamstress is arriving this afternoon to take measurements and begin the arduous task of getting you and Lady Meredith ready for the season. What cannot be accomplished here can be procured in London.”
    Agitated, Patience hopped off the bench. “It seems a lot of fuss and expense for a mere lady’s companion,” she protested halfheartedly. “Perhaps you can deduct the cost of the dresses from my wages.”
    Ramscar braced his hand on his knee and stood. He shook his head ruefully. “A few pretty dresses will not ruin me, Patience.”
    As he placed his hands on her shoulders, she could not help recalling her dream of him. He had
been standing behind her when he grabbed her thusly. In spite of the warm coat, she shivered.
    “You cannot deny it,” he teased.
    Deny what?
    Was her reaction to his proximity so apparent? She was so aware of him, her breasts tightened in response. “I cannot?” she replied breathlessly. It was important that she remember that he was not the lover in her dreams. That man did not exist.
    Ramscar inched closer. “Come now, Patience. Why fight it? Every young lady desires owning new dresses with matching slippers and gloves. Even you.”
    She really wished he had not used the word “desires.” “I suppose a new dress or two would be nice,” she said, looking away with feigned reluctance. “Thank you.”
    Lord Ramscar laughed at her obvious mischief. “That’s the spirit!”
    Impulsively, he picked her up and spun them both around. Even she was laughing when he lowered her back onto her feet. Panting slightly, Patience gazed up into his handsome