Читать книгу Man Behind the Façade - June Francis - Страница 2

‘Becky, by all that is holy, it is you!’

Terror fought with vague recognition but she could not speak, feared a recurrence of the nerves she had managed to conquer since her father’s death.

‘What is it, Becky? Is it that you do not know me?’

‘Pip…Pip Hurst?’ she managed to croak.

‘Aye! When I saw you leaving I determined to make myself known to you.’

‘I’m surprised you should recognise me after so long a time. I am much changed.’

‘Indeed you are…’ His blue eyes washed slowly over her face and then slid to her slender neck and throat, before pausing a moment as they took in the swell of her bosom in the tight bodice. They skipped lower, scanning her narrow waist and the curve of her hips to finish their exploration at the sensible shoes protruding from beneath her grey skirts. ‘You’re very much a woman now.’

Rebecca drew herself up to her full height and said in a prim voice, ‘It would be strange indeed if I were not, Master Hurst. After all, like you, I have seen twenty-four summers. Your appearance has certainly changed, although your habit of putting me to the blush remains!’

‘Ha!’ He laughed. Then his smile vanished. ‘But you’re not blushing, and I have never forgotten that you were the prettiest maid I had ever seen…’