Let Me Be The One (60 page)
Authors: Jo Goodman
Book Two
Excerpt from
Everything I Ever Wanted
The Compass Club Series
Book Two
by
Jo Goodman
USA Today Bestselling Author
EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED
Reviews & Accolades
"Goodman has real flair for witty dialogue, first-rate narrative prose, and clever plotting."
~Publishers Weekly
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There was little grace in the way as India eased off the ledge and suspended herself above the ground. Her legs flailed awkwardly, her elbows jutted at odd angles, and her head knocked the windowsill with rather more force than she allowed was good for her. Still, after what seemed an eternity but was only the passing of a few pounding heartbeats, her calves found purchase around the dangling sheet, her elbows were pulled in to increase her strength, and the first wave of dizziness passed.
India began lowering herself to the ground. She reached the literal end of her rope in a very short time and dangled a moment longer before making her release. She was in free fall for less than two feet when her body was plucked in midair by two strong arms and brought to rest hard against a broad expanse of chest.
India stared up at Southerton as he eased her slowly to a standing position. He was grinning at her, not at all put out by what she had done, but as one who was genuinely entertained. Her toes settled on the ground, then her soles, and finally her heels. He gave her no choice about stepping back from the circle of his arms. She was struck by the odd thought that he had not faltered once when he caught her. Not a stumble or misstep. And now he was amused. If Southerton was not precisely the devil, then neither was he entirely human.
She was on the point of telling him that, but he spoke first.
He said, "You are resourceful."
A compliment? she wondered. Or merely an observation? He still had made no move to release her. His hands rested lightly on the small of her back, and her toes had settled closely to his. India realized she had not quite caught her breath, but she was no longer certain that the activity of her descent was responsible.
"As are we all when necessity demands," she told him.
South glanced up at the open window. The twisted sheet was unwinding slowly, the tail of it flapping against the house. "You are better than most, I think." He regarded her again, his smile fading as one dark eyebrow lifted. "You have some particular destination in mind, I collect."
"The kitchen, m'lord. Unless you mean to starve me, I would have breakfast." She saw his skeptical regard. "What? Never say you thought it was my intention to leave."
"It occurred to me."
"Then let me apprise you of a particular fact you seem to be in want of. I do not ride and have never done so. I am quite afraid of horses. Your grays severely tested my mettle when I was forced to care for them, but now that your great Irish beast is stabled nearby, nothing could compel me to go within a stone's throw of their stalls. Furthermore, as much as I would enjoy a bracing walk this morning, I find the idea of going to London on foot rather daunting. So you see, it is only that I came for breakfast."
At some point during India's persuasive little speech, South's eyes had dropped to her mouth. Once, as a youth, he had dared a friend to place his tongue on a frozen metal pail to prove that it would be caught fast. He'd been right, of course, and had cheerfully collected his winnings from North and West before he helped Eastlyn removed the pail from his face. Now South was moved to wonder if, upon kissing India, he might find his tongue wedded to her lips in just such a fashion. Her manner was half again as cold as that pail had been.
It required only a few steps to back her against the wall of the cottage.
"My lord?" India's hands had been resting lightly on Southerton's upper arms. Now her fingers curled and clutched the brushed woolen sleeves of his frock coat. "South?"
Everything I Ever Wanted
The Compass Club Series
Book Two
by
Jo Goodman
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To purchase
Everything I Ever Wanted
from your favorite eBook Retailer,
visit Jo Goodman's eBook Discovery Author Page
www.ebookdiscovery.com/JoGoodman
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Meet Jo Goodman
Jo Goodman is a licensed professional counselor working with children and families in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle. Always a fan of the happily ever after, Jo turned to writing romances early in her career as a child care worker when she realized the only life script she could control was the one she wrote herself. She is inspired by the resiliency and courage of the children she meets and feels privileged to be trusted with their stories, the one that they alone have the right to tell.
Once upon a time, Jo believed she was going to be a marine biologist. She feels lucky that seasickness made her change course. She lives with her family in Colliers, West Virginia. Please visit her website at
www.jogoodman.com
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Table of Contents
Excerpt from EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED (The Compass Club Series, Book 2)