“Very good.” Having approached, he leaned down to study the covers facing out revealing the title of the series represented within. He’d brought with him the scent of bay rum. Had he not lowered himself, she’d have not noted that the curling strands of his hair at his nape appeared damp on the ends, leaving her to believe he’d bathed shortly before beginning this sojourn. But he’d not bothered to shave as dark bristles shadowed his jaw. It was a magnificent jaw, strong and squarely cut. She thought it a shame to hide it away beneath a light coating of whiskers yet couldn’t deny the masculinity of them. His broad shoulders also gave her pause, and she wondered if he’d come by them naturally or if his labors, whatever they were, had formed them. Those prone to leisure didn’t reside in the area and seldom shopped here, so he no doubt was engaged in some occupation. He seemed an odd mixture of rough and smooth, like the brandy she enjoyed on occasion.

“Ah, Dick Turpin.” A warm fondness marked his tone. “When I was a lad, I spent many an afternoon reading about this highwayman’s exploits.” He pulled it from the shelf. “I’ll take this one.”

“It’s six shillings. If that’s a bit of a stretch for you at the moment, I can give you credit until the end of the month if you live or work in the area.”

It wasn’t exactly a smile he gave her, but more a twitch of his lips—and fine lips they were, full and nicely shaped with a natural tilting up at both corners as though he were constantly amused by the world at large. “I’ll settle things between us now.”

“Excellent.”

She wandered back over to the counter. He removed a small purse from inside his jacket, withdrew the necessary coins, and passed them over to her. She couldn’t help but notice his large gloved hands and the elegant ease with which they tucked the supple leather back into place. Suddenly drawing in breath seemed a challenge as images of those hands tucking other things—hair behind an ear, a button back through its mooring, a stocking over a knee—raced unbidden through her mind. She didn’t know what was prompting her to have such lascivious thoughts where he was concerned, although of late she had begun noticing the pleasing attributes of men. Her family would no doubt be horrified to learn that she’d recently started reading books banned by obscenity laws—when she could find one. She didn’t want to be a complete innocent when she made her foray into Society.