To Tempt an Irish Rogue by Kaitlin O'Riley

sister who acted as a mother to her for most of her life, left Paulette feeling more embarrassed than she had ever felt about anything. She admired and looked up to Colette. The thought that she might have done something to disappoint or scandalize her was very sobering.
    “He . . . I . . . Well, we kissed each other.”
    Colette’s mouth opened but no sound came out.
    Paulette began to babble. “I don’t know how it happened really. One minute he was looking for books and I went to help him. We almost bumped into each other and I put my hands out to stop myself from slamming into him and then we exchanged a few words and the next thing I knew he was kissing me and I was kissing him back and then you came into the shop and called my name . . .”
    Her sister stared at her in astonishment. “But you just met him. He’s a complete stranger!”
    “Yes, I know, but I’ve met his daughter already and he’s been here twice now so he doesn’t seem so much like a stranger and now you know him too so he’s not entirely unfamiliar—”
    “Oh, hello, Colette,” Lizzie Parker called as she ventured from where she had been working in the back room, completely unaware of the little drama that had unfolded while she had been taking inventory. “We’re missing a set of books that we ordered from Blackwell’s. I’m going to stop by their office now and while I’m there I’ll see that they send the correct order to the new shop.” She paused and looked between Paulette and Colette. “Am I interrupting something?”
    Paulette answered first, grateful for her assistant’s timely intrusion. She had almost forgotten that the girl was there, so caught up was she in all that had happened with Declan Reeves. “Not at all, Lizzie. Thank you for taking care of that order. I’m sure it’s just an oversight on Blackwell’s part.”
    Lizzie nodded. “Yes, that’s what I thought as well.”
    “Thank you, Lizzie,” Colette added.
    “I shall be back before lunch.” And with that, Lizzie Parker left the shop, leaving Colette and Paulette alone.
    Colette wasted no time. “What are you thinking? The man is a complete and total stranger!”
    “I can’t explain it, but it felt like we knew each other. I know he’s a stranger, but he didn’t feel like a stranger when he was kissing me!” Paulette cried, the pitch of her voice increasing.
    “That is exactly my point!” Colette exclaimed in frustration. “How can you be kissing a man you don’t even know?”
    Paulette did something she didn’t normally do. She burst into tears.
    Colette’s manner changed from one of outrage to one of concern. “I’m not angry with you, Paulette. I’m angry with that man for taking advantage of you. Don’t cry.” She patted Paulette’s shoulder in comfort. “I’m not angry with you.”
    “Yes, you are.” Paulette reached into the pocket of her dress and took out a handkerchief and began wiping her eyes. Goodness! How had the day taken such a dramatic turn, and it wasn’t even noon yet! She had been at the shop early, ready for a busy day, happy with her little basket of shortbread cookies. And then he had come in. He kissed her and she kissed him back. It was heavenly. It was madness. It sounded ridiculous even to her. Somehow everything had changed and now she was crying like a silly fool.
    “I’m not angry. I’m just very concerned about you.” Colette sighed in resignation. “This behavior is so unlike you and something about that man worries me and I can’t place my finger on what it is.”
    “Lucien mentioned him during supper the other night,” Paulette confessed with a sniffle. “Declan Reeves is suspected of murdering his wife in Ireland.”
    “Oh, dear God in heaven!” Colette gasped, placing her hand over her heart. “That’s where I’ve heard his name before! Oh, Paulette, you must stay away from him!”
    The bell over the shop door rang and two customers entered the store. Two young gentlemen, obviously