1. Most Eagerly Yours by Allison Chase

Author:Allison Chase [Chase, Allison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-03-02T22:50:50+00:00

“Are you certain you’re feeling better?”

While Giles Henderson explained the system of cisterns, piping, and pumps that would redirect the thermal system running beneath the hillside into the Summit Pavilion’s future bathhouses, Aidan walked beside Melinda at the edge of the crowd. “If you’re tiring, I’ll accompany you home.”

With a coquettish gesture, she tossed her head. “Don’t be silly. I feel glorious. Who would not on such a day?”

Aidan glanced out over the western sky where somber clouds were gathering. “As long as those thunder-heads keep their distance.” He looked back at Melinda, taking in the brightness of her eyes and the restored glow to her complexion. “You do look exquisite, and young enough to tempt a man half your age.”

“Perhaps more of those will return to Bath once the Summit Pavilion is built.”

“Perhaps,” Aidan said. Then a sharp male voice drew his attention to the front of Henderson’s audience. “But it appears not everyone shares your exuberance.”

“Would it not be easier to place the spa at the base of the hill?” Geoffrey Taft was complaining again. “Perhaps with simpler engineering the project would not have suffered repeated delays.”

“But in so doing, we would lose this unparalleled view.” Henderson swept an arm out wide.

“I shall admit to having entertained similar qualms,” Devonlea spoke up. “But our Mr. Henderson is correct. If mere facilities sufficed, Bath would not have ceased flourishing in recent times. Nowadays people prefer to spend their leisure in exceptional surroundings.”

“What do you think?” Melinda whispered to Aidan. “Were they wise to pick this location, or will these feats of engineering prove impossible to achieve?”

“Good questions both.” He offered his arm, and with a fond smile she leaned lightly on him as he led her farther from the crowd. “But what most sparks my curiosity is what possessed you to give up this land.”

Melinda went still, her features frozen in chagrin. “How did you know?”

He raised an eyebrow in answer.

She pursed her lips. “Even as a small child, you were far more observant than anyone ever gave you credit for.”

“A person learns a lot simply by being quiet, and one can never be sure what knowledge will prove useful in the future.” He brought them to a stop, removed her hand from the crook of his arm, and held it between his own. “So . . . the land. Why did you sell it? Surely your finances are not—”

“Dear me, no, I am in no financial difficulty. And I did not sell the property. I donated it.”

It was his turn to be dumbfounded. “You gave it away?”

“Traded would be the more precise term, in exchange for a sizable share in the Summit Pavilion. Oh, don’t look like that. Bath is my home, and I believe in this project. Its success will ensure a great future for the city.”

“Melinda, it is a risky venture at best. Why didn’t you seek my counsel? Did you at least have one of your sons-in-law look over the records?”

Anger sharpened her expression. “Need

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