A Promise Beneath the Kissing Bough by Tabetha Waite

Author:Tabetha Waite
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tabetha Waite
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

After a relatively mild day, Pleasant awoke to a light snowfall the next morning. By the time she made it to work, her bonnet and cloak were covered in white. But as she walked into the warm shop, she was instantly enveloped in a sensation that wasn’t far from the feeling when she greeted her family.

After yesterday, Cornell Reed was quickly becoming much more to her than just an employer. The kisses he’d given her had turned her knees to jelly, and she found that her dreams were filled with thoughts of him. She had taken this position as an apprentice to try and give her siblings and her stepmother a deserving holiday, and yet, she was the one who was finding something altogether different in the process.

However, when she walked in the shop, Mr. Reed was pacing the floor, almost impatiently. He glanced up when she entered. “Good. I’m glad you’re here. I have something to ask you,” he announced brusquely.

She slowly removed her outerwear and waited for him to continue.

He hesitated, shoved a hand through his hair, and then blurted, “I have accepted an invitation from Lord Haverton for a private dinner this Saturday.”

Pleasant smiled. “Oh, but that’s wonderful! I’m sure you’ll have a fabulous time, but I don’t see what that has to do with—”

His eyes nearly bored into her. “I’d like you to come with me.”

Pleasant’s mouth fell open, but she quickly snapped it shut. She glanced down at her serviceable, woolen dress and her cheeks instantly warmed. “I’m not sure that I have anything appropriate to wear,” she demurred.

He waved a hand. “I’ll take care of it. Just say you’ll come.”

“I—” She swallowed, ready to refuse again when she saw the abrupt swirl of emotion in his green eyes. It was a combination of determination and… something else, something almost… yearning. Unfortunately, when her siblings gave her the same look she was helpless to deny them anything. She clasped her hands together. “Of course, Mr. Reed. I’d be honored.”

Relief flooded his face and he walked toward her. “I’m indebted to you, Miss Hill.” He lifted his hand and she steadied herself for another kiss, but suddenly, the little bell above the shop tinkled. His arm fell as a customer walked in.

Pleasant used the interruption to duck into the back of the shop.

For the rest of the morning, she threw herself into her work, desperate to push Mr. Reed out of her thoughts.

It wasn’t until lunchtime that he approached her again. “Do you know where Madame Caron’s shop is?”

Pleasant set down her tools and wiped her hands on her apron. “Yes. Mother does quite a bit of seamstress work for her.”

He handed her a slip of paper. “Good. These are my instructions for your gown. Tell her if she has any questions to contact me directly.”

She visibly swallowed. “About that, Mr. Reed.” She paused. “It seems I spoke rather hastily earlier. I’m sure Mama can alter one of my current dresses so that it’s acceptable—”

His mouth kicked up in a grin.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.