A Treasure Concealed by Peterson Tracie

Author:Peterson, Tracie [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042040, FIC014000, Love Stories
ISBN: 9781441265395
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2016-01-28T08:00:00+00:00

“We’ve looked all over for you. You didn’t come back to the hotel for supper last night, and we feared the worst.” Bishop Arnold looked at Caeden and then exchanged a glance with his daughter. “Did you . . . sleep elsewhere?”

“No. I ate elsewhere and returned to get an early night’s sleep. Our business is settled, so I can’t imagine what you needed from me.”

Arnold smiled. “Well, the fact is there’s a dance tomorrow and Catherine had her heart on attending. It’s a fancy affair with many important people. I thought it would provide me the perfect opportunity to solicit support for the Republicans.”

“You don’t need me for that. I have no desire to dance, even if I had the clothes for a formal gathering. Which I don’t.”

“You are very nearly my size. I’m certain you could borrow some things from me and be just fine. I’m hoping that you’ll do this as a favor to me.” He held up his hands. “I know you don’t owe me a favor, Caeden, but I am appealing to your better nature.”

Caeden shook his head. “I don’t have one.”

Catherine reached out to touch Caeden’s arm. “I would so enjoy dancing with you. I have so much to tell you.”

She gave him a knowing look, reminding Caeden that she had been about to tell him something at their breakfast the previous day. He did battle with his conscience, thinking all the time of Emily. She so often endured unpleasantness for the sake of others. Couldn’t he do the same—especially if it allowed him to finally hear what Catherine felt she needed to say?

“It would help me a great deal,” Bishop Arnold interjected. “If you were watching over Catherine, then I would feel free to mingle among the men and solicit their support. Perhaps with their support, the loss of yours won’t be so detrimental.”

Caeden knew Arnold was trying to make him feel guilty, but it wouldn’t work. If he agreed to this, it would be solely for the purpose of hearing what Catherine had to tell him.

“I will agree to accompany Catherine on one condition.” Caeden narrowed his eyes and fixed Arnold with a hard stare. “You will from this time forward leave me alone. You will not seek me out for any reason, and you will accept that I’ve no intention or obligation to marry your daughter.”

Arnold nodded. “Of course. Of course. That is perfectly acceptable.” He flashed Catherine a look that gave Caeden pause. Were they plotting something together?

“The affair begins at six. I will have a carriage, so meet us here in the lobby at a quarter till. Oh, and I will send the bellboy with the clothes you’ll need.”

“Never mind that.” Caeden wasn’t about to wear Arnold’s clothes. “I’ll purchase what I need.” He turned and headed out the doors he’d just come in. Hopefully this ordeal would be the end of his encounters with the Arnolds. But he doubted it.

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