A Gambit in the Tons: The Silver Locket, Book 7 by Kennedy Sutton

Author:Kennedy Sutton [Sutton, Kennedy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kennedy Sutton
Published: 2023-11-29T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Upon seeing my approach, Zachary’s shoulders slump, but not from relief to see me. His eyes are cast down.

Thinking it will be a safe topic of conversation, I ask, “Have you and Emma come up with a name for that little darling of yours?”

All the air whooshes from Zachary’s lungs at once, proving that it was not so safe a question as I thought. “No. We cannot agree on a name. She doesn’t want our girl to bear the name of anyone who is dead and we cannot use any of Emma’s family names for how they have put her out. I am about to just let her have her way as I have taken so many other choices from her.”

“You do not need to strike your back over this. She chose to lay with you.”

“Yes, but I never should have propositioned her, an unmarried woman.”

“Foster has already stoked my ire this week by speaking of ruining women who are still perfectly good. Do not start that.”

Zachary’s lips lift at the corners into a small smile. “Sorry. I would never think Emma or anyone ruined. I just fear I have brought misery down upon her. She never sleeps for that girl and there are none here who can help her. Her family has disowned her, and what would have happened if we returned any later than we did? Would she be in the gutters? And what of the baby? All the scenarios keep me up at night, and now I am dragging her across the world.”

It takes two to perform the dance Zachary and Emma have. My first thought is to confront Emma with a long list of reasons why she should love Zachary as he deserves to be loved, but that still ignores there being two people here. Emma and Zachary. They both have their own reasonings and emotions around all of this. “You go across the world so you might better take care of her. You are doing all you can.”

“It’s not enough. Will it ever feel like enough?”

What I can provide for Jon has never felt like enough. I think Mickey might have felt the same about Lil. I often held a grudge against my mother, believing she did not care for her children, but she scraped and saved to get my brother educated and out of the house so he might find better for himself when she could not provide better. She only did not for me because I was a girl and was always doomed to be stuck just as she was. “I think maybe all parents feel that way.”

“Will you speak to Emma on my behalf, see what I can do to help her? I do not know what to say. We’ve become rather close all at once and yet she’s a stranger. I’m petrified of insulting her.”

“I would rather not get wrapped up in your marriage bed, Zachary.”

My friend looks so lost with his face buried in his hands. For the first time since Alouett, I take the time to notice how grim he might view his circumstances.

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