Dancing with the Devil by Emma Brady

Author:Emma Brady
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gilded age, New York, romance
Publisher: Emma Brady
Published: 2023-04-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Robert felt as if things between them had returned to normal. They saw each other twice in the park and once at another ball. Each time she had been polite and kind, but not as warm as he had hoped she would be by now. Robert knew he was going to need to do something to move things along in the right direction. Luckily, he knew Becca well enough to know what that should be.

He arrived at her house just in time to see Stephen leaving. He stayed out of sight, hiding around a corner until the other man was gone. It made him even more determined to get them past their previous argument.

“Mr. Donovan, we weren’t expecting you.”

Mrs. O’Hare said that as the maid showed him into the parlor. He noticed that she was sitting on one end of the room in a single chair, while Becca was perched on a sofa at the other end with the remnants of a tea service in front of her. She must have been playing hostess to Stephen and her mother was giving a bit of privacy to them.

“I wasn’t intending to stop by today, Mrs. O’Hare,” Robert said, trying his best to be charming. “I was just out shipping and found something that I thought Becca might enjoy. I know that I have neglected her birthday for the last five years, so I thought I might try to make up for that.”

He held up the brown paper wrapped package in his hand. At first the older woman, who had stood when he entered the room, narrowed her eyes at him. He felt like a young boy standing in front of the nanny while she inspected the cleanliness of his hands. She could be a tough judge of character.

“You have not spent much time with us since you returned,” said Mrs. O’Hare, continuing to watch him.

“My apologies. I have been busy with the hotel.”

“Which is doing well, I hear.”

She didn’t as that as a question, but made a statement.

“It has done well so far. I only hope it continues to do so.”

He watched her expression as she tried to decide if he was welcome or note. He had been the troublesome one as a boy, often causing problems. Now he was a successful business man and she had a daughter looking for a husband. He knew she would realize it was better to invite him in.

“Becca,” she called out to where Becca had been waiting for her mother’s decision. “You have a visitor.”

Mrs. O’Hare indicated with her hand that he could go join Becca on the sofa. She remained near the chair, where he knew she could clearly keep an eye on them.

“She can still hear us too,” Becca said as she sat with him.

“Oh?” Robert had been wondering but hadn’t asked about it.

“My previous visitor said something funny and I could hear her laugh.”

Robert wanted to ask if she laughed at Stephen’s joke as well, but that would give too much away.

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