Dark Moon by Corey McFadden

Author:Corey McFadden [McFadden, Corey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction, Historical, England, Great Britain, Governesses, Widowers, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 9780843938869
Publisher: Leisure Books
Published: 1995-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Joanna lay still, in a haze of pain and confusion. She ached all over. Very carefully she stretched herself. The worst pain was in her side, but then Giles had said a broken rib would hurt a great deal.

Giles. She felt herself blushing all over as thoughts she did not know enough to think yesterday came tumbling through her head. What on earth had she done? She had let him kiss her—no, she had kissed him in a way no decent spinster should ever allow herself. And he had slept in her bed—at her insistence. What had she become? And while she was unnerved and anxious, why was she so happy as well?

He had stayed with her all night, cradling her, his warmth and nearness banishing her pain and the loneliness that had been with her so long. Just after dawn, he had crept from her bed, kissing her gently and telling her to stay in bed. She had fallen back asleep, waking much later to the timid sound of a tap on her door.

“Come in,” she called, slipping down into the bedcovers, hoping whoever it was could not see her face. But then, it would take weeks for her face to heal, so she had better come up with some kind of story.

In came Annie, tiptoeing, carrying a tray. Something on it steamed, and Joanna hoped it was tea.

“Good afternoon, miss. We’re all so sorry about the nasty fall you took last night. Them steps can be beastly when they get wet with a spill like that. I ’ope you’re feelin’ better.”

Bless the man! A fall! Joanna sat up very gingerly and gave the girl a smile. “Thank you, Annie. I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few days. It was quite a tumble I took.” She took the tray carefully onto her lap. She didn’t dare embroider on the story until she had a chance to check with Giles and see what sort of tale he had told. She wasn’t even sure which set of steps she had fallen on!

“Mrs. Davies says you’re to rest and not worry about the children all day, but Miss Emma’s been askin’ for you, and I was wondrin’ if they might come and say ’ello after their dinner. They seem anxious-like.” It was a long speech for Annie, whose hands twisted in her apron, still half afraid she would give offense to the elegant Miss Carpenter who was kind to her for no reason she could fathom.

“Oh, yes, please, Annie. Bring them to me as soon as they finish eating. And tell Emma to bring a book and we’ll read it together.” Joanna’s heart twisted at the thought of the children alone today. Of course they were anxious. People they loved disappeared for no apparent reason. They had a great deal to be anxious about.

Annie gave Joanna a bob and a quick smile, then left the room. Joanna fell to her lovely hot tea, pleased to see there was toast and porridge as well.

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