Gin Empire: Book Twelve: An 18th Century Historical Romance Serial by Catherine Hudson

Author:Catherine Hudson [Hudson, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-22T22:00:00+00:00

Grant took the hint. It was a hint to follow Talitha, and there was never any doubt he wouldn’t. The dinner host would have preferred to remain blasé and to ignore her hint, but Grant couldn’t. Riled, he needed to speak to her.

Stepping through the garden room, Talitha headed to the French doors. Glancing out of the expanse of glass, outside Talitha noted several fire pits; the sight was delightful. Her attention drawn to the lick of flames, she blessed her luck. No one was outside, but why? Observing the fire pits dotted outside on the terrace, it seemed the only place to be, so clasping the door handle, Talitha opened the door.

“Please, Grant, follow me.” The words to herself but she hoped by stating them aloud, her wish would be granted.

Immediately, the chill of the evening hit her, and stepping onto the terrace, Talitha closed the door. Upping her pace, her goal was the first fire pit, and moments from it, the warmth hit her. The heat welcomed, but Talitha moved on. The fire pit nearest to the door to the garden room was too close to the house, and what she and Grant needed was privacy. Striding past a second and third fire pit, Talitha settled on the fourth one; it was a significant distance from the house. Stopping, turning to the house, Talitha waited. She didn’t have to wait long; Grant was close behind.

“Talitha, we need to speak.”

“We do,” and crossing her arms, tilting her head, she watched him.

Stopping directly in front of her, Grant declared, “I noted you were enjoying Mr Elton-Wallis’s company at the dining table.”

“Should I have not?”

“Damn it, but he shouldn’t have even been sitting next to you!”

“I know,” replied Talitha, “he told me.”

“He did, did he?” Raking his fingers through his hair, Grant yelled. “The cheek!”

“Why shouldn’t he sit beside me?”

“You know damn well why!”

“Why?” Talitha demanded. She guessed why Grant was angry, but she wanted to hear him say so. He was the angry one. She? Not so much; Talitha’s irritation came from knowing that Grant had double-standards.

“He is attracted to you!”

“And that upsets you?”

“Of course, it does,” declared Grant. “Why the hell would I want you to enjoy his company, and yes, Talitha, I observed you enjoying Mr Elton-Wallis’s company.”

“Similarly, Grant, I observed you enjoying Miss Morgan’s company, and please don’t dare to tell me that she isn’t drawn to you! Doe-eyed, Miss Morgan hung onto your every word.”

“Hardly can you compare Miss Morgan to Mr Elton-Wallis?”

Scrunching her eyes, Talitha shook her head. “How did you come to that conclusion? It is comparative. You were enjoying her company.”

“I wasn’t,” and in fairness, Grant hadn’t. Throughout dinner, all he could think about was Talitha and Ronald. Specifically, he thought of the young man flirting with the woman he was having a dalliance with.

“Please!”

“Miss Morgan is a friend, and that is all.”

Softly, Talitha giggled. “It is simple for a gentleman to declare that. I am not a betting lady, but I suspect that Miss Morgan wouldn’t be averse to being more than a friend.

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