Harlequin Historical February 2016, Box Set 2 of 2 by Sophia James

Author:Sophia James
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459296121
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

A myriad things connected to the business kept Susanna busy, both after Mr Connor left and for the many days after. There were curtains to be selected for the front windows, accounting books to purchase, calling cards to order and the design of wine labels to approve. Justin was occupied with his own tasks, taking on an apprentice, two shop assistants and visiting and securing customers. It proved an exciting and challenging week, and with each passing day Susanna felt more at ease in both her new role as a wife and her place in the Connor household. Here, no one made her feel like an unwanted interloper, even when she changed the menu or suggested a different arrangement of the sitting-room furniture. The security of it provided a calm she hadn’t known since before her grandmother had died.

Despite her happiness, in the back of her mind she couldn’t help but feel something was waiting to end it all. In the past, whenever she’d felt safe and secure, death or a rumour had reared its ugly head to steal her peace. The old worry it would happen again continued to pester her during quiet moments when she studied inventory or reviewed the bills. She tried to shake the feeling, but she couldn’t. Whatever foreboding she imagined waiting for her, she suspected it would come from Grosvenor Square. Since the wedding, they’d heard nothing from the Rocklands, but Susanna wasn’t convinced Lady Rockland was finally done with her. The woman had little else to do except to see to Edwina and be nasty to her inferiors. Every time a letter arrived at the house for Justin, Susanna feared it might be a missive from her stepmother with some insidious reference to Susanna’s secret, one which would plant the fatal seed of doubt in his mind and ruin their happiness.

Only at night when she was alone with Justin in the low light of his room, his body covering hers, was everything forgotten in the bliss of his kisses and the playful caress of his fingers.

* * *

One evening, a week after their visit to the shop, Susanna entered Justin’s room where he sat before the fire reading a letter. The sight of it and the stern contemplation dulling his usual humour made her halt. Whatever was being conveyed held his full attention and not for a good reason.

The old crow has finally written. Her hand tightened on the small board she carried. She wanted to drop it and flee, but she held fast. Whatever the letter said, she would face it.

He didn’t glance up as she cautiously approached, trying to catch sight of the signature on the letter through the thin paper, but his hand blocked it. The seriousness in his eyes as he read increased the dread sliding through her as she came to stand in front of him. She braced herself and held out the board with the three samples of a bottle label which had been delivered by the printer.

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