Midnight Sun by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Author:Lisa Tawn Bergren [Bergren Lisa Tawn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-55342-3
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2010-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Words could not express how glad Karl was to have Elsa aboard Fair Alaska. And he was even more glad when he smugly gestured toward the table outside the ballroom and could finally shut the door on the watchful Eric. It was more than loyalty that made that man such a watchdog for Elsa, Karl was sure of it. But tonight, tonight Karl would see if there was even a chance for him.

She paused when she tore her admiring gaze from the ballroom panels and saw the beautiful table. It was set with the finest sterling and china and crystal that Karl had, with a crystal candelabra already alight. She laughed in amazement and turned to him in surprise. “I had better leave.”

“Leave?”

“Yes. You must be expecting the governor.”

“Better,” he said, taking her hand. “An old friend that I’ve missed for far too long.”

She glanced away, her cheeks reddening with his praise, looking toward the gilt-edged mirrors on the walls and Antonio’s incredible carvings. “Where did you have these done?” she asked. “Last I knew, Ramstad Yard wasn’t doing such work.”

“San Francisco.”

“Ahh,” she said knowingly. “Convenient.”

“Convenient?”

“Yes,” she said, still running her hands over the carvings, avoiding his gaze. “All that work had to be done, right there near young Miss Kenney.”

Was that a hint of jealousy in her voice? Was she fishing for information? Surely not. “Yes, it was good to be near all the Kenneys. They’re fine friends.” He never wanted to say anything disrespectful about his friends, regardless of what he wanted Elsa to understand, that there could never be anything between him and Mara. He hoped Elsa read between the lines.

“And what would young Miss Kenney think of this?” she said, waving toward the table for two. She sounded a bit indignant. And for the first time Karl wondered if he had gone too far, too fast.

“I would tell her the truth,” he said. “I’d tell her that we are old friends who had dinner for the first time in two years and that I used every resource on the Fair Alaska to make it a memorable reunion.”

Her expression eased a bit, and she almost looked a little sorry at his explanation. Women! Who could figure what they wanted? Unable to think of what else he should do, he went to the phonograph, wound it up, and set the needle upon the metal disk. Music wafted into the air, and Elsa’s expression softened. “Do you have a phonograph?” he asked.

“Hardly. This is the first one I’ve seen.” “You’ll want one after you hear a few disks.”

“I want one now! And the children would love it.” “Take mine back with you.” “I couldn’t.”

“Yes, I insist. Borrow it until we reach Juneau.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely.”

They paused, both watching the revolving machine and listening to the notes leaving the fluted horn that broadcast them. “Would you care to dance?” he asked, instantly chastising himself for his forwardness. Of course she didn’t. She was there for dinner, not romance!

“Certainly,” she said.

A second later, he faced her and offered his hand and arm.

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