Tea For Two by Cheri Chesley

Author:Cheri Chesley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, romance historical, fiction fantasy, fiction literature, romance books free

CHAPTER 9

Brendan knew he had to get away from Shannah—he just didn’t know how to manage it. He was too keenly aware of how right it felt to hold her close, of how good she fit in his arms. It surprised him to realize that she wanted him to kiss her, but her shy looks made that perfectly plain.

Regardless of what he thought—or even might feel—toward Shannah, their first priority needed to be that child, and sorting out the truth of his parentage once and for all.

For that he’d have to be strong. He would not be able to distance himself from her yet, something he sorely needed. Distance, and time, to sort out his jumbled feelings.

Brendan left Cinnamon in the capable care of a groomsman and carried Shannah to his study, despite her protests that she could walk. He didn’t closely examine his motivations for that as he placed her in one of the high backed chairs, preferring to believe his actions were magnanimous rather than selfish.

Millie bustled in before he could ring for her. “Oh, my lord! We’ve been watching for you. I see you brought her back unharmed.” She knelt beside the chair. “Shannah, dear, are you all right?”

Shannah nodded. “I am now. Lord Brendan and his men rescued me.”

“She’d been kidnapped by pirates,” Brendan said.

“Oh, my!” Millie turned adoring eyes on her employer. “Bless you, my lord, for your quick thinking—as if you knew she was in danger.” She turned back to Shannah. “I’m going to fetch you some hot tea and biscuits, love. That will make you feel better.” She hurried away, shaking her head and muttering about Shannah’s ordeal.

“She cares for you a great deal,” Brendan told her.

Shannah smiled after Millie. “She’s a wonderful woman. I’m grateful to have her friendship.”

Brendan turned another chair and sat across from her. “I know you’ve had a hard time of it, Shannah, but I feel a sense of urgency about our talk. Do you feel up to a discussion about your family?”

Shannah lowered her gaze to her hands. “I told you all that you needed to know last night, my lord. There is nothing more to say.”

“I disagree.” He put a hand under her chin and gently urged her to look at him. “I’d say there’s quite a bit more to be said on the subject.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

He should have expected the tears, but for some reason they caught him by surprise. He released her chin and leaned back in his chair. Shannah blinked furiously, and Brendan watched a lone tear escape and roll silently down her smooth cheek. His hand itched to brush it away, but he withstood the urge.

“I need to know, Shannah,” he said at last. “And my brother deserves the truth.”

Shannah bit her lip and shook her head, but wouldn’t look at him.

Brendan sighed, unsure how to proceed. Surely she knew that her lies wouldn’t hold against the obvious truth. Why did she

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