The Awakening of Miss Henley by Julia Justiss

Author:Julia Justiss
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-07-11T13:31:28+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

In the afternoon two days later, Emma arrived at Judd Street, her hand trembling as she inserted the key in the lock. After gaining access, she waved the footman trotting up the stairs behind her towards the front parlour.

‘Put the basket in there, please. You have the list of the shops you must visit and know which supplies you need to pick up at each one?’ When he nodded, she said, ‘I’ll take the linens upstairs. You may start running your errands. I shall expect you back in, say, three hours’ time?’

‘Yes, miss.’ Looking down at the list dubiously, he said, ‘I’ll try to get everything and be back in three hours.’

‘Very good. The Henderson ball is tonight and I know Mama will not wish me to be late returning.’

He bowed himself out. As Emma stood by the window, watching him set off towards the nearest hackney stand, excitement, trepidation and something near panic flooded her, filling her stomach with nervous eddies and making her feel almost faint.

Too late to panic now, she told herself. Walking into the front parlour, where James had left the basket, she pulled the linens from the top and looked approvingly at the provisions underneath.

She had no idea what one normally brought to a tryst, but she’d imagined that a bit of sustenance wouldn’t go amiss. Telling Cook that she was likely to be at Judd Street for a few hours, she’d requested her to make up a packet with some cakes, a small jug of wine and a plate and glass. Though Cook, like the other servants at Henley House who’d learned that the unmarried daughter of the house had leased a property and intended to live on her own, was no more approving than Haines, the woman had done what she asked without protest.

If she disapproved of the house, Emma thought with a rueful laugh, she would probably have apoplexy if she ever learned what the wine and cakes were actually meant for.

First she’d deceived Mama and Marie, now Cook—to say nothing of the hapless footman. She, who had always prided herself on her honesty, she thought with a sigh.

She was beginning to realise just to what extremes a person would go for the sake of passion—and felt a sympathy for Lady Belinda she would never have believed possible.

Upstairs, she quickly put sheets on the bed and towels on the dresser, the silence echoing in the otherwise empty house sending the eddies in her stomach swirling ever faster.

Maybe Lord Theo wouldn’t come.

He’d always said she was ‘unusual’. Experienced as he was, she doubted he’d ever been propositioned by an unmarried lady of quality. She knew, after her offer forced him to look at seduction as an actual possibility, rather than a flirtatious temptation, that he remained somewhat troubled over taking her when she was still a virgin.

Would an attack of conscience cause him to rethink his agreement?

There had only ever been one man she wanted and wanted enough to go to such outrageous lengths.

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