The Emerald Affair by Trotter Janet MacLeod

Author:Trotter, Janet MacLeod
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781542041188
Published: 2019-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

They were greeted with champagne at Flashman’s before sitting down to a five-course dinner. Geraldine had rustled up a replacement for Harold; an American called Dempster who worked for an oil company. Geraldine seated him beside Esmie. He was amusing and Esmie felt caught up in the festive mood. After the meal, the Hopkirks and their guests went out into the garden to smoke and drink while tables were cleared and the room made ready for dancing.

When the band struck up and the dancing began, they were joined by a party of officers from the cavalry mess. Both Esmie and Lydia found their dance cards being quickly filled. Despite her disappointment that Tom hadn’t been quick enough to mark her card, Esmie revelled in the dancing. The last time she had danced so energetically had been at Lydia and Tom’s wedding, when she and Tibby had taken to the floor.

She noticed how often Dickie claimed Lydia as his partner. The young lieutenant did not try and hide his admiration for her and Lydia was enjoying being the centre of attention among the officers’ party. If Tom minded, he didn’t show it. She’d glimpsed him earlier talking to the American oilman but had hardly seen him since the dancing had started. Every time she’d cast about for him, there’d been no sign of Tom in the melee of dancers.

Now the evening was nearly over. Glancing down at her card, she saw that Dempster was her partner for the last waltz.

‘I hope you don’t mind but Mr Dempster asked me to take his place.’ Esmie looked up, startled to see Tom holding out a hand to her. ‘He’s had to leave before the end.’

Her pulse quickened. ‘No, I don’t mind at all.’

Tom flashed her a smile as she put her hand into his. She could feel herself trembling and hoped he didn’t notice. The floor was crowded with dancers, so Tom pulled her close. She was acutely aware of his warm hand on her back as he spun her around. Her throat was so tight with nerves, she couldn’t speak. Every time she looked up at his face, he was regarding her with his vivid blue eyes. There was something feverish in his look. She wondered how much he’d been drinking. Her own head swam as they twirled around, heady from the champagne and the proximity to Tom.

‘You look beautiful tonight, Esmie,’ he murmured.

‘Thank you,’ she said, her breath catching as he gripped her more firmly.

‘Did you enjoy our drive this morning?’ he asked.

‘Very much.’

‘So did I. I’m wondering when we can do it again. Just the two of us.’

Esmie’s heart pounded in her chest. This was dangerous talk. In that instant she felt reckless, her senses charged with desire for this man. She didn’t trust herself. She thought that she might agree to anything he suggested. For the first time, she felt sure that Tom had feelings for her too. But he belonged to Lydia and she to Harold. Esmie would do nothing to betray or hurt either of them.

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