The Night is Done by Sheila Myers

Author:Sheila Myers [Myers, Sheila]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sheila Myers

19

Ella Durant

I knew if I didn’t act fast I might lose my chance to claim my land due to William’s mishandling of the estate. So I followed Poultney’s advice and granted an outing with Mr. Rose who seemed to be the key to unlocking William’s secret dealings. Seducing him, however, was harder than I thought it would be. The man was a Puritan. The first date we had he picked me up in a hired cab which dropped us off at Central Park. It was a brilliant fall afternoon. The leaves on the trees were ablaze and people were parading about the walkways in their finest gowns and suits, crushing the dead leaves under their boots. Mr. Rose didn’t ask to link his arm in mine, even while we passed others doing the same. I used every charm in the book to get him to loosen up.

“Look over there,” I said, tapping his arm and gesturing with my head toward a group of young people rowing in the lake. A few of the men were playfully splashing the ladies in the boats, and they were all shouting joyfully with laughter.

He smiled and we continued walking.

I used flattery. “I have heard such good things about you,” I said.

“Really? From whom?”

“Mr. Hewitt knows your boss well and tells me he’s very proud of your work.”

“That’s a nice compliment.”

“So what do you do exactly?”

He went on for about a half hour describing his business, checking the veracity of investments, integrity of clients, bank accounts, assets and liabilities, and on and on. It was all foreign to me, and, frankly, I didn’t care. But he was so animated by the time we had strolled around the perimeter of the lake it was as if I had awakened a sleeping giant. It was obvious he was rarely the center of attention.

I purposely tripped on a pebble, falling into him so he had no choice but to catch me.

“Oh, dear. Excuse me. I’m so clumsy,” I said.

“It’s no bother at all. Are you all right?”

I held his hand in mine and didn’t let it go when he tried to pull away. I searched his eyes to see if there was any sign of tenderness and found it, finally. His face reddened and he pulled me back onto my feet properly.

“I’m afraid these pebbles are making it difficult for me to walk.”

“Here,” he offered finally, “ please take my arm.”

And that was the beginning. It was three more dates before I started calling him Marcus and found out what he knew. We were eating at the Waldorf. It had been my idea, and I sensed that he was uncomfortable. As soon as we were seated, a sweat formed on his brow. One glance at the attire and jewels adorning the other patrons and he guessed at the cost of the meal. When the menus came and I ordered wine, his eyes bulged slightly while he adjusted his necktie.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Fine, fine.” He picked up his wine glass with a slight shake of his head.

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