The Scarred Heart by Denise Patrick

Author:Denise Patrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2012-04-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

By the time Thomas returned from Carlisle, Emma was heartily sick of her own company. She’d written a note to her brother to let him know she’d arrived safely, two letters to Jamie, another one to Sarah, and one to her housekeeper at McKeown Manor. In addition, she’d spent time in the kitchen with the cook and housekeeper, both of whom knew her parents. She’d also spent hours in the gallery staring at the portraits of her parents and lost siblings.

Short walks out of doors helped, but with nowhere to go and little to do, it was an indicator of her situation that she seriously contemplated going back to Appleby. The same morning of her brother’s return, she found herself wondering if she could face Edenvale again.

Preparing to partake of another lonely tea time, the fourth such since her arrival, she was in the library searching for another book to read when she heard approaching footsteps. The door opened and she turned, expecting to see the housekeeper with her tea tray.

“I see Lion still doesn’t have the sense he was born with,” her brother drawled.

“It’s good to see you too, Thomas,” she replied with a grin as he crossed the room in long strides to gather her into a warm hug. “I’m very glad you’re here,” she told him as he released her from the hug.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to greet you,” he said, “but I was certain you would be comfortable until I returned.”

“I have been, thank you.”

This time the knock on the door heralded the arrival of the housekeeper with the tea tray. After the woman left, Emma crossed to the chair before the table and prepared to pour.

“News travels fast,” she commented, noting the two cups and many more small cakes and sandwiches than she could possibly eat.

He chuckled as he followed and lowered himself onto the sofa opposite.

For a short while there was only the click of china and rustle of movement as she poured them both cups of tea and each helped themselves to the array of delicacies. Once settled, however, Thomas glanced across at her and said, “I hope you know I didn’t tell him where you were, even though I tried to persuade you to do so.”

“I know,” she replied. “Neither of us had any way of knowing McKeown Manor abutted the country seat of his closest friend.”

He nodded, the dark red of his hair glinting in the firelight. “So, now what do you plan to do?”

She put down her cup and saucer. “I don’t know.” She bit into an almond biscuit, chewed and swallowed before she spoke again. “He thinks the very worst of me. I don’t know if I can live with someone who believes such horrible lies about me. He might be glad to be rid of me.”

As she spoke, the memory of his kiss returned, reminding her that neither of them was indifferent to the other. But physical attraction, she’d learned years before, was not the best basis for a relationship.

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