The Shopgirl's Forbidden Love by Jenni Fletcher

Author:Jenni Fletcher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-21T14:38:34+00:00

* * *

Nancy arched her back and rolled her neck from side to side, unable to remember the last time she’d slept so well. She’d fallen asleep before Jem had even opened his book of accounts, as soon as her head had touched the pillow in fact, a pillow infused with the scent of him, she’d realised as she’d rubbed her cheek against it. As she opened her eyes now, however, there was no sign of him in the room, nor any trace that he’d been there except for a folded blanket on the chair by the bed. She was aware of a stab of disappointment. Typical that she’d finally spent the night with him and missed it.

On a more positive note, she felt almost back to normal again. Optimistically, she lifted her ankle in the air and moved it in a slow, painful circle. All right, maybe not completely back to normal, but definitely better.

‘Time for breakfast.’ Agnes bustled into the room just as she lowered her leg back down to the bed. ‘You’re not exerting yourself, I hope?’

‘Just testing my ankle. And I don’t see what harm a little exertion will do anyway.’

‘Doctor’s orders, my dear.’ Agnes placed a tray across her lap and went to open the curtains. ‘It’s a beautiful morning.’

‘What time is it?’ Nancy blinked in surprise as sunlight streamed into the room. Normally she was up and baking in the dark.

‘Eight o’clock.’

‘Eight?’ She sat bolt upright.

‘You obviously needed some sleep.’ Agnes gestured at her tray. ‘Now here’s some broth like the doctor suggested, but I thought that a little hot toast wouldn’t go amiss either.’ She raised a finger to her lips and winked. ‘Don’t tell Mr Redbourne.’

‘I won’t.’ Nancy smiled conspiratorially. ‘Speaking of Mr Redbourne, where is he?’

‘Preparing to open the shop, but he’ll be up to see you soon, I expect. Although...’ Agnes’s expression wavered.

‘Although what?’ Nancy paused in the act of blowing steam away from her spoonful of broth as Agnes threw a surreptitious look towards the door. She had the expression of a woman who had something important to say, but didn’t know the right words. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘Not exactly, but...well, yes.’ The older woman sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘It might not be my place to say so...’

‘But?’

‘But I’m afraid that you being here, which isn’t your fault, of course, might lead to talk.’

‘Talk?’

‘I mean, we know there’s nothing untoward going on, but some people have wicked minds.’

‘Oh.’ Nancy put her spoon down, abruptly losing her appetite. ‘I see.’

‘And with Mr Redbourne being engaged...’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘His fiancée might not approve.’

Nancy closed her eyes, mortified that she hadn’t thought of that herself. Maybe because she hadn’t wanted to. Which meant that she’d been thinking of herself and not Jem’s feelings again. Of course his fiancée wouldn’t approve of her staying in his bedchamber. What kind of fiancée would?

‘I’ll go home right away.’ She started to put the tray aside.

‘There’s no need for that. You need to see the doctor again first.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.