When You Wish by Alexandra Ivy

Author:Alexandra Ivy [Ivy, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2016-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

Nine

For a dreadful moment Emma feared that her knees might give way and she would crumple to the floor.

Heavens above, why had her father followed her to Kent?

Hadn’t she made it grimly clear when he had returned to London that she had no desire to see him?

She had ignored his every message. She had avoided visiting Sarah when she feared he might be in her home. She had even halted her regular trips to Hatcher’s with the knowledge he might attempt to seek her out there.

Why the blazes could he not leave her in peace?

Unaware of the undercurrents in the air, the vicar stepped forward and cleared his throat in a self-important fashion.

“My lord, how fortunate you are here. I have brought my guest, Mr. Winchell, to introduce him to your lovely aunt.”

Unimpressed, Lord Hartshore gave a faint shrug. “I fear there has been a trifling incident below stairs that has demanded Lady Hartshore’s attention.”

The vicar’s face paled to a pasty hue at the thought of Mrs. Borelli collecting her knives from the kitchen, but determined to impress his guest, he managed a weak smile.

“Ah ... indeed. Well, no matter. I would be pleased to make you known to Mr. Winchell. Mr. Winchell, this is the esteemed Lord Hartshore.”

Emma clenched her hands as her father stepped forward. She did not fear he was about to expose her. He would not have arrived in Kent under the guise of the mysterious Mr. Winchell if he wanted others to know his true identity. There was, however, always the possibility that Lord Hartshore might recognize him as the notorious Solomon Cresswell. From there it was only a short leap to realize she was related to the jewel thief.

The mere thought was enough to make her heart freeze in horror.

Thankfully there was nothing more than mild curiosity as Lord Hartshore gave a faint bow.

“Mr. Winchell.”

“My lord.”

“And this is Lady Hartshore’s companion, Miss . . . er ...” The vicar gave his cravat an uncomfortable tug as he struggled to recall Emma’s name.

Emma paid him no heed as her father moved to take her lifeless hand in his own.

“Cresswell,” he completed for the vicar.

Emma’s shaky knees abruptly stiffened at the manner Solomon was regarding her with such tender concern.

She was not fooled for a moment.

He obviously wanted something from her.

The question was . . . what?

At her side she felt Lord Hartshore shift in surprise. “You are acquainted?”

The Devilish Dandy smiled with elegant ease. “I have the pleasure of being an old acquaintance of Emma’s father.”

Emma thinned her lips in displeasure. How easily the lies tripped from his tongue. She firmly withdrew her hand from his grasp.

“What are you doing here?”

Undeterred by her pointed lack of warmth, Solomon stroked the smooth ebony cane.

“The bishop requested that I visit the neighborhood, and, as you know, I have always preferred being in the country,” he promptly explained, blithely ignoring the fact that he had never encountered a bishop in his scandalous life and that he had always adamantly professed a rousing distaste for the country.

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