The Orphan by Stella Cameron

The Orphan by Stella Cameron

Author:Stella Cameron
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: New York : Mira Books
Published: 2002-09-14T23:00:00+00:00


"You mean someone's tried to put you off Jenny? Because she had humble beginnings? I've always thought the class thing was overdone myself."

Latimer shaded his eyes and said, ' 'You just brought it up yourself. You talked about her lack of breeding."

"I was testing you."

"I'll let that pass. I don't know what to do and it's not what you think. It's more complicated." He saw a muscle contract beside Adam's mouth and decided to tell him all of it.

When Latimer had finished, Adam looked at him steadily. "What proof do you have that she plans to harm you?"

"None."

"You beheve she loves you, too?"

"I know she does."

Adam leaned against the whitewashed wall behind him. "Then it's easy. Trust her. Ask her to marry you at once, as fast as you can get a license. Whether or not she does it will give you your answer. If she's guilty as charged, she'll run."

26

Jenny had damped the candle and was trying to sleep when she heard a light tapping at the door. She sat up, gathering Meg's old quilt around her.

There had been plenty of sadness in her life, but none more wrenching than she'd suffered in recent hours.

The tapping sounded again and she got up. Trailing the quilt on the floor she went to unlock the door and peer out—at Latimer. He looked wild with his hair blown awry, a cloak hanging askew on his shoulders, and no neckcloth.

Without warning, he pushed his way in, bumping her as he strode past.

*'Lock the door," he demanded, and she did as he asked. By the hght of the fire he Ut a candle and carried it into the bedroom.

Jenny's heart began a harsh, thud-thudding and she followed him timidly until she stood at the foot of the bed. Latimer relit the old candle from his new one and set them both on the table beside the bed.

He pointed to the bed and said, *'Get in."

"It's your turn t'be inside," she said. "I've a quilt and I'll he atop."

He pounded a fist against his brow. "Do what you like, but do it now. We have a good deal to accomplish this night."

Jenny could scarcely stand for the wobbling in her legs.

Her stomach flipped over. She made to crawl onto the bed, attempting to take the quilt with her, but Latimer snatched it away and said, "Lie down." When she did, he spread the quilt over her again. "I'm late," he announced. "I had unexpected things to attend to. Forgive me."

"O'course I will, but I missed ye."

He narrowed his eyes but didn't respond to her comment.

"Ye look so tired. Please get some rest."

"Rest?" he said and gave a cold laugh. "I doubt we'll rest tonight." He tossed the cloak aside and took off his coat.

"Ye look cold," she told him. "Ye were outside, I see. Is the weather changin'?"

"I neither know, nor care."

She sighed. "I see. Ye're not yoursel'."

"Get under the covers," he said shortly.

"I willna," she told him. "It's your turn and I'm perfectly happy where I am.



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