The Promise of a Gentleman by Linda Rae Sande

Author:Linda Rae Sande [Sande, Linda Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-10-26T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 47

An Error is Revealed

June 23, 1802, Woodscastle

At eight o’clock the following morning, Emma, wearing her freshly laundered gown from the day before, took her seat in the library. She scanned the bothersome ledger that had plagued her the afternoon before, wondering what had caused her to think something was wrong.

It only took a moment to notice the source of the error she had found the day before; there, in plain sight, the amount for the beginning and ending inventory journal entry changed from one page to the next, just as they had done in the journal she had worked on the day of the business meeting. It was a small error—only a pound—but an error, none the less. As she flipped through the pages to the next entries for inventory, she found the same kind of error but for larger amount—ten pounds.

She was looking for instances of the same error when Thomas strode into the library. He walked purposely to the library table and stood next to her. Startled by his sudden presence, Emma tried to get up to curtsy, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Please, don’t get up,” he said quietly. His manner was most formal, but he seemed preoccupied. “I merely came to say ‘good morning’ and to beg your forgiveness,” he began softly. “I just received a post from town. It seems my presence is required at the office as soon as possible. As such, I’ll be unable to have breakfast with you this morning,” he explained, his words coming quickly. His apology seemed heartfelt, though.

“Oh, of course, Mr. Wellingham,” Emma replied with a nod. “Perhaps Christiana will be well enough to join me,” she said hopefully. “She was awake and about to bathe when I came down earlier.” When she noticed his hesitation, she asked, “Is something ... wrong?”

He nodded, but didn’t look at her. “Please, don’t think poorly of me. I was wondering if you would do me the favor of allowing me to … to kiss … to kiss your neck before I depart?” he whispered as he held his hands behind his back. “I believe I shall have a much better day should you grant me such a favor.”

Stunned by the request—and even more stunned by the impropriety of his request—Emma gasped and considered her options. He wants to kiss me, she thought happily.

He wants to kiss me because he thinks he might have a better day?

What an odd request!

“Well,” was all she could say at first. “I … I am flattered you believe a simple kiss will allow you to have a better day. I suppose my neck is yours to kiss,” she replied with a slight shrug as she held her head up and turned it to the side just a bit. Holding her breath, she wondered if she should close her eyes.

Thomas grinned. If she’d given him an answer regarding the impropriety of his request, he didn’t know what he would have done. He took his time as he bent over and allowed his nose to touch the short hairs at the nape of her neck.

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