Page 48 of Tempting a Gentleman
Emma appeared on the steps in a lovely, light-blue day dress. “He’s come and gone. Lock me door and turn the sign.”
He did as he was instructed and heard Emma sigh. Taking slow, methodical steps, he joined her on the stairs. “What is the matter?”
Hands on her hips, Emma asked, “Do ye always comply without hesitation?”
“Not always. I might object if there were a good reason to.”
Emma frowned and turned to mount the steps. Following close behind, he noted the sagging of her normally taut straight shoulders. He froze as he reached the landing. Pillows had been arranged around a blanket on the floor.
Emma gracefully sank down on the far corner and curled her feet under her skirts. “Are ye goin’ to join me or stand there starin’?”
Of course she knew of his plans. Nothing was kept secret amongst the Network. He placed the basket in the center of the blanket and sat with both legs stretched out in front, crossed at the ankles. “Simon tells me you’ve been extremely busy.”
She raised her gaze to meet his. “Aye. All because of ye and yer bloomin’ plans.”
“My plans?”
“I’m not likin’ the idea of ye marryin’ me and then ye leavin’.”
Christopher’s heart burst with hope.
The angry slope of her brows told him she was deadly serious when she said, “It’s not the union I’d imagined when I agreed to wed ye.”
Trying to control the mixture of fear and hope rioting through his veins, Christopher swallowed and then said, “Enlighten me. What type of union did you envision for us?”
Busy pulling out the food from the basket, Emma began mumbling, more to herself than answering his question. “It’s not like I wanted a fancy life or anythin’. I was content.” Emma paused, hand in midair with a shiny red apple. “Aye, I would have been happy if me life continued to go on the same but with a husband.” Emma snorted—Liar.Catching herself, she handed him the apple and repeated, “I jus’ didn’t imagine being married and then separated from me husband.”
“I had not pictured to be an ocean apart from my wife when I proposed. But I’ll not force you to do anything against your will. I had assumed as part of the Network, you understood our lives would never be the same once we received the mark.” He took the apple and bit deeply to prevent himself from speaking more.
“I do understand, and that’s the reason why I’ve been bloomin’ workin’ day and night to prepare.” Emma reached back into the basket and pulled out a roasted chicken leg.
Swallowing, Christopher asked hopefully, “Prepare to leave?”
Emma sat there, staring at him as she chewed the dark meat that she’d bitten off. It felt like a century before she finally patted her mouth with a napkin and said, “Aye.”
He lurched forward. A great wave of energy forged through him. His forehead touched hers, and he kissed her smiling lips. “What made you decide to leave?”
“Hmm…let me see, it might have been yer dastardly kisses.” Emma giggled as he kissed her again. Pulling back, his wife-to-be cupped his face and stared into his eyes. “I’m sorry, me noggin wasn’t workin’ right when ye first explained. I was confused and scared.”
Christopher lowered his head again. This time he lingered, taking his time to kiss Emma until she relaxed against him. He wanted to reassure her, banish her worries. When she looped her arms about his neck, he relaxed into the kiss and savored the sweet taste of her mixed with the remaining tart juices of the apple.
His elbow hit the basket, and he remembered where they were. “Emma, I must tell you something.”
She tilted her chin up. He couldn’t resist. He bent and indulged in sultry open-mouth kisses until she was left breathless.
He ran his thumb over her furrowed brow. Emma said, “Now ye have me worried again.”
“Emma Lennox, I’ve fallen in love with you.”
“But ye hardly know me.”
“That is the madness of it.” He searched her eyes for understanding and then added, “I’ve never believed a person can fall in love with another upon sight. Yet, since the day I met you, I’ve not been able to think upon anyone else. At first, I thought it was merely physical attraction, but that doesn’t explain why it is your voice in my head challenging me to do better or why I want to seek out your opinion on everything.”
She placed a hand over his heart, and the parchment crinkled. He sat up, pulling her with him. Christopher reached into his pocket and withdrew the list with the names of the Network contingent they were to escort. “And I’d dearly love your advice on the list of people Landon and I have devised.”
Emma peered down as he unfolded the paper. Head bent, she asked, “Wot’s it say?”
He pulled her closer and then pointed to the first column. “Their names,”—he shifted his finger to hover over the next column—“and these are the advantages and disadvantages we considered if they were to leave their present position.”
