Page 42 of Tempting a Gentleman
Clutching her hands in her lap, Bronwyn asked, “Did you meet with the council?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Aye, and I should like to share with my fiancée what was discussed as soon as she decides to cease attempting to blend into the damned curtains and come join us.”
Bronwyn whispered, “Old habits are hard to break. Give her some time.”
Emma’s nostrils flared as she inhaled and walked directly to stand before her betrothed. Glancing down at Christopher, all her anger evaporated at the sight of his teasing smile. Tamping down the urge to kiss the smirk off the man’s face, Emma asked, “Did ye get the council’s permission?”
Christopher patted the space next to him. “They have requested I see to a number of tasks before and after we wed.” He reached for Emma’s hand and rubbed his thumb over the top of her knuckles. Turning to address Bronwyn, he said, “Was Landon present when you met with the council?”
What the devil was going on? Emma sank to the settee, and Christopher pulled her closer to him. Worried that the council had made impossible demands, she settled in close as an act of support.
Bronwyn’s eyebrows arched. “My husband had already left when Mrs. Lennox arrived and requested I attend an impromptu council meeting prior to meeting with you.”
“Would care to explain the reasoning behind their requests?” All the color faded from Bronwyn’s face as he pulled out a piece of ripped parchment from his breast pocket. “In particular, why Emma is to provide her services exclusively to this one woman?”
Emma couldn’t believe her ears. The council was restricting her clientele to one. “Who?”
Bronwyn raised her chin and answered, “Miss Eliza Suttingham.”
Emma blurted, “Who on God’s green earth is that?”
Her best friend calmly said, “The woman who Tobias, Lord Burke, is in love with and the reason why he has abandoned his duties here as PORF and left for New York.”
“Is that your hypothesis as a PORF or a former Network member?” Christopher’s question caused Bronwyn to flinch. It was odd to see her normally unflappable friend flustered.
“It’s not a theory. It is a fact.”
“So Lord Burke informed my brother that he has forsaken his oath to carry out the Burkes’ family duty to protect the royal family.”
“Well, not exactly. Prior to leaving, he did not share his plans with any of the PORFs.” Bronwyn’s eyes darted to Emma.
“Hmph.” When Emma’s huff failed to draw Christopher’s attention, she moved her free hand to rest upon Christopher’s knee. His gaze fell upon her hand before it traveled up to meet Emma’s. “The Network elders were informed that when Lord Burke departed for the New World, he instructed his steward to sell everything that wasn’t entailed and left specific instructions as to how to disburse the funds to those in his service.”
Christopher glanced back at Bronwyn. “Then explain whyIam to convinceyour husbandit is prudent for a retinue of Network members be sent to follow Lord Burke?”
Emma didn’t care for Christopher’s tone. Her friend was in a challenging position. Like Emma, Bronwyn had been raised to take a seat at the council table when the time came. But now, Bronwyn was a PORF and no longer privy to all the Network’s workings and discussions. Emma spoke before Bronwyn. “What exactly did the council task you with?”
Christopher shifted to face Emma fully. “What would you say to traveling across the ocean to the New World for a spell, after we wed?”
His question slowly registered in her mind. She peeked over his shoulder at Bronwyn, whose eyes were trained on the tips of her shoes that were poking out from beneath her skirts.
Bronwyn stood and said, “Excuse me, I shall go see about arranging tea.” Her friend practically ran to the door and closed it as she left.
Emma raised her hand and cupped Christopher’s cheek. She had a plethora of questions, but she saw the worry in his eyes. Leaning forward, she tilted her head slightly and pressed her mouth to his. She ran her tongue along his bottom lip. He opened for her. Emma kissed him with a passion she hadn’t realized had been slowly building all the while she sat next to him. A deep groan mixed with her soft mews until she pulled back for air.
“Has the council tasked ye to oversee the safety of the Network members who are to go?”
“Aye.”
“Did they order me to accompany ye?”
“Nay. They requested that ye limit your services to Miss Suttingham.”
“Who resides in America.”
“That is true.”
“Are ye goin’ to convince Lord Burke to return to England?”
