Page 31 of The Gentleman's Confession
“As if I have to tell you.” If Jemma was flustered with heavy sighs from the likes of Rebecca Hardwick, what must Lisette be enduring?
“You can tell me all about it at our next lesson.”
“What?”
“I noticed you’re still struggling to connect with Mr. Bentley.”
She wasn’t so pathetic. “I’m notstrugglingwith Mr. Bentley.”
“Then, why are you here with me instead of over there with him?”
She sputtered, not liking at all how he’d turned this around on her. “I was just talking to ...” She looked around and realized she no longer knew where Mr. Bentley was. Had he left already? “Oh bother.”
“We ought to meet again. Soon. Come tomorrow—our usual spot—and don’t be late.” He paused, then add, “And I will do my best to leave my adorable self at home.” Miles slipped away from the door and moved toward an older gentleman before Jemma could argue.
She folded her arms and grumbled under her breath. If she needed another lesson, it was because ofhim. If things had turned out differently in their childhood, Jemma might not havebeen so against marriage. She might have paid attention to the natural course of love instead of fighting so hard against it.
CHAPTER 14
Miles did not care toremind Jemma of their purpose for meeting today. She had a newspaper he had brought spread on the bench and was bent over it, her elbow resting on the corner of the paper, her head propped in her hand. He was sitting on the dirt with his back against the bench, his own paper in hand, stealing an occasional glance her way.
The sun warmed the top of his head, and the birds chattered playfully in a nearby thicket close to the creek. Neither the idyllic setting nor the choice in company could be beat. To top it off, no one was around to make a fuss about how incredibly improper their undignified positions were or the fact that they were once again without a chaperone.
He never imagined himself having a day like this. Ordinary in its simplicity and extraordinary in its very existence. He stole another glance at the beautiful woman beside him, and his gaze stuck. He longed to tuck the dark, wavy strand of hair hanging on her cheek behind her ear so she might read better, but for now, he was content just to be near her.
It was . . . perfection.
“It’s horrific!” Jemma sat up, her brows furrowed tight. “News is trickling in about the Greek Massacre on the island of Chios. The numbers are staggering: over twenty thousand killed, twice that amount enslaved, and tens of thousands left as refugees.”
His stomach tightened at the sheer inhumanity of it all. He had seen some snippets of news covering the Greeks’ fight for independence, but the recent headlines were enough to make any civilized person sick. “Horrific is right. It is devastatingto learn so many Christians were killed or abused. I hope the Greeks don’t give up their fight against the Ottomans. Rights of worship and political representation shouldn’t have to come at the cost of death.”
Jemma stared at him. “Are the British sending troops to aid them?”
Miles shook his head. “Nothing has been said yet.”
“Surely something must be done.”
“When there is a strong enough desire to help, a way is provided.” He thought of Jemma as a little girl and her willpower to keep him in Brookeside. It was the sort of merciful movement Europe needed to make.
“Let’s rally as many as we can to help, Miles.”
He grinned, always happy to join a good cause. “Shall we?”
She tapped the paper, and he saw wheels spinning behind her eyes. “I have some personal funds I could donate, and we could encourage our friends to do the same.”
“Why not submit some of your fashion designs that truly showcase Greek culture, with your added modern flare, to some magazines?” Miles suggested. “We need as much national sympathy as we can gather.”
The passion in her eyes went from a spark to a full glow. “I could still send some to the modiste in London for my other project so I won’t sacrifice my cause there but have a more immediate turnaround with the magazines. What a splendid idea.”
It was splendid but only because it made her smile widen.
“I have several sketches that would work perfectly,” she added. “I cannot wait to get started on a few more.” She began folding up the newspaper.
“Don’t get carried away, mind you.” He wanted to encourage her, dive in beside her in another worthy Rebel cause, but he hadto remember she had a great deal on her plate. He couldn’t let her wear herself out.
“Why not? It will be a great challenge.”
“I agree, but will it be too much?”
