Page 56 of The Gentleman's Confession
“Good news, considering her health has been poor for so long. How were services today?”
“Very dull, indeed, without the Manning family.”
Lisette laughed—not a full laugh like Jemma’s but soft and lyrical. “Don’t be absurd, Miles. We all know the Mannings do their best to fade into the background.”
“Then you can imagine how we suffered without our usual background. A lack of consistency is always problematic.”
Lisette laughed again.
He told her some of the good deeds the children reported to him, drawing more amusement from her. An hour passed quickly, and Miles was glad he had come. Lisette had always been a good friend, even if at times he felt the necessity to avoid her.
He wished her well and slipped from the room. He had planned to leave forthwith, but when he reached the bottom of the staircase, he peeked inside the drawing room in hopes of catching a glimpse of Jemma. Empty. He made his way toward the library.
The door was open. There she was, curled up on the lone sofa, a blanket stretched over her legs and a newspaper in her hands.
He leaned against the doorframe, content to watch her without her knowing for a moment. “Any news on the island of Chios?”
The newspaper came down until he could see the top of her head and her green eyes, but no more. “More casualties discovered. More slaves taken.”
“Sorry news, indeed.”
The newspaper came down a little more so only her chin was hidden.
“May I come in?”
That she didn’t stand or make any pretenses testified of how comfortable they had grown in each other’s company. Her hesitation, unfortunately, said differently. After a half minute, she swung her legs to the floor and shifted to the corner of the sofa.
He took it as an invitation to enter, but he stopped when he reached the sofa. Had she been resting because she was becoming sick? “Have you been unwell at all?”
She shook her head.
“You are still speaking to me though?”
She cleared her throat. “I believe my long walks and all the fresh air have helped my constitution.”
He sighed inwardly with relief. She was healthy and speaking to him. He set his hand on the sofa’s back, fingering the smooth wooden trim. “I have been thinking a great deal about our last conversation. I want to apologize for crossing any lines. You have my support in whatever you choose. If it is Mr. Bentley, then I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
There, he’d said it. Even if he did not quite feel it yet.
Time stretched in the silence between them, making a minute feel far longer than it was.
“Thank you, Miles.” Her shoulders seemed to visibly relax. “I’m sorry too. For being awkward. I didn’t want to be this way. I just am.”
He had been told he was an excellent actor from all their Rebel escapades over the years, so he borrowed Tom’s easy grin,pretending he was more collected than he felt. “You were a bit awkward.”
She gave a short laugh. “Thank you for noticing.”
He pulled out his folded letter from his waistcoat pocket and dropped it on the sofa. He made certain she saw it before dipping his head in a silent parting. He was not eager to leave her, but the disconsolate air around them.
As soon as he had mounted his horse once more, the rain began. It beat against the brim of his hat and ran down his jacket. He didn’t feel a thing, even though he knew it had to be soaking him through. There was too much on his mind. He couldn’t go back to suppressing his feelings for Jemma, but neither would he press them on her. There was too much history between them to do otherwise. He was a Rebel, but not on matters of the heart.
CHAPTER 26
When Lisette asked to accompanyJemma on her walk Monday morning, Jemma could not refuse her. “You may come but only if it is a short distance with plenty of stops to rest.”
Lisette agreed. “I do not want to overtire myself, believe me. It would only mean more naps.”
“You must be heartily sick of your bed.”
