A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles Read Free Book Online

Harrison and Lowe cared about its workers.
    'I merely wanted to help.'
    'The Goose Feast has nothing to do with the bridge project, Mr Stanton.'
    'I understand.' Jack made a slight bow, but his eyes remained inscrutable. 'It is well I am overseeing the bridge-building as now you will be able to concentrate on the feast.'
    'One could look at it in that light.' She waited for him to make his excuses and leave the room. There was no need for him to pretend a friendship or even a common cause.
    He rubbed the back of his neck, started to say something and appeared to change his mind.
    'Was there any particular reason that the book struck a chord with your father?' His voice carried less of a commanding note.
    'My mother always loved Christmas.' Emma saw no reason to hide the truth. 'She died three years ago, and my father dedicates a toast to her memory each year at the feast. I like to think she would have enjoyed it.'
    'I was sorry to hear of her death when your father told me earlier.'
    'Why? It was a merciful release.'
    Emma moved over towards the mantelpiece. She concentrated on arranging and rearranging the figurines. There was no need to explain any further. She had no wish to revisit the four years before her mother's death. When she had control of her emotions, she turned back. He was watching her with a speculative gaze.
    'Having experienced one invalid it made me determined on my present course.'
    'You are right. You have turned into an acid-tongued spinster.' His eyes crinkled at the corners. Emma was surprised how much more approachable he had suddenly become.
    'I do try to find the positives in my situation. People are so apt to feel sorry for me.'
    'And being able to speak your mind is one?'
    'I have little time for polite, meaningless phrases.' Emma crossed her arms in front of her. 'It is a relief to be able to speak my mind.'
    'You are correct--spinsterhood suits you.' He gave a short laugh. 'I had never noticed before, but you have quite a determined chin.'
    Emma swallowed hard, strove to keep it light. 'Mr Stanton, do you delight in provoking me?'
    'Provoking you?'
    'You seem intent on revisiting our quarrel of this morning.'
    'We both want the same thing, Miss Harrison.' He tilted his head to one side, sending a strand of hair flopping over his forehead. 'We were friends.'
    'That was a very long time ago.' Emma lowered her eyes.
    The silence between them grew. Emma tried to push away the memories of that other time when Jack had taken to calling at the house. She had enjoyed his laugh and his lively way of talking, of making her father's projects seem interesting rather than deadly dull, as she had previously thought.
    'I can find other lodgings if my presence discomforts you.'
    'I am not discomforted,' Emma said with a quick shake of her head. She was through with him and she had no regrets. Her mother had been right to advise her against him. 'My father appears quite intent on having you to stay. As he said--he does like to discuss civil engineering.'
    'And you, Miss Harrison, what do you discuss? What are your preferred topics of conversation?' His voice was low, and designed to soothe. She wondered how many women had fallen for it. 'What do you want to discuss?'
    'Something other than bows and ribbons.' She would go for the grand sweep out of the room--something to show him that she was immune to him and his aggravating ways.
    'Miss Harrison?' His low voice called her back, held her.

    Emma paused, her hand on the doorknob. 'Is there something I have forgotten? The servants will show you and your man where your rooms are.'
    'I wanted to reassure you that the foundations will be laid properly.'
    'They were always going to be.'
    'With you supervising?'
    'If necessary. It may surprise you, but I can read a survey. And directing men is no worse than directing servants.'
    'Nothing surprises me about you,' he said softly.
    Emma rapidly pulled the door shut, certain she heard laughter on the other side.

    She