Love Then Begins by Gail McEwen, Tina Moncton Read Free Book Online Page B

shocked at how the days had flown by. Today must be at least the 28th of December . . . how had they missed Christmas? A glow rose to her cheeks—she knew exactly how and why Christmas had passed them by without notice. Nevertheless, Dr McKenna was under the assumption that she was abandoning their work . . . and if he was going to leave in three days . . .
    Without wasting any more time she impulsively drew out a fine sheet of paper from the open shelf on the writing desk and set to work.
    It took her just a few minutes to produce her short note. Really, there was no need for ceremony on the issue. She was already late with her answer and a quick refutation to put the doctor’s mind at ease that he need not even contemplate going through the arduous task of engaging another illustrator—not when they had come so far and she was so confident she could carry out her original engagement without any trouble at all—was surely all that was needed to settle the matter.
    Holly looked down at the note she had composed in such certainty and hurry, “ . . . it is clear that such a measure would be unnecessary on my account and much too troublesome on yours...” She frowned when her conscience rebelled at this turn of phrase, but she put the thought out of her mind and signed the note. It was true. It was far too much trouble to put kind, good Dr McKenna through after all he had done for her. It was certainly impermissible that other concerns of the new Lady Baugham, who had, after all, assumed that title without much warning to anyone, should become a detriment to the career and work of another. No, she would finish her work for Dr McKenna quickly and it would be no bother to her husband or her new life. In fact, he probably need never even know she was doing it . . .
    She was startled out of her thoughts at the voice of her husband in the doorway.
    “There you are, I see” he grinned cheekily, “just as I commanded. Or almost. This is not quite the dining room, is it?”
    She quickly straightened up in her chair, hastily stuffing the doctor’s letter into her pocket. “If you think . . . ” she began, but he merely breezed in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
    “Save the scolding, darling, until I can enjoy it at my leisure. At the moment I must change before my feet turn into ice blocks.” Another peck and a promise to be back before she could miss him, and she was alone again with her letters.
    Holly put her hand on her pocket and felt the slip of paper through the fabric. Seal it, address it, off with it and have done with it. Yes, and then back to normal.
    S HE WAS SITTING CURLED UP on the window seat in the farthest corner of the small sitting room, holding her book at an awkward angle to catch the last of the sunlight, streaming in low and pale over the rest of the room. From his vantage point by the door to the dining room he could only see the back of her head and the graceful line of her neck and shoulders as she leaned forward towards the window. Dark hair had escaped her carefully plaited knot on the top of her head and dark tendrils snaked their way over the milky white skin. Even if he could only see that much of her, he had no intention of moving, for he had come upon her unawares and he would not miss the opportunity to study her in peace. That, and also the fact that the exposed neck was a beautiful and alluring sight in its innocence. It was, after all, not often he had been able to study it in such a state. Usually when he was in a studying mood her hair was flowing freely and the darkness of their chambers made heavy shadows play their tricks on her features and curves. Like this, he could see it in all its glory and daylight and truly appreciate the sight.
    His wife shifted a little in her seat and he withdrew somewhat. He did not want to be found out just yet. He wanted to stand and look at her secretly for just a few minutes more.
    Suddenly there was a small snorting noise and she let out a