Samantha James by One Moonlit Night Read Free Book Online

couldn’t even contemplate such a thing. If she were without employment, how would she and Emily survive?
    Their eyes met. A lazy half-smile curled his mouth. “I thank you for your time, Miss Sherwood,” he murmured, “and I trust we’ll meet again soon.”
    With that he carried one small hand to his lips. To her utter shock, he kissed the back of each hand in turn, a fleeting brush of his mouth upon her flesh.
    He turned and strode away. Olivia was left standing there, her pulse hammering wildly.
    It was quite improper, the way he’d touched her cheek. The way he’d kissed her hands…
    But he was no gentleman.
    And she was no lady—not a proper lady, like those in London…
    If Charlotte was to be believed, he was a rake of the highest order—a profligate rogue, no doubt! She could not approve. She did not approve.
    Yet all she could think was that Charlotte was right. He was a handsome devil.
     
    It was earlier tonight when Olivia prepared to leave Ravenwood. She was just departing when Charlotte caught up with her.
    “Do ye mind if I walk with ye, Olivia?”
    Olivia smiled at her. “Of course not. I’m glad of the company.”
    They hadn’t gone far before Charlotte cleared her throat. Olivia glanced at her. A frown marred the smoothness of Charlotte’s brow. She opened her mouth, then looked away, only to glance back once more.
    Olivia took her elbow and came to a halt. “Come now, Charlotte. You’ve something to say, so out with it.”
    Charlotte’s manner was unusually reticent. “All right then, Olivia. But feel free to refuse, for I’ve no wish to be a bother—”
    “Charlotte!” Olivia chuckled. “Out with it!”
    “All right then.” Charlotte took a deep breath, then plunged ahead. “Ye know how ye said if I wanted anything, I had only to ask?”
    “Indeed I do. I meant it, too, Charlotte.”
    Charlotte was wringing her hands. “I’ve heard that ye’ve been teaching some of the village children to read and write.”
    “I do,” Olivia said promptly. “Sunday afternoons in the village square, and evenings when I’m able.”
    “I don’t mean to burden ye, but I’d like for ye to teach my boy, Colin, to read and write, too. I never learned, and I—I want him to be clever and learned—like you.”
    Olivia started to protest.
    “Oh, but ye are,” Charlotte said earnestly. “Ye shouldn’t be here slaving away with the rest of us. Ye’re a lady—a truer lady than them wot calls themselves ladies.”
    Olivia was touched beyond words. “That’s all you want? For me to teach Colin to read and write?”
    Charlotte’s head bobbed up and down.
    Olivia had a lump in her throat. After her mother had died, she’d taken on the task of teaching the village children as her mother had done. Now that she was employed, of course, the time spent with them was less, but she’d vowed to continue.
    “Of course I will, Charlotte. I’d be happy to. And don’t worry about it being a burden. I’ve only a dozen or so that come regularly, so one more won’t be a problem.”
    Charlotte searched her face. “Ye’re sure?”
    Olivia reached out and hugged Charlotte warmly. “Of course I am. Besides, that way Colinwill have a chance to get to know some of the other children.”
    Charlotte’s face was wreathed in smiles. “Oh, ye’re a saint, Olivia. Bless ye, luv, bless ye.”
    They made arrangements for Olivia to stop by Charlotte’s home the following evening. They parted near the duck pond in the village. Olivia waved good-bye and trudged onward. A short while later, she turned down the dirt pathway that led to their cottage.
    She called out to her sister as she grasped the doorknob and opened the door. “Emily? I’m home, love.”
    “In here, Olivia.”
    Emily’s voice came to her from the parlor. Olivia stepped briskly toward the parlor only to stop short.
    Emily was not alone. She was perched on the edge of her seat. Across from her sat William Dunsport. William was the son of a