Samantha James by One Moonlit Night Read Free Book Online Page A

minor baronet, and a retired military officer.
    William had risen to his feet, his hat in his hands. Tall and blond, he smiled at her warmly. “Miss Olivia, forgive my calling on you unannounced. I’m having my horse shoed at the livery, so I thought I would stop by. Emily said she wasn’t certain when to expect you, so I hope you don’t mind that I waited.”
    Her smile wavered but an instant. “Not at all, William. Would you like tea?”
    “Tea would be delightful.”
    “Good. I’ll be back in just a moment.”
    Olivia busied herself in the kitchen. In the parlor she could hear William’s low baritone and Emily’s soft, shy tones. Returning, she slid the tray onto thesmall table before the settee where Emily was sitting.
    Olivia eased down next to her. “Emily,” she said calmly, “will you pour?”
    Emily’s head turned sharply in her direction. Olivia was well aware of her sharp intake of breath.
    “Olivia—” she began waveringly.
    “You can do it, love,” Olivia prompted softly. “Here, I’ll help you.” She guided Emily’s fingers to the tall white teapot. “The teapot is at three o’clock, the cups at twelve, six and nine o’clock.”
    Emily’s fingers curled hesitantly around the handle. Olivia held her breath. For an instant, she thought Emily would snatch her hand away—she looked ready to cry. Olivia sent a silent prayer heavenward. This was something they’d practiced over and over. While she was confident Emily could do it, she suspected Emily was certain she could not . In the meantime, William looked on with a combination of doubt and skepticism.
    Emily had found the first teacup. She slid it carefully toward the teapot. The gentle clink of china against china sounded; Olivia could tell she was listening intently for the sound. Very slowly Emily tipped the spout forward, even as she slipped the tip of a finger just inside the cup. When the hot liquid touched her nail, she stopped pouring.
    Her sigh of relief was audible, her smile tremulous. Olivia felt like shouting her sister’s triumph. “William,” she said gaily, “cream and sugar?”
    An expression of incredulity had passed over his face. “Cream,” he managed. “Just a tad.”
    By the time Olivia had poured in the cream, Emily had already filled the second cup and reached for the third.
    She spilled not a drop.
    The victory was a small one, perhaps, but Olivia felt as if her chest would burst with pride. Emily was becoming most self-sufficient.
    They spent the next half hour drinking tea and chatting. Emily even laughed several times as William related some of his experiences on the Continent during his stint in the military. When they’d finished, Olivia gathered up the tray and headed into the kitchen.
    A moment later there was a touch at her elbow. Startled, she turned to find that William had followed her.
    “Olivia, I know ’tis none of my affair, but I cannot help but wonder why you allowed Emily to pour tea as she did just now.”
    Olivia’s chin came up a notch. “You’re right,” she said quietly, “’tis not your affair.”
    He was taken aback by such bluntness. She could see it in his expression.
    It came to her then…William seemed…different, somehow. Different from the jovial youth she’d known for so long. He was far more serious—and far less patient—than he’d been before he’d left to fight against Napoleon’s army. At times—like now—she’d glimpsed a harshness in him that was totally at odds with the boy he’d once been. At other times he was insufferably arrogant!
    She attempted to explain. “I cannot allow Emily to sit and do nothing for herself. She may be blind,” she told him evenly, “but she is not helpless. And she must feel that she is still able to do things for herself.”
    Color rose high and bright on his cheekbones.“Nonetheless, I cannot say I approve. Why, she could injure herself.”
    Olivia was faintly vexed. She was right, and he simply refused to admit