Simply Scandalous by Kate Pearce Read Free Book Online

for him again, he pushed her away until her back met the wall. She held his gaze, tried to put everything she felt in her eyes and saw the answering passion in his. Behind him the door to the servants’ hall opened and she saw her maid smiling at her.
    â€œAre you ready to go, miss?”
    Emily took a deep breath. “Yes, I believe I am.”
    Even though she walked away from Ambrose with her head held high, her mind was in total disarray.

4
    E mily adjusted the angle of her parasol to deflect the sun and continued to walk toward the banks of the Serpentine. Despite the sunlight, there was a sharp breeze blowing across the water that made all the little toy boats speed up, their white sails frantically bobbing up and down as their small owners chased them along the shoreline.
    For some reason, Ambrose had decided that both he and Seamus should accompany her to meet Thomas Smith. The tall and beefy figure of Seamus Kelly dressed in his best livery walked just behind her. Ambrose wasn’t visible, although Emily knew he was there. She scanned the benches that faced the water, and her gaze settled on a lone figure waiting on the farthest seat.
    Despite Seamus’s reassuring bulk behind her, she suddenly felt quite nervous. Perhaps she should have spoken to Richard before she embarked on her expedition to meet Mr. Smith. Richard might have clearer memories of the gardener than she had.
    â€œIs everything all right, miss?”
    Seamus’s soft Irish accent intruded on her scattered thoughts and she turned toward him.
    â€œI’m fine, Seamus. I think I see Mr. Smith over there.” She pointed at the farthest bench and started walking again.
    The man stood as she approached, and she realized he was still much taller than she was. In his prime, she reckoned he might have rivaled Seamus for size and strength. She remembered hearing a vague rumor that he had been the local boxing champion. He was no longer so hard muscled and had run to fat, his hair gray under the hat he swept off at her approach.
    â€œWhy, Miss Ross, I would’ve recognized you anywhere. You are the very spit of your mother.”
    â€œMr. Smith.” Emily curtsied and took a seat at the far end of the bench.
    â€œDo you remember me, then, lass?”
    â€œA little, sir. I remember that my mother considered you an expert on roses.”
    He gave an odd laugh. “Your mother considered me an expert at many things.”
    Emily kept her smile firmly in place. “I’m sure she did.”
    â€œDid she ever tell you about me?”
    Emily blinked. “Tell me what?”
    He sighed. “I’ll wager she didn’t. Your father wouldn’t have allowed it, and she was too frightened of his wrath to disobey him.” He fiddled with the brim of his hat before replacing it on his head. “She asked me to give you something.”
    â€œMy mother did?”
    â€œAye.” He slid his hand inside his greatcoat and brought out a wooden box. “I’ve been out of the country for several years. I promised her I would wait until you were grown up before I delivered her gift to you.”
    He put the box down on the seat between them, and Emily studied the battered wooden carvings.
    â€œIt’s a little battle weary because I’ve carried it with me all these years.”
    Emily considered him. “Do you know what is in there?”
    He smiled. “Aye.” Abruptly he rose and touched his hat again. “Good-bye, Miss Ross. If you should wish to speak to me, I’ll be at the Angel Inn, Islington on the Great North Road.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Smith.”
    He stared at her for another long moment before nodding to Seamus and striding away toward the entrance of the park. Emily remained on the bench gazing at the box.
    â€œDo you want me to open it for you, miss, or shall we wait for Mr. Ambrose? I see him coming down the path now.”
    â€œLet’s wait for him,