The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (25 page)

“Yes, I know.”

Emma turned to Harry, and said in a low voice, “I am a very nosy person. What's going on?”

He turned her away from the others. “He took Anna to inspect the house, and all was not as it should have been. We went to Dover yesterday and bought fabric. Rutherford was embarrassed to have Anna see in what poor shape the house was in and wants everything shipshape as soon as possible.” Harry glanced briefly at his sister and her betrothed. “They've agreed to make several changes. The problem is Lady Rutherford. Anna wants to try to get along with Rutherford's mother, so all the orders must come from him.”

Emma worried her lip. “I agree with Anna. Lady Rutherford would not take modifications coming from Anna well at all. I have to say, I noticed the problem in the chamber I was given. Harry, I don't understand what she has against Anna.”

He shrugged. “Rank. Anna's portion is large enough, even with my return from the dead, and our family is old and well thought of.”

Emma was startled. Even in the West Indies, most of the estates were tied up. “So the estate is not entailed?”

“No.” He laughed and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “She was a great heiress for a few years.”

Emma's brows rose and drew together. “But, you said it is a matter of rank? Is that the reason I was only known as a granddaughter of a duke?”

He raised his hand and dropped it again. “Yes. Rutherford's mother thought to make a match with you and him. Of course, he'd already decided on Anna. Or I should say, they'd decided on each other.”

What a very sad family. “Do you know, in a way I feel sorry for Lady Rutherford.”

Harry's lips tightened.

Emma put her hand on his arm. “Something is very wrong. I sensed it in London and even more so here.”

His expression grew serious. “Do you have any idea what it could be?”

She sighed. “No, none at all.”

The two couples walked in the gardens. They skirted the fountain and the formal rose garden, making their way to the folly and around the lake, then went back toward the house. Harry steered Emma toward an arbor. He'd been thinking about her for two weeks and was almost sure he was in love. A different love than with Marcella, one in which they both knew who they were.

Harry and Emma both spoke at once.

She blushed. “You go first.”

“I wanted to say, I'm glad you're here. You?”

“I'm glad you're here.” She gazed up at him. “Tell me, have all your memories returned?”

“Yes.” His lips twisted into a remorseful smile. “I also discovered my true manner is not what it was on Guernsey.”

“Does that bother you?” she asked.

“A little. I wish I could have been who I really am with Marcella.” He closed his eyes and opened them to find concern in Emma's face. “Then again, I'm not sure she would have wanted me as I am.”

Emma's brow creased. “I don't understand.”

Harry wasn't quite sure how to explain it. “How would you have described me when we first met?”

Her eyes widened. “You were a little shy, self-effacing”—she smiled up at him—“and very kind. You kissed my hand.”

Harry grinned at the memory. “That isn't who I am.”

Emma's smiled deepened. “Oh, I don't know. You're still very kind. Harry, I knew you for who you were the first time you saved me from Reynolds. Even more so when you didn't understand why the landlady wouldn't take orders from you.”

“And you told me I needed new clothes. All of which led me to finding myself.”

“That was bound to have happened.”

“Yes, but you made it happen sooner.”

She tensed, and he didn't know why. “What's wrong?”

“I don't want your—regard for helping you. I would have done it for anyone. I want . . . I want you to . . .” She shook her head, broke from him, and moved away.

Did she really think he cared about her because of her help? “Emma, I don't want any misunderstandings between us. I've had enough of that.” In two strides he was with her, turning her to him. “I think I'm falling in love with you, but not because you helped me. Because of who
you
are. If you don't feel the same, tell me.” He searched her face. “You came all this way for a Season. To have your pick of the
ton.
I don't want to be the one who takes that away from you.”

Tears pricked the back of her eyes. “Harry, I am in love with you. I knew it that last day in London. I don't need to be a single woman to have my first Season.” She blinked and straightened her shoulders. “I could be a married woman and enjoy it with my husband.”

Emma stopped and waited for him to respond.

He took her hands. “If you can be patient for just a little while longer?”

“Of course.” She glanced up at him searchingly. “We should spend the time learning about each other and talking about what kind of marriage we want. I have to tell you, sometimes I'm not the easiest woman to get along with.”

His lips quirked up. “If you'll recall, I saw you chase off Reynolds and his accomplice.”

She blushed. “Yes, well. It had to be done, and I didn't know you'd be there to help.”

“Would you have liked me to help?”

She smiled slowly. What a question. “What woman does not dream of being rescued by a handsome knight?”

She lowered her gaze from his eyes to his lips. They were behind a hedge, and she was sure no one could see them. “Harry?”

“Yes.” He drew her closer and bent his head.

Emma closed her eyes as his lips touched hers and firmed. He licked tentatively across the seam of her lips. She opened her mouth and met his tongue with hers. Heat welled as they began a slow dance. He tasted so male. She had no other words. His hands seared her back through her cloak and gown. Emma's breath quickened and need—long denied—welled up in her. It had been years since she'd been kissed. But Adam's kisses hadn't been like this. It was as if Harry wanted to possess her. He tilted his head deepening their kiss, and her thoughts dissolved like the foam on a receding wave.

Harry stifled a groan and thanked God that kissing Emma was not at all like kissing Marcella. Emma met him stroke for stroke, her kisses as greedy as his. Her body softened as he stroked her back. Then her arms came up around his neck, and she pressed herself to him.

He hardened, and something inside him swelled and crowed. When he lifted his head, Emma placed her hands on his cheeks and her forehead against his. Harry wanted her so badly, but a small voice of reason pushed through. This marriage would be different than his last. He'd wait until they were married before he made love to her.

She kissed his chin. “I think we need a plan.”

Harry blinked. “A plan?” How had she had the wits to go from that kiss to a plan?

“Yes, all successful endeavors begin with a strategy.”

“And how do we go about this? What would it entail?”

“Well, it would involve our individual goals and how we can join them. We should make a list.”

He regarded her serious mien. “Very well, we'll do it.”

Emma nodded. “Good.”

Harry bent his head and kissed her again. She yielded her mouth and sighed when he claimed it. A much different marriage. One he was looking forward to. He might not need much more time at all.

“Harry, Emma. Where are you?” a high voice called.

Emma started to giggle. “Courtship here might be a bit more interesting than I'd anticipated.”

He shook his head. “Yes. I've been teaching them the games I used to play as a child.”

Her eyes sparkled. “I see. I hope they don't regard me as an interloper.”

Harry grinned. “We may have to have a talk with them.”

“Cece, come back here now,” an older voice said.

“But I want to find Harry. . . .” The voice trailed off.

He heard a cough and looked around to see Rutherford and Anna, both smiling at them.

“I take it we should go in?” Harry asked.

Rutherford's smile deepened. “Yes, it's almost time for tea.”

Harry looked down to see Emma blushing.

“Are we to wish you happy?” Anna asked.

Harry closed his eyes and took a breath. “Not yet. We need a little more time.”

When he opened his eyes, his sister's gaze was full of disbelief.

“Umhm. Shall we go?” she asked. “Or would you like more time?”

“When did you become such an incorrigible little minx?” Harry asked.

“She always was.” Rutherford put his arm around her. “She's just older now.”

“Anna, would you like to go in?” Emma tilted her head toward Harry. “The men can trade insults while you and I get to know each other.”

Harry allowed her to slip from his arms and walk off with his sister.

“It's just as well,” Rutherford said. “There is something I have to tell you about the smuggling shipment.” He told Harry about the meetings with Jamison and Georges. “This is getting too dangerous, and there are too many people playing. I do not want Anna involved.”

Harry stared at him for several moments. He hoped Rutherford's protectiveness was not going to drive a wedge between him and Anna. “I understand, but I think you need to discuss it with her.”

“I'll tell her the shipment was canceled.”

Harry raised his brows. “Not the best plan you've ever had. What do you think she'll do when she discovers you lied to her?”

Rutherford was still for a moment and swallowed. “She cannot find out.”

“I'll have no part in deceiving her, but I won't betray you either.”

 

Anna waited until they were far enough from the gentlemen before she ventured her question. “What are the two of you waiting for?”

“We haven't known each other long at all,” Emma said. “We need to thrash out what we each want from a marriage, and Harry still needs time.”

“Have you discussed where you'll live?”

“No, not yet. I'd have no trouble living with your parents, if that's what he wants. In fact, I'd prefer it. I come from a very large, close family, and I miss the noise and confusion.”

“Goodness, you don't mean to tell me you all lived together?”

Emma smiled. “There is one main house. My eldest brother, his wife, and their children live there with my parents and younger sisters. My married brothers have smaller houses on the property, but mostly we all come together for meals.”

Anna shook her head. “It sounds like a village unto itself.”

Emma grinned. “That is a good way to put it. We're very organized, I'll tell you.”

“You'd have to be. Living so far away from everything and with so many family members. How do the younger ones live?”

“Do you mean my younger brothers?”

“Yes.”

“They each have professions. One is a shipbuilder and the other a lawyer. The latter hopes to become the representative to the court. To be able to address Parliament.”

“I am flabbergasted it all works so well.”

“We don't always get along. There can be pretty serious disagreements.” Emma laughed again. “But my parents always maintain that once the fight is over, the parties must remain friends.” Her eyes became misty. “Then the rum is brought out, and we all discuss the problem. What's important is that we come to a resolution and the trouble is not allowed to fester and become poisonous.”

Anna was amazed by the difference. “How I wish we could do more of that in England.”

“Well, Jamaica is small, and we all need to stick together.”

“Even if you haven't announced a decision, I am delighted you'll be my sister. You must tell Harry everything you've told me, if you haven't already.”

Emma took her hands. “Thank you, for everything. You're so kind to me.”

“Even more, I understand how important it will be for you and Harry to discuss your views, but I don't think you'll have the trouble with him that I had with Rutherford. It took him forever to come to the point, then more time to agree to my terms.”

Emma's laugh was light and tinkling. “Do I dare ask?”

“I want to have an equal partnership. I've done a lot of reading on the rights of women, and my dearest friend was raised with those ideas. I'm very pleased that Rutherford has come to understand I take those issues seriously. Particularly, one venture I took over from Harry. Though we haven't discussed it, he's raised no objections. I could not have agreed to marry him otherwise.”