Free Perfect in My Sight by Tanya Anne Crosby

the answers to her questions, but she suddenly felt conscience-stricken for
     the accusations thrown at her.
    Ruth seemed to realize her words were registering, because she calmed and said, “ As I said, Miss Hopkins, if you have any decency at all, you will leave here at once.
     You will hand my brother your notice and you will leave that poor child in peace. ”
    Sarah shook her head. She couldn ’ t. She just couldn ’ t leave without finding out the truth. She couldn ’ t simply walk out the door—and even less now that such an implication had been made
     concerning Christopher. If what Ruth said was true, then Christopher needed her.
    She straightened. “ I am quite sorry if you disagree with your brother ’ s decision, Miss Holland, but no, I cannot agree to leave here. And furthermore, ” Sarah pointed out, “ If I do go, who is to say your brother will not hire someone else to take my place? ”
    “ And why would that concern you? ” Ruth Holland asked bitterly.
    Sarah refused to be cowed by threats or intimidation, no matter the validity of her
     reasoning.
    “ This is not something I chose to do, Miss Holland. This profession chose me. If I
     can help that child, then my own loss is not so great. I suppose you might say I am
     doing this for me, as well. ” And for Mary, she wanted to shout.
    Ruth ’ s face paled with anger. Her lips thinned, and her hands shook at her side. “ I am not powerless in this, you realize. I am not! And so understand me when I tell you, Miss Hopkins, that if I feel yo u are a threat—to that child— I swear to God you will be removed from this house at once! ”
    Sarah stood there, her own anger fading in the face of Ruth ’ s fury. She had nothing to say in response. Ruth Holland clearly loved her nephew
     and would protect him at all cost. And knowing that, how could Sarah truly be angry?
     She wanted so much suddenly to reassure Ruth, but dared not, and so she simply stood
     there.
    “ If you have a complaint with the way I perform my duties, ” Sarah replied finally, “ I suggest you take it up with your brother. ”
    “ I shall be watching you, ” she apprised Sarah, her eyes narrowing with open condemnation.
    “ I understand. ”
    “ My brother will not be available for the evening meal, Miss Hopkins. I suggest you
     order dinner served in your room. ”
    And with that, she spun on her heels and left the room, her message perfectly clear: Sarah was not welcome in her home. She had no allies here, but she hadn ’ t expected any. She had Mel, and she had justice behind her — and she wasn ’ t going to leave until she learned the truth.
    Peter and Ruth Holland be damned!
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 7
     
     
    Cile Morgan was accustomed to things going her way.
    The fact that Peter had attempted to excuse himself at least three times since their
     client had departed didn’t seem to be fazing her in the least.
    And despite the fact that she hadn’t made a single attempt to seduce him before he’d
     called it a night, she was suddenly adamant that he stay with her.
    “Since when do you rush home?” she asked, and gave him that little half smile that
     promised rewards if only he played her way.
    And he always did; he knew which buttons to push, knew how to tease her.
    “Christopher has long been in bed, darling.”
    It was true, normally he didn’t find himself in a hurry. But tonight was different.
     Tonight he was anxious. “It’s been a long day, Cile,” he said, and reached into his
     pocket, withdrawing his watch. He checked the time: 8:20 p.m. He wondered if Sarah
     was already abed.
    Was she an early riser?
    Did she awake full of energy?
    Or was she slow to stir... her body stretching lazily against the sheets... her hair
     spilling upon her pillow...
    His body stirred at the images that came to mind.
    Cile protested with a familiar whine, a low, throaty purr that normally managed to
     tighten his loins and make him hungry for a more