Free His Unexpected Bride by Jo Ann Ferguson Page B

been unwilling to say aloud?
    She resisted the temptation to crumple the note and throw it back onto the tray before she sent for the innkeeper to take away this unwelcome gift. Looking down at it again, she bristled as if she were a hedgehog like Heddy when she reread, until I can find a way to end this . She needed to show Cameron she was not entirely witless, even though he obviously believed that in the wake of this evening’s conversation.
    Her fingers refused to close over the paper to wrinkle it into a ball. As much as she wanted to dismiss his note as coldhearted and unfeeling, she could not keep from recalling how gentle his touch had been when he led her to the carriage and away from her home to begin a new life which neither of them had anticipated when they first met two days earlier. In the rarely unguarded depths of his eyes, she had seen the powerful emotions he tried to conceal.
    Hearing a chuckle, she looked up to see Jenette smiling.
    â€œWhat is so amusing to you?” Tess placed the letter on the table.
    Folding Tess’s gown and placing it on the foot of the bed, Jenette said, “Forgive me, my lady. ’Tis nothing. Nothing at all.” She went to the tray. “Do you wish me to pour for you?”
    â€œSome of the chocolate, please.”
    â€œWith a dash of brandy?”
    Tess bit her lip as she stared at the full bottle. It must have cost Cameron dear. If she left it behind untouched, the innkeeper would sell it again. It should be enjoyed, although she doubted Cameron would drink very much brandy again so soon after letting it betray him.
    Picking up the bottle, she said, “Jenette, I need you to do me a favor.”
    â€œOf course, my lady.”
    â€œPour me a cup of chocolate while I dress. Then I want you to do an errand for me.”
    Behind the screen, Tess drew on her simple white nightgown. She closed her wrapper over it before going to her bag. She was about to open it when she heard scratching sounds from the hedgehog’s cage. She lifted the cloth from it and opened her bag, then took out the small box that contained the food she had brought for Heddy’s journey to London. Opening it, she gave the hedgehog a serving and set the cage in a shadowed corner by the bed where the moonlight would please Heddy. She ignored Jenette’s grumbles about bringing insects into a perfectly clean room.
    Leaving Heddy to enjoy her dinner, Tess found the writing box she had not intended to use until she reached London. She lifted out a single slip of paper and thanked Jenette, who put a cup of the fragrant hot chocolate beside her along with the cup of soup. Tess began to write. Words which usually came to her with ease faltered, and she stumbled her way through a few sentences. Reading it, she was unsatisfied. She considered throwing it away and starting over, but she doubted if she could do better. Folding it, she held it out to her abigail.
    â€œJenette, would you take this and the bottle of brandy to the innkeeper and ask him to deliver it to where Mr. Knox and Lord Hawksmoor are staying?”
    â€œNo need to bother Mr. Hunt. His lordship and Mr. Knox are just across the hall.” Her eyes twinkled, and Tess suspected Jenette was hoping for the chance to see Park again. “I shall deliver it myself.” Before Tess could chastise Jenette for such unsuitable behavior, her maid had slipped out the door. It remained slightly ajar behind her.
    Curiosity teased Tess to sneak closer and listen to what was said. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering at the thought. But at the thought of what? Of being discovered lurking there like a naughty child or of having Cameron catch sight of her when she was dressed so inappropriately?
    She laughed aloud, but there was no humor in the sound. Cameron had seen her in déshabillé already. To play the shy lass flirting with a dashing rogue was something she could not do.
    Jenette’s laugh floated into