Free Some Enchanted Dream: A Time Travel Adventure (Seasons of Enchantment Book 2) by Lily Silver Page B

him, choosing instead to remain calm and reasonable. If she wanted him to respect her opinions, flying into a rage would not accomplish her goal. 
    "I choose my own friends. I will not have them chosen for me." There, she managed to say it without the slightest hint of the churning emotions roiling inside of her.
    "She's no better than a whore." Adrian's hand sliced at the air. He was scowling at her with parental censure. "The association will mar your reputation, and mine as well."
    Anger surged through her at his words. A loud clap of thunder rumbled above, shaking the rafters in its rising fury. When the sound subsided she replied, "yeah, because we are Lord and Lady Dillon, members of the Irish aristocracy! Geez, I forgot that, living in this four story flat that's smaller than a closet in your castle back home."
    "I am working to repair that difficulty, most feverishly. I've inquired about nearly every rental in Paris, and most of the hotels during the past two weeks. I've walked, nay, limped all over the city trying to find a better situation for us-- for you . The hotels are all booked for the exposition. If you had brought us to the correct time period I would have had friends to call upon to assist us or at least offer us temporary shelter in the better neighborhoods."
    So, this whole thing was her fault? Tara ground her teeth to prevent a very nasty comeback from breaking past her lips. Screw you, Lord Dillon .
    Thunder boomed above them like a cannon, drowning out everything as the clouds shifted above their roof. Lightening crackled outside the window, sharp and sizzling.
    Tara felt a strange sense of release at the sound.
    Why? It wasn't as if she created the thunder or the lightening.
    A discreet knock sounded on the thin wooden door.
    She moved instinctually to answer it, and true to form, Adrian moved in front of her, putting his hand out, preventing her from seeing who was on the other side. She wanted to smack him, but at the same time, his protectiveness cracked the hastily applied armor she'd cast over her heart.  As expected, it was the food. She moved closer to peer over his shoulder. A boy of ten stood there with a wooden crate in his arms. Adrian took the crate and placed it on the table. He removed the covered roasting pan and the wine from the crate and brought it back to the door.
    "Give him a tip," she suggested, and took to leaning against the doorjamb.
    Adrian's eyes narrowed. "I am not his father. Why should I give him a tidbit of wisdom?"
    "No, a coin for his efforts. A tip is monetary compensation where I come from. It is four stories of stairs." Not waiting for a reply, Tara held out her hand expectantly.
    Adrian handed the crate to the boy and reached into his trouser pocket. He fished out a coin, a ha'penny, and then another and still a third. Really, three half pennies? she fumed, but held her tongue as he handed his tip to the boy and closed the door in the lad's shining face.
    The scent of roast beef with onions and herbs filled the room. Tara inhaled the delightful aroma and moved to stand at the table. Dinner, alone, in Paris, with her contentious spouse.
    Adrian took a seat. He was frowning. Was he waiting for Tara to serve him?
    "Excuse me?" Tara arched her brows at him as she opened the lid of the roasting pan and fragrant steam rose from the pot. "Grab the plates and forks behind you, unless you intend to eat with your hands straight from the pot, Lord Dillon ."
    He rolled his eyes to the ceiling and then leaned back in the chair to snatch two tin plates and forks from the shelf. The clatter of the metal as the plates landed on the wood table echoed about the room. "Anythin' else, m'lady?" His terse attempt at a cockney accent was unexpected.
    Tara grinned, amused by his quick comeback. "Yes, cups for the wine please, and a knife to slice this wonderful roasted beef."
    Adrian stood and turned to the green open cupboard behind him. He rummaged about in a basket and rattled a