Free An Improper Situation (Sanborn-Malloy Historical Romance Series, Book One) by Sydney Jane Baily

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    “ Yes.” “No.” Their adult voices were simultaneous. Charlotte sighed.
    “ Does the whole town know that you’re staying here, or not, Mr. Malloy?”
    “ I assure you, I always maintain the utmost discretion. Of course, we don’t know what Mrs. Cuthins might have imparted.” His grin was broad. “As far as the fair Miss Prentice is concerned, I’m here on business, which I am, am I not?” He didn’t wait for a reply. “Of course,” he added, “everyone will see we’re together when we enter the dance.”
    The kids squealed again, assured that they were all going, but Charlotte was not budging.
    “I’m definitely not going and I’m not at all convinced it is a dance for children, my cousin’s children, Mr. Malloy, but I am sure you will have an enjoyable time.” She hoped that sounded firm and final because she could see that Reed Malloy had other ideas.
    As expected, he fixed her with a challenging look, accompanied by the children’s protests.
    “Why can’t we go, Aun’ Charlie?” Thomas asked, stuffing a piece of meat in his mouth at the same time.
    “ Don’t you like to dance?” Lily added as if she couldn’t imagine such a thing. She eyed Charlotte with wonder.
    “ I’m extremely busy right now, children. And . . . I, well, I don’t go to dances often.” Try never, she added silently. “As for you—”
    “ Who would have thought it,” Reed said slowly, interrupting her words, “the highly opinionated, independent Charlotte Sanborn, . . . a wallflower.”
    “ A wallflower!” she said horrified. Thank God the children wouldn’t know what that meant. She would never have phrased it thus.
    “ A shrinking violet, then?” he offered, his tone helpful though his eyes were glittering.
    In truth, she was quite shy, and something about groups made her feel a bit lost. Anything that she could say so well on paper, never came out of her mouth with the same finesse and effect.
    Charlotte sighed. This was getting too complicated by far. The sooner the children and their handsome lawyer were out of her house the better. Suddenly, Lily exclaimed aloud as her knife slipped and she cut her index finger. Charlotte was out of her chair instantly, taking hold of Lily’s hand and pressing the small wound tightly with a clean towel to staunch the bleeding.
    Lily looked very pale and Reed stood up, putting his hand on her small shoulder. “I suppose we’re supposed to cut the meat for them,” he said, and if Charlotte hadn’t known better, she would have sworn he seemed a bit off kilter, sounding doubtful for the first time since she’d known him. Maybe it was the sight of blood on the little girl’s hand.
    After a moment, Charlotte said, “There, it’s not bad at all. It’s barely a graze. The bleeding has stopped.” Thaddeus had done much worse many times. “Come on, Lily, let’s go clean it up a bit.”
    Reed started to follow and Charlotte shook her head, still holding onto the little girl’s hand. He was fussing like an old biddy and it would only make Lily more frightened. “There’s no need for you to come along, Mr. Malloy. It’s a small cut; all it needs is a clean piece of gauze. You and Thomas finish your supper.”
    She hustled the little girl up the stairs to where she kept a few medicinal items. Charlotte was beginning to think it would be good for the children to experience the freedom of the west—it seemed they were coddled much more than she or her brother ever were. It was also relieving to know that Reed wasn’t completely at ease as a mother hen; she had started to think he was damned near perfect at everything.
    “Aunt Charlotte?” Lily broke in to her musings, shifting in the chair as Charlotte applied witch hazel with a cotton pad.
    “ Hold still,” she admonished gently.
    “ Aunt Charlotte?”
    “ Yes, Lily?” She was cutting a small piece of gauze.
    “ We can go to the barn dance can’t we? My finger won’t ruin it?”
    Charlotte looked