An Unsinkable Love - By Terri Benson Page 0,66
neighbors to know what goes on in your so-called 'Home for Unwed Mothers,' now would you?"
She swallowed hard and crossed her arms. Then, with more spunk than he expected, she raised her chin and snapped, "No more than your family would want to know what you do here, Mr. Smith."
"I think we understand each other," he gritted and turned to the door. As he left, Eldon pondered whether the woman would be a problem. He shook his head. If things went like 210
An Unsinkable Love
by Terri Benson
they should, he wouldn't have to reside in this backwoods town for much longer, and he'd have no further use for her services.
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An Unsinkable Love
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Chapter 32
The day of the party dawned bright and sunny, just like Bree's mood. She broke into an Irish ditty as she enjoyed a bath. Her gaze repeatedly drifted to the big bed, framed in the doorway, as she replayed memories of last night. Soon she and Malcolm would lie together every night.
Bree met Hannah on the stairs as she skipped down to breakfast. The maid inquired about her injuries, and Bree was surprised to realize she felt no pain at all and, in fact, the fire had been pushed out of her mind by thoughts of Malcolm.
Being reminded about what happened with Eldon the night before sobered Bree, and she walked sedately into the dining room to find Elizabeth and Malcolm already seated. He turned and smiled, rising to help her into her chair. As she bent to arrange her napkin, he pressed a kiss at the side of her neck, giving her shoulders a squeeze.
"How are you feeling, my love?"
Bree flashed a delighted smile at the endearment. "I'm fine. I don't know what's in that salve, but Mr. Murray could be a rich man if he sold it."
Malcolm laughed. "He'll never give up the secret." He sat next to her and glanced back and forth between the two women. "I know today is going to be busy. What can I do to help?"
Elizabeth observed them with a gentle smile. "You can stay out of the way, my boy. The staff knows what needs done.
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Why don't you go fishing or take a drive in that silly car of yours? Just be sure to return in time to change for the party."
He made a wry face. "I can see I'm not wanted."
"That's not true. I want you." The words were out of Bree's mouth before she realized what she'd said.
Malcolm and Elizabeth both laughed. "I'm glad to hear it,"
he said with a knowing smile, squeezing Bree's hand under the table as she blushed furiously.
As soon as breakfast was finished, Malcolm dutifully headed out, and the two women turned themselves to the final tasks before the party.
* * * *
Eldon watched Malcolm roar off in the Mercer, a haze of dust hovering in his wake. He'd returned to the house in the wee hours of the morning, and quietly made his way to his room for a change of clothing. It seemed prudent to make himself scarce for the day, but with Malcolm gone now there was no need to put himself out.
He ambled out to the barn and waited for Murray to saddle his favorite gelding. He stared at the chaff floating in the sunlight and brooded over the multitude of arrangements he needed to set into motion. Too bad the board of directors couldn't observe his organizational skills today—they'd be quite impressed. Just another example of why he was so much better suited to running the company than his wife's whelp. Yes, indeed, there was quite a lot to do before the festivities began. Eldon mentally rubbed his hands in glee.
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Just as he started to take Murray to task for his slowness, the groom led the horse over and offered a leg up. Snorting, Eldon threw himself in the saddle and jerked the gelding around, forcing the horse's broad chest to catch the groom in the shoulder and knock him to the ground.
Without a backward glance, he rode down a nearby trail toward the village. He left his mount at the livery at the far end of town. There were more and more motorcars in the area, but many of the old-timers insisted on keeping their horses and carriages on the roads. And today Eldon wanted to attract as little attention as possible. There was no telling when or where Malcolm might turn up, and