Kisses and Scandal (A Survivors Series Anthology ) - Shana Galen Page 0,82
should be able to read and write so well. He had taught himself when he’d arrived in England as slaves in America were forbidden from learning. As the law was intended to keep slaves in their place, the situation was the same in the islands of the West Indies. And that meant she could not have been a slave. She had mentioned organizing papers. Whose papers?
“I suppose my favorite is to have a celebration in the evening. I like the idea of having a string quartet playing and candles lighting the coffee room.”
Mary made a sound and Thomas arched a brow at her. “You don’t like that idea, Mrs. Poole?”
“No, sir. Bond Street is deserted at night. Once the shops close, most people go elsewhere for amusement.”
“The Greedy Vicar is still open,” Thomas pointed out.
“But we do not want to compete with a pub,” Miss Sawyer said. “Mary is right. I didn’t realize this area was not trafficked in the evenings.”
Another clue that she was not from London. Anyone who’d lived in London for long knew Bond Street was to be visited during the day.
Miss Sawyer tapped her paper and pursed her lips in obvious thought. “What would you say to an event in the late afternoon then? Clerks and shopkeepers might stop in before they started home. Businesses might close early or we could stay open a little later so the owners could have a look and perhaps a pastry after locking up for the night.”
“I think it’s brilliant.”
Mary nodded in agreement. “She’s a clever one, Mr. Gaines.”
“That’s what I thought, Mrs. Poole. Give my compliments to the cook, won’t you?” It was a subtle way of dismissing her, but he thought she had heard enough to dispel rumors that there was anything more than business matters between himself and Miss Sawyer.
When Mary had left, Thomas indicated the other chair at the table. “Sit and eat. We can discuss your other ideas later.”
“Thank you, sir, but I am not hungry.”
He sat back and crossed his arms. “You brought your own meal with you then?”
“No.”
“Then you bought something from the coffee room?”
“No.”
“Miss Sawyer, I do not know how it is you came to work for me, but now that you do I feel somewhat responsible for you. I am certain you think you have put on a good show, but it’s quite obvious to me you have no means at all. If I don’t feed you, I doubt you will eat. And now that I get a look at that dress in the afternoon light, I am beginning to think I might need to clothe you as well.”
Her eyes blazed with indignation. “I do not need a man to feed and clothe me.”
“No doubt you do not.” She was obviously strong and capable. “But you could use a bit of help right now. If it makes you feel better, I can deduct a portion of these meals from your wages.”
Her brow furrowed.
“Or,” he suggested, “you can consider it part of your position. If you’re to be my clerk, you must look the part.”
“Your clerk?”
“Clearly, I need one, and you must be dressed appropriately. I’ll send for a seamstress.” He pulled out a pad of paper and made a note before tucking it into his coat pocket again. She stared at him as though uncertain what to think.
“As for sharing a meal with me, it’s part of the job. We will discuss work. Or, if you prefer, consider it a kindness. Poor Mr. Gaines has no one to dine with.”
She snorted in a most unladylike fashion. “I very much doubt that.”
“Do you? Sit down and tell me why.”
She hesitated for one long moment before finally taking the seat opposite him. He passed her a plate with several sandwiches on it and then filled his own.
“I suppose I find it difficult to believe that a man like you should want for company.”
“A man like me? Success is more likely to breed enemies than friends, especially when your skin is the color of ours.”
“I didn’t mean because of your success.”
He paused before taking another bite of his meal. “Then what did you mean?”
She looked down. Had he embarrassed her? He couldn’t think how.
“I meant a man like you.” She gestured to him, but he shook his head, still confused. “A man as handsome as you,” she finally clarified, her words quiet and strained.
Thomas could not stop himself from smiling. She thought he was handsome. Perhaps he was not the only one who was