When she finally found her way to bed that night, Emily was ready for sleep but her mind was not. She worried about what Albert would try next. The man was quite possibly mad as a hatter, she thought. No one could think killing off so many in one family would never raise any suspicions. And, by now, she would think a sane man would have given up. A sane man certainly would not resort to increasingly large groups of men openly attacking them. There was no subtlety to that and secrecy had seemed to be what Albert wanted. Now he was just lashing out.
Then there was Iain to wonder about. What was she to do about him? She could say she would not be his lover anymore but she knew there was little chance of her holding to that. Could she coax him into saying what he felt and what he wanted? Emily was not sure she could do that. She was not sure he was the sort of man one could coax. What she needed from him was a return of the love she felt for him but she had no idea of how to get that or ask for it.
She also worried over whether she should take Neddy and get back to England, try to reach her grandfather. He would keep them safe. He could even afford to hire people to hunt down Albert. All she had to do was get him to believe that Albert wanted her and Neddy dead. The dead had continued to pile up though so he might be ready to listen to her. That had not gone well the last time she had tried it so she was reluctant to try again but she did not see that she had much choice. She was very reluctant to risk Neddy’s and her life to do so, however.
Reaching up she rubbed at her forehead, feeling the strong hint of an aching head forming. First she would sleep, she told herself firmly, for she badly needed to. Then she would think over things and come to a few decisions. It was past time to stop just letting the MacEnroys take care of her and get a better control over her own life. She was now a woman alone, one with the full responsibility of her sister’s child, and it was past time she acted like it.
Chapter Fourteen
Emily rolled out the pie crusts for Mrs. O’Neal’s pies, her mind awhirl with thoughts of Iain and what game he played now. Instead of his usual hot and cold moods, he was a perfect gentleman. Since part of that included not making love to her any chance he got she was a little concerned. For a week now he had brought her small gifts from candy to flowers. Instead of stealing kisses when they sat on the back porch he wanted to talk, about her, about him, about what they both wanted in life.
Talking was nice, she told herself firmly. It was good for them to get to know each other as well as possible before they continued the affair they had stumbled into. Emily knew that was right and proper. Her body, however, was not the least bit happy with right and proper. It wanted passion, heat, and excitement. Her body wanted kisses and caresses, not talk.
She sighed. Emily had not realized she could be so shameless. What she wanted broke every rule she had ever been taught. Family and society both heartily condemned such things. Emily wondered why that did not trouble her more.
“You are being unusually quiet,” Mrs. O’Neal said as she set down the fruit for the pies.
“Just thinking.” Emily glanced at the bowl. “What did you put in with the apples?”
“Some of the berries you and the children collected. Took out what I needed for the jam and had a few left. Thought they would add a nice touch to the pie.”
“I suspect they will.”
“So what are you thinking on?” Mrs. O’Neal nudged her with her elbow. “Iain?”
“And why would I spend time thinking on him?” Emily asked in her haughtiest voice as she began to place the crust in the pans Mrs. O’Neal had set down.
“Humph. You had a dreamy look in your eye.”
“I didnothave a dreamy look in my eye.”
“Oh, yes, there certainly was.” Mrs. O’Neal did a dramatic imitation of such a look and Emily had to laugh. “I also noted that the man is courting you.”
“Is that what he is doing?” Emily decided that was not a bad thing although she wondered why he even bothered when she had already given him what her mother and other older women had said men always wanted.
“Flowers, even candy. Which was very good, by the way. He has even started painting a picture for you.”
“What?” Emily stared at Mrs. O’Neal in shock. “What painting?”
“One of the little gorge up the trail. But I shouldn’t have said anything. Must be a surprise for you so best remember to act surprised when he gives it to you.”
Emily watched Mrs. O’Neal put fruit in the pies and then put some of her crust on top. Iain was painting her a picture of a spot she had idly mentioned to him. It was going to be a struggle not to try to find which room he was painting in and go have a peek. She inwardly shook her head. There was always the chance Mrs. O’Neal was wrong and Iain was painting it for himself.
There was the echo of a knock on the door and Emily frowned as she wiped her hands to go and see who was there. Her eyes widened when she opened the door to find the Bannisters. She had managed to make the trip into town a few times to have tea with Charlotte but had not felt it safe to ask the woman out to the MacEnroys yet. There did not need to be anyone else pulled into the dangerous mess that her life had become.
“Charlotte, how wonderful to see you.” She opened the door wider and smiled at little William. “And you William. Where is George?” she asked Charlotte.
“He is speaking with the MacEnroy brothers. Is it all right that I wheedled a ride with him?”
“Yes, of course it is all right. Come in.” She smiled at William. “Shall I find Neddy?”
“That would be lovely,” said Charlotte, “although I do not know how long we are to stay.”
“I suspect until Mr. Bannister and Iain are done with their business.” She brought Charlotte and little William into the parlor and Emily then excused herself to fetch some tea.
Mrs. O’Neal was already putting a tea tray together for her. “I think this is the first time we have had a visitor here. Well, except for the occasional fellow who comes to speak to Iain about business. Do you want me to send Neddy in?” Mrs. O’Neal grabbed some small cakes she had made and kept in the pantry for the children.
“Oh, yes, please. She has brought her boy with her. I was hoping the two boys would become friends. I can carry the tray in if you could find Neddy for me.”
