“Because the man I told you about who lives on the street is the master carver, the lanterns are being made by ladies from Chinatown, and the workers are young people who are cleaning and helping in the kitchen in exchange for food.”
A ten-foot wave of doubt and worry crashed into him. “We’ll be found out. We can’t do this. The homeless kid out front… He could’ve been spotted.”
Her hand moved to his arm, stroking him into submission. “Take a breath. It’ll work, I promise. Sometimes you have to take a chance on something to achieve greatness.” Cora scooted to the edge of her seat, too close for him to argue. “I thought you said I was brilliant. If you really believe that, then trust me.”
God help him, despite all the churning in his gut warning him not to take such a risk, he did trust her. “We’re playing a dangerous game.”
“I know.”
She needed to understand it wasn’t only his future they risked. He cupped her cheek, willing her to hear his words. “I can’t promise to care for you if we’re found out, but I’ll do whatever I can to secure a good husband for you. I won’t watch you starve by my side. You must remain innocent of all scandal. You need to promise me that if we’re discovered, you’ll confess that you knew nothing and that you’re appalled at the lies I’ve told you.”
“I can’t—”
“Promise me. I won’t watch another person I care for starve to death in my arms.”
Cora closed her eyes and leaned into his hand. Her cheek was warm and inviting. “I knew you cared.”
Dear Lord above, she was right. He did care for her. What man wouldn’t find her attractive? But it was worse than that. His feelings were deeper than he’d ever experienced, as if she’d stolen a piece of him, kept it, and when she left to marry another, he’d never be whole again.
ChapterFourteen
Cora descended the stairs,excited to spend the evening with Ed, but he wasn’t waiting for her in the foyer like she’d hoped.
Ghost winked conspiratorially at her. “We got everyone out without Mr. Neal seeing. He told Cook to send food with the boy from the garden. She’d already packed some up. You good for us here. I see change in all them.”
They reached the end of the hall and entered the dining room. Ed stood on the other side of the table. Candles flickered all over the room. Plates of pork, turnips, corn, sweet potatoes, and okra covered the table.
“What’s this?” Cora asked.
“You’ve been dining on fish and seafood since you arrived. I thought perhaps you’d enjoy some food more familiar to you. Cook thought these would be appropriate.” Ed stood with a beaming smile, and it warmed her heart.
“You did this for me?”
“Cook did, but I asked her to. I wanted to properly thank you for all you’ve done.”
She turned to Ghost, but he’d disappeared. They were alone. Not even a server stood in the corner.
Ed pulled out a chair, and Cora noticed the place settings next to each other. “Please, sit.”
Cora glided over, digging into her roots of how to behave like a lady to attract a man, rules Ma had drilled into her since she could sit at a table. Her nerves twittered and her breath quickened. It had been so long since she’d been formally courted. Was Ed courting her or only showing his gratitude for her work?
He settled at her side and held a plate up for her to make her selection, his gaze fixed on her every move. “I hope it tastes the way it did back home. Cook wasn’t sure about how to prepare them.”
Cora couldn’t breathe under his attention and knew he waited for her reaction, so she tasted a piece of okra and forced a smile. The texture was strange and the flavor peppery, but she’d eat until she could eat no more because Ed had made such an effort to please her. The man with nothing but a bark had settled into a sweet puppy. “It’s delicious. I’ll make sure to thank Cook later.”
He dug in, and she could tell by his initial sour lip pucker that he didn’t enjoy the food, but he covered it with an “mmmm” sound. After downing some water, he set his fork on the edge of his plate. “I was thinking that perhaps if all goes well at the party, you won’t have to pick a new betrothed.”
Cora forced herself to appear calm, despite the excitement welling up inside her. “You don’t think so?”
“No. You mentioned wanting some time to figure things out. I’ll be able to support you in any way you wish.”
“Oh.” She couldn’t hide her disappointment, and he must’ve seen it, because he abandoned his food and took her hand between his and kissed her knuckles. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t.” Cora swallowed her disappointment and refused to ruin the evening Ed had prepared. “I’ve just never had choices before.”
He sat tall and proud. “I wasn’t able to give my sister choices, but I realize now that women are forced to make plans based on men’s will. If all goes as planned, I’ll send for my sister and give her a life I couldn’t before. You two will enjoy each other’s company, I’m sure.”
“I’ll treat her like a sister.” Cora longed for the company of her sisters, and surely this would fill a void in her life.
