Thomas held her gaze, and she felt color rise to her cheeks. She hadn’t beenthatclear. In fact, she’d allowed him to kiss her.
She might even have kissed him back.
She cleared her throat, tossed back her hair, and forced herself to hold his gaze. “I cannae go with ye. Delphine wouldnae let me.”
Ah, that was inspired. Thomas might run roughshod over Emma’s excuses, but would he defy Delphine? Probably not.
He frowned, pursing his lips. “Hmm. So, if I could get Delphine to agree, ye would come with me?”
Emma hesitated, wavering. This felt like a trap. If she saidyes, and Delphine did agree, she would have to go.
But Delphine wouldn’t agree. Emma was sure of that.
“Fine,” she muttered, shrugging. “But she’ll nae agree, I ken that.”
“We have a deal, then,” Thomas said, grinning.
He had teeth that were just a little too pointed, giving him that oddly vulpine look, which made her heart pound faster than it should.
“Now, if ye don’t mind, I have work to do,” Emma said briskly, dusting her hands together, even though there was no more powder on them. “I’m sure a laird like ye is very busy…”
Then, the door opened, and Delphine walked in. Emma’s heart sank, and she could have cursed aloud.
“Oh, Thomas, ye are here,” Delphine said, mildly surprised.
“The nettle stings.” Thomas raised his slimy arm by way of explanation. “I am glad ye are here, Delphine. I have a favor to ask.”
“Oh, aye?”
Emma swallowed hard, widening her eyes at Delphine. Hopefully, her facial expression would convey that she did not want to go to this event.
Unfortunately, Delphine’s eyesight was not what it had been, and it was likely that she could not see Emma’s face from this distance.
“I am invited to a small family event at the Sinner,” Thomas explained. “Ye know the place. Colby, Veronica, and Dominic are expecting me.”
“Aye, I know them. What of it?”
“Well, I would like to bring Emma along. As my guest. She seems tired and overworked, and I thought a good night out would refresh her.”
Curse the man.
Emma felt a mix of irritation and admiration. It was as if he’d known exactly what might sway Delphine. She could already see her mentor wavering, worries flashing up behind her eyes.
“Well, the lass has worked very hard lately. She was tired this morning, too tired to do her morning chores. And that’s nae like Emma at all, mind ye,” Delphine admitted, chewing on her lip. “The Sinnerisnae a bad place. And I can assume, Me Laird, that she would be entirely safe with ye, andfromye, aye?”
“Of course,” Thomas assured her. “Ye have me solemn word, Delphine. I have never lied to ye.”
“No, ye certainly havenae,” Delphine said, looking reassured. “Well, then, ye can have my permission. Emma, ye can go with the Laird to this… whatever it is. Enjoy yer night off, and don’t think of waking early the next morning, aye? Ye have earned this.”
Emma wanted to scream. But there was also a tiny flare of excitement, deep inside, something hidden and almost shameful.
Might it be entertaining? For all Thomas was a wild rake, he was also said to be good company. He wasfun.
Either way, it would make a pleasant change from digging through wet earth and thorny bushes to harvest endless herbs. So, Emma only sighed, rolled her eyes, and nodded.
“Fine. I will go with ye.”
Thomas gave a crow of triumph. “Ye willnae regret it, lassie. Now, as to yer gown—”
