“No. He stepped out of the office for a few minutes. Would you care to sit and wait?”
“Do you know how long he will be gone?”
“He has been gone for a good thirty minutes now. I’m certain he will return momentarily.”
Inwardly, she cringed. She really didn’t want to sit in the same room with Mr. Kennedy, especially alone. But what other choice did she have?
“I suppose I can wait, but only for a moment.”
He pulled out a chair for her, and she sat. “What brings you to our office on this fine afternoon?”
“I thought to surprise my husband with a meal for lunch. The day is too lovely to be indoors.”
He smiled and nodded. “I’m certain Malcolm will be surprised. He has been moping about the office, acting as if something weighs heavily on his mind.”
She arched a brow. “Indeed? I wonder what it is.”
“I had hoped you could shed some light on the problem. Whatever it is makes him quite irritable.”
“I wish I knew.”
“I’m certain you can work your charm on him and pull him out of this mood.”
Strange, but Brandon acted differently, especially since they were alone. She’d hoped he would finally give up on the idea of their being together. “I shall certainly try.”
She stood and walked to the window. The busy street bustled with people hurrying from one shop to another. Through the crowd, she searched for Malcolm, hoping he would come quickly.
Behind her, Brandon’s footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor as he neared. His image reflected off the glass. She tightened her fingers around the basket. Heaven help her, because if he made one improper move, she would punch him in the face.
“Mrs. Worthington, I—I want to apologize for my behavior of late.”
She held her breath, surprised he would even say such a thing. She remained silent, wondering what else would come out of his mouth.
“Your beauty and charm have enchanted me, and when you stopped coming to see me, the wound left a deeper hole in my heart than I was prepared for.”
She swallowed hard and continued to look outside. “Mr. Kennedy, you must believe I’m in love with my husband. I’m a completely different person than the woman you knew.”
“That is what Malcolm says, too. Will you forgive me?” His voice was laced with sincerity.
She moved away from the window to put distance between them. “I will forgive you, Mr. Kennedy, as long as you make no more overtures toward me.”
“As you wish.”
“I think you are a nice man, and I cannot help wondering if your wife even knows this. Have you shownheryour passionate side?”
His forehead creased. “My wife and I are but strangers.”
“An arranged marriage, I presume?”
“Yes.”
She tilted her head. “But the question remains, do you love her?”
He shrugged. “We have had only one child in our five years of marriage. I fear love has not even entered our home.”
“Would you like it to?”
“I never thought about it.”
