Melanie released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding when Jordan relaxed into her. “You know I could never belong to just one man.” She fibbed.
“That’s why I adore you, because we understand one another, because you know I could never belong to just one woman.”
Melanie smiled despite her irritation, if Jordan was anything it was honest, he was telling the truth.
Downstairs Amelia cursed the weather along with the rest of the house as she tossed and turned in the small bed. It was in the middle of January but yet and still she could have sworn they had entered summer months. Throwing back the worn sheet and pillow she was determined to get to sleep.
Closing her eyes Amelia found that far too easily her mind found its way to her employer Jordan. She’d been nervous and jittery ever since he’d come home. She couldn’t count how many glasses and vases she’d broken when he was around. He no doubt thought she was worthless as a maid and cook and would let her go soon enough if she didn’t manage to pull herself together.
The problem of course was that she just couldn’t function when he was anywhere near. It was as if her whole body shut down and the only thing that was still going was her heart, and even it could do nothing more than pound wildly in her chest.
Cursing herself she rolled over once again. She would just have to stay away from the man as much as possible. She needed to focus on her own man. Things had been rocky between Morgan and herself. Most of the troubles they had were her fault. Sometimes she just wanted to scream at the man. Others she just refused to let him touch her, not even hold her hand. Of course that only led to yelling on his part and bruises for herself.
That would have to change, she needed to commit to the idea of being a wife because she was going to marry Morgan and become Mrs. Morgan Hanson sooner rather than later, even if she’d give her left arm if it were later. Frustrated with the heat and her life Amelia pounded her pillow. “Damn it’s burning up.” She swore.
Rising from her bed and draping an old quilt about her shoulders Amelia crept quietly into the long hall. Only halfway down, the sound of footsteps met her ears. Conflicted between pressing on and turning about to seek better attire for her endeavor the latter won as Amelia turned around not willing to take the risk—what if it was Mr. Bradford, she didn’t want him to see her like this, not when she was wandering his house in her nightdress and a blanket.
He’d surely let her go. What would he think of her? Upon hearing humming and recognizing the voice Amelia was relieved to find it was no more than Vivian.
“This balminess must be getting to you too?
Vivian felt her hand fly over her chest on its own accord. “Goodness sweetheart what are you trying to do, scare me half to death?”
“Sorry”
“It’s alright.” Vivian took in a settling breath
“I was a little scared to; I thought you were Mr. Bradford.”
“Mr. Bradford is otherwise engaged this evening.” Vivian felt her cheeks warm at her words.
“At this hour, poor man should really try to rest.” Amelia thought aloud
“Don’t be dense” Vivian scolded while at the same time smothering a laugh soon after at the realization the younger woman truly didn’t catch her meaning. “Amelia think about it.” She prompted and soon Amelia too was flushed.
“Oh!” Amelia yelped.
“I hope your face changes back to its regular color you’ll get quite a few stares if it stays that red.”
Amelia felt a strange combination of distaste, curiosity, and jealousy all in one at the revelation. She wanted to be rid of them. “Are you going to head back to bed.”
“I doubt it will be possible in this heat. Are you alright?” Vivian questioned running her hand through her pale tresses.
“Yes, it’s just I’m not sleepy in the least.” Amelia confessed.
“Let’s stay up for a spell then. Come on with me.”
“That’s why I adore you, because we understand one another, because you know I could never belong to just one woman.”
Melanie smiled despite her irritation, if Jordan was anything it was honest, he was telling the truth.
Downstairs Amelia cursed the weather along with the rest of the house as she tossed and turned in the small bed. It was in the middle of January but yet and still she could have sworn they had entered summer months. Throwing back the worn sheet and pillow she was determined to get to sleep.
Closing her eyes Amelia found that far too easily her mind found its way to her employer Jordan. She’d been nervous and jittery ever since he’d come home. She couldn’t count how many glasses and vases she’d broken when he was around. He no doubt thought she was worthless as a maid and cook and would let her go soon enough if she didn’t manage to pull herself together.
The problem of course was that she just couldn’t function when he was anywhere near. It was as if her whole body shut down and the only thing that was still going was her heart, and even it could do nothing more than pound wildly in her chest.
Cursing herself she rolled over once again. She would just have to stay away from the man as much as possible. She needed to focus on her own man. Things had been rocky between Morgan and herself. Most of the troubles they had were her fault. Sometimes she just wanted to scream at the man. Others she just refused to let him touch her, not even hold her hand. Of course that only led to yelling on his part and bruises for herself.
That would have to change, she needed to commit to the idea of being a wife because she was going to marry Morgan and become Mrs. Morgan Hanson sooner rather than later, even if she’d give her left arm if it were later. Frustrated with the heat and her life Amelia pounded her pillow. “Damn it’s burning up.” She swore.
Rising from her bed and draping an old quilt about her shoulders Amelia crept quietly into the long hall. Only halfway down, the sound of footsteps met her ears. Conflicted between pressing on and turning about to seek better attire for her endeavor the latter won as Amelia turned around not willing to take the risk—what if it was Mr. Bradford, she didn’t want him to see her like this, not when she was wandering his house in her nightdress and a blanket.
He’d surely let her go. What would he think of her? Upon hearing humming and recognizing the voice Amelia was relieved to find it was no more than Vivian.
“This balminess must be getting to you too?
Vivian felt her hand fly over her chest on its own accord. “Goodness sweetheart what are you trying to do, scare me half to death?”
“Sorry”
“It’s alright.” Vivian took in a settling breath
“I was a little scared to; I thought you were Mr. Bradford.”
“Mr. Bradford is otherwise engaged this evening.” Vivian felt her cheeks warm at her words.
“At this hour, poor man should really try to rest.” Amelia thought aloud
“Don’t be dense” Vivian scolded while at the same time smothering a laugh soon after at the realization the younger woman truly didn’t catch her meaning. “Amelia think about it.” She prompted and soon Amelia too was flushed.
“Oh!” Amelia yelped.
“I hope your face changes back to its regular color you’ll get quite a few stares if it stays that red.”
Amelia felt a strange combination of distaste, curiosity, and jealousy all in one at the revelation. She wanted to be rid of them. “Are you going to head back to bed.”
“I doubt it will be possible in this heat. Are you alright?” Vivian questioned running her hand through her pale tresses.
“Yes, it’s just I’m not sleepy in the least.” Amelia confessed.
“Let’s stay up for a spell then. Come on with me.”
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