Why she’d allowed him to kiss her when she was a married woman.
“Tomorrow you go to the dressmaker.” The familiarity of his voice soothed her, giving her courage.
“Yes.” She wiped her cheeks. “You’ve been watching me.”
“For two weeks.”
He moved to the other end of the counter, flipping thr
ough men’s handkerchiefs. “Do you trust your dressmaker? Would she help you?”
“Millie is my only friend in Galveston. My only ‘real’ friend, that is.” She hesitated. “I think she would.”
From the corner of her eye she caught his brief nod. “There is a back door to the dressmaker’s shop. After about ten minutes slip out the back and I’ll meet you.”
Before she could say yay or nay he was gone. She looked up from the lotions she’d been studying, and the space where he’d stood was empty. Frantically, she moved her head in every direction, but he’d disappeared. Leaving her wondering if her mind had snapped and she’d imagined the entire encounter.
Fear and excitement warred within her. If Louis caught her with Hunter she would pay with another beating. And she wouldn’t put it past her husband to shoot Hunter on the spot and claim he was protecting his wife. He would probably get away with it, too.
No longer interested in shopping, she left the store and surprised Martin by opening the automobile door and climbing in before he could assist her.
His head snapped around. “Finished so soon, Mrs. Smith?”
“Yes. I feel a slight headache coming on.”
Martin tugged on his cap and started up the vehicle.
The next day Emily placed her hand on her stomach to quell the butterflies that had taken up residence since she’d arisen. She checked the white china clock with the pale roses painted on it again. In two hours she would be face-to-face with Hunter, and no one watching. What would he say? Was he angry? Happy to see her? Disgusted with her subterfuge?
“You seem quite cheerful today, Mrs. Smith.” Maria fastened the frogs on Emily’s jacket and smoothed the material. “It is good to see you happy.”
“I am looking forward to my visit to the dressmaker.” She had better subdue her excitement. If Maria decided to report to Louis that his wife was happy for a change he might find some way to make her miserable again.
“The air has a bit of a nip in it today, perhaps you might consider bringing a shawl.” Maria reached for the brush on the vanity table as Emily settled in front of the mirror.
Emily was too distracted to worry about nips in the air and shawls. Soon she was going to see Hunter! She fought to keep the grin from her face as Maria brushed, then twisted her mass of hair into a neat bun at the back of her head. One more glance at the clock told her another ten minutes had passed since last she’d checked.
Finally Maria finished fussing with her. Emily grabbed the shawl her maid had insisted upon and left the room. Breakfast smells greeted her as she turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs and headed to the breakfast room. Food held no appeal, but not wanting to deviate from her normal routine, she continued on down to the brightly lit room.
It appeared Louis had already had his breakfast, leaving her feeling weak with relief. He watched her too closely and if she gave anything away, he would certainly pounce on it.
“Mrs. Smith, Cook will send in hot food for you, if you will take your seat.”
“Thank you, Malcom, but I feel a bit of digestion upset this morning, so I’ll just take a cup of tea. And maybe some toast.” She would force it down just in case Louis heard from Cook that she’d passed on breakfast. Such a strain living like this. Always being careful what she said, what she did. Who was watching.
As the butler deposited the pot of tea and toast in front of her, he said, “Mr. Smith requests your presence in the library when you are finished.”
Her stomach tightened with fear. Had he discovered her assignation? After only a bite or two, she pushed the plate away and took a sip of tea. No point in putting off the interview.
Louis sat at his desk, head down, as he wrote in a ledger.
“You wished to speak with me?”
He carefully placed the pen in the holder and leaned back, running a cool glance over her. “Yes.”
She waited patiently, knowing how much he loved to raise the tension when he dealt with her.
“What are your plans for today?”