A lump lodged in her throat, making it difficult to speak. They were getting to the heart of things rather quickly. She swallowed down her pain, and plastered another bright, fake smile on her face. “I did something I shouldn’t have.”
Fiona nodded, her eyes attentively watching Gemma. “I don’t want to make him angry. Do you think if we are very good, he won’t send us away?” she asked with a wavering voice.
Her heart twisted painfully. “I don’t know. But I do know that he seems like a good man. Don’t think about that right now.” She reached out and held Fiona’s hand. “How did you end up here anyway?”
Fiona shrugged. “My father got sick and died. When my mother got sick too, she sent us to St. Mary’s but she said it was just for a little while and then she’d come for us. She never did.” There were tears in Fiona’s eyes and Gemma didn’t know what else to do besides hold her free arm out to the girl. She climbed into Gemma’s lap as though desperate for the comfort and Gemma sat holding them both. She understood their need. She’d felt it too, only she was an adult and so much more capable then them.
A noise just outside the door alerted her that they were not alone. She looked up to see William watching them.
Butterflies danced in her stomach. He could have sent these children back to the orphanage. It had been within his rights, to send her to the hangman. Yet here they sat in a warm room with William Sinclair using the debt she owed him to take care of two children who were not his own. Was there a better man in all of Scotland?
Leave it to her to steal from the one good man she’d ever met.
“I found yer clothes,” he said as he stepped into the room, her dress neatly folded over one arm as he carried a tray filled with food. “And I brought the three of ye some lunch. It isn’t much but it will have tae do.” He cleared his throat. “There’s a small table in the nursery. Why don’t I take the children there while ye dress? It’s the room next to this on the left.”
She nodded as Fiona reluctantly climbed from her lap. Then she set Ewan on the floor. Fiona took his hand and together they followed William out of the room.
Standing, she began to dress. She had her clothes, she was alone. Who was to stop her from just walking out the door? Granted, if she were caught, she might hang. To her surprise, that possibility wasn’t why she wanted to stay. Those children needed William’s help and so she would aid him.
She’d find a way to settle her past at some point. She still had at least a month, hopefully more. She had to collect that inheritance, though. It was the only way she’d make it home. More importantly, that money would help to reconcile all that had happened in her marriage.
After stepping out into the hall, she easily found the nursery when she heard the children talking. There were no toys, but there were two small beds with cozy blankets upon them. A table was set up in one corner and Fiona sat eating stew while William held Ewan in his lap feeding the child. The entire scene looked completely natural and Gemma found herself moving closer, unable to resist.
Her hand pressed to her stomach as she attempted to control the heat building there. She shouldn’t want this man but every time she looked at him, the feelings grew stronger. “You say these children only arrived yesterday?” she asked as she crossed the room. “You seem very comfortable with them.”
“I’m in the middle of six children. My sister, Delia, is only a few years older than Fiona and my brother Stone is having babies like some people plant crops. One after the other,” he said smiling. “I’ve spent most of my life around little ones.”
She fought the urge to giggle. When was the last time she’d laughed? She nodded. “No wonder you’ve sympathy for their plight.”
William grimaced, his mouth pulling down. “I do. I also have two older brothers who’ve made it their mission to not only be successful but to do so in a way that benefits everyone around them.” He shrugged. “I don’t know that I’ll ever live up to what they’ve accomplished.”
She blinked a few times, trying to understand that. He, of all people, was worried about not being good enough? How could that be?
Chapter Five
Why had he just bloody said that? William didn’t need to confess the fact that he felt inferior to Blair and Stone. In fact, he
shouldn’t show such weakness to a woman who had tricked him and then stolen his most prized possession.
What was wrong with him?
He knew, though. He’d seen her holding the children, comforting them, and his feelings had shifted. There was no doubt he was attracted to her. Had been from the moment he’d laid eyes on her. Watching her with Fiona and Ewan…he’d admired her as well.
He straightened his shoulders, drawing himself up. Will could not allow her to weasel under his defenses again. She was dangerous, she’d proven that fact already, and he could not forget it.
She came to sit down in the empty chair and fixed her gaze on the soup.
Without asking, he set a bowl in front of her and filled it to the top.
Mrs. Cleary had taken her clothes. When she’d handed them back, she’d muttered, “She does a fine job of pressing them but these clothes are threadbare and that woman is thin as a rail.”
If Mrs. Cleary was worried for someone, it must be serious. Also, he wasn’t sure when Mrs. Cleary had grown so chatty but he wished she’d return to her silent disapproval.
Looking at Gemma now, he could see his housekeeper had been correct and he understood why Gemma had fainted. He hadn’t noticed on their first meeting but her cheeks held large hollows and even her hands appeared thin.
Will rubbed the back of his neck as he had another twinge of guilt. He’d blackmailed her into staying when she’d likely stolen out or necessity, but at least he could console himself that he’d keep her well-fed. That didn’t abate the guilt entirely. Stone would never force a woman to do anything and would disapprove of Will’s decision to use her plight to get free labor.
She stared down at the beef stew, her jaw working. “It smells delicious.”