“Say naught, lass. ’Tis a lot to digest. But I promise ye, all will work out in the end. Now, let’s go get ye something to eat. Ye’re eating for two, after all.”
She let Gunn take her hand and lead her to the kitchen.
Lizzie was in the drawing room as they passed. She jumped up from her chair where she’d been playing solitaire. “Where have ye two been?” she asked, her hands on her hips before her eyes darted from one to the other, narrowing as her suspicion grew.
Gunn turned to Jocelyn. “Mayhap ye and Lizzie have much to discuss. How about ye do that o’er food?” He smiled. “I shall contact Malcolm.”
“Why do ye need Malcolm?”
But Gunn just dipped his head and placed a soft, lingering kiss on Jocelyn’s cheek. “Eat. And I mean it.” Then he disappeared down the hall.
“What is going on?” Lizzie demanded. “Something has happened.”
Jocelyn giggled. “I have lots to tell you. Much has happened since we arrived home.”
Over tea, dried meat, cheese, and fruit, Jocelyn explained all that had transpired since they’d arrived home from the modiste. With eyes wide, Lizzie listened intently, sometimes gasping, other times clapping her hands in delight.
“Ye just wait. The ladies are going to love this story. And a bairn!” She clapped again. “Happy times indeed.”
“You don’t think it is too much? For Gunn, I mean.”
“Nay. Gunn is strong. Also, determined. When he says he’s going to do something, he will fight to the teeth to get it done.”
Jocelyn sighed in relief. With a groan, she pushed her plate away. “I cannot eat another bite.”
“Ye ken Gunn is going to be constantly feeding ye from here on out? He’ll want to ensure ye have the healthiest bairn.”
“He is very kind. I only hope I can keep it all down.” She rubbed her stomach. “This meal seems fine, but the snacks at Madame Gossard’s did not settle well.”
“Mayhap they were too rich for your stomach. When e’eryone arrives, we’ll have to discuss stomach remedies with Gwen, Clarissa, and Willamina. They’ll surely have some suggestions with dealing with that. They’ve all had at least one bairn or one on the way.” She sipped her tea and suddenly set her cup down with a clank. “Your bairn will grow up with the others. How exciting is that?”
Jocelyn wasn’t sure. She wasn’t even sure if the others would accept her. What if they thought she was taking advantage of Gunn? It was something she didn’t want to think about right now.
Setting her napkin on the table, she pushed her chair back. “It has been a long day. I think I should get some rest.”
Thanking Cook for the meal, she made her way upstairs to her room. At the top of the stairs, a man waited near her door. He was vaguely familiar. Nervously, she looked around. No one else was there.
The man approached, greeting her with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Jocelyn?” he asked.
Immediately, she didn’t trust him. When she turned to go back downstairs, he rushed forward and grabbed her roughly by the arm. Putting a finger to her lips, he willed her to be silent.
“I would like a few words before you retire for the eve.”
The hairs on her arms stood up. She remembered where she’d seen him before. It was Gunn’s business manager. Theodore. The man stealing from Gunn. Had he found out that she’d uncovered his theft?
“What is it Gunn has ye working on? I ken he gave ye employment. Doing what?”
She snatched her arm back and jutted out her chin.
“I do not believe that is any concern of yours. If you’ll excuse me.” She moved to enter her room, but he blocked the way.
“I believe I asked ye a question,” he snarled, his eyes almost black in color.
“AndIbelieve that I do not have to answer your question.”
Stalking forward, she couldn’t help but step back until she was flush against the wall.
