An Improper Situation (Sanborn-Malloy Historical Romance Series, Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page B

enthusiasm. It was perfectly fair that she do something for benefiting from the delicious food and she told him so. He gave her a genuine smile and she though it quite effective at making the heat rise in her cheeks.
    She shook her head and turned to the sudsy water, hearing him take a seat at the kitchen table. All her nerve endings seemed acutely aware of his presence behind her, making her all-overish again.
    “Where are the children?” she asked into the silence, hearing him pour himself a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
    “ In your parlor, reading. I’ve started a fire.”
    “ Reading?” Charlotte echoed, somewhat surprised. She went on scrubbing thoughtfully.
    “ Yes, Miss Sanborn, they do read. At least Lily reads and Thomas follows along. Though they’re not yet ready for your articles.”
    “ Speaking of which,” she said, suddenly feeling hurried, “I’d better get to it or my editor’s going to have something highly disagreeable to say to me at the end of the week.” She rinsed off the last dish and stood it on the counter with the rest before reaching for a towel.
    “ Here, I’ll dry,” Reed offered, smoothly taking the towel from her grasp, their fingers touching for the briefest second. She looked up into his face, startled by the energy in this one man, not only glittering in the depths of his blue eyes but almost—she would swear it was true—sparking off his fingertips where they touched her. Charlotte moved away quickly.
    “ Pour yourself some coffee,” Reed suggested, picking up the first dish, “and tell me about your work before you go.”
    He propped his lean hips against the counter and began to rub the plate with the small white tea towel. For the first time that Charlotte could remember, instead of feeling sure about her ability and proud to discuss her work, she felt awkward. All she knew was that she didn’t want to appear foolish in front of this man who was obviously interested and waiting.
    She dropped her eyes from his, grabbed herself a mug, and poured a steaming cupful. “Hmm, chicory,” she said as the coffee’s aroma reached her nostrils. He nodded.
    “ Well, the story as I know it and as I’m telling it is that the farmers’ small gatherings are becoming larger and more political. Are you aware of the Grange, Mr. Malloy?”
    “ I’ve heard of it, The Patrons of Husbandry, but they’re not exactly active in the heart of Boston.”
    “ No, I don’t suppose they are, but they might just start to make their impact felt as far as your fair city. They seem to be gaining power in regulating railroad rates, and it is my opinion that it’s about time. After all, you, in the east, need their crops; they need to get them to you; the railroad needs to survive but by fair rates, not by gouging and abusing the farmers.”
    Charlotte went on reeling off facts and figures until Reed had finished all the drying. He had the grace to look impressed and Charlotte realized she was still standing by the door.
    “I hope you won’t think it rude if I close the study door again. I’ll leave you to see to Lily and Thomas,” she added.
    “ We won’t disturb you anymore tonight.” It didn’t sound to her as if there was any condemnation in his words.
    “ Well, then, Mr. Malloy, I’ll bid you goodnight. Thank you for the fine meal, and for the coffee,” she saluted him with her mug.
    “ Anytime, lady writer,” she heard him murmur as she left the room. She should be annoyed, but, in truth, she felt a little thrill run through her at his words. From someone else, she would think them patronizing, but Reed Malloy seemed to offer them as a genuine tribute.
    As she settled in behind her desk, Charlotte mused on the fact that the warmth she felt was not just from the coffee. It came as well from the innate feeling of peace and security of having another living being—three of them—in the house with her.
    She had missed this feeling when Thaddeus left and then forgotten it, but