Cinders and Ashes Read Online Free PDF

back to her question, he generously ignored the fact
she had carefully skirted around his question. “I can remember bits
and bobs, but nothing that makes any sense. It was raining and
dark, and I was in a carriage but apart from that-.” He shook his
head and winced as the throbbing in his temples
increased.
    “ You need to rest. I am sure your memory will return in good
time.” Amelia settled down in the old chair she had tugged before
the fire, and dragged a large basket of mending toward her. With
the adventures of the previous night, she had not had the time to
do the mending for the main house.
    Although
the pay was little, the pennies were a boon to her meagre finances.
She knew Sir Hubert paid her as much as he could afford, but she
was aware her wages fell far below those of other housekeepers. Yet
she liked Hubert. He had been kind and considerate; giving her a
chance when nobody else could. She was grateful he had given her a
job at all. With no references, he could have easily turned her out
without bothering to speak to her. Instead, he had accepted her
honest explanation of her circumstance, and hired her on the
spot.
    Amelia
traded part of the wages she knew he couldn’t afford to pay her,
for rental of the cottage. She had stayed in the housekeeper’s
quarters of his small manor house briefly while she made the small
cottage habitable. She didn’t mind its dilapidated state. She
gained a home of her own, and a small measure of pride in the
knowledge that despite the odds being stacked against her, she was
able to look after herself.
    “ Amelia?”
    Amelia
snapped out of her silent reverie, and glanced at her house
guest.
    “ I’m sorry, did you say something?” Amelia was half out of her
seat when she was waved back down.
    “ It’s just that I have, erm, pressing needs.” Sebastian
paused, wondering if she would understand.
    Amelia
frowned in consternation. Pressing needs? Oh! She couldn’t prevent
the blush that stole through her cheeks when his meaning dawned on
her. With an uncomfortable cough, she lunged out of her chair and
hurried behind the retiring screen, emerging moments later with a
thankfully empty pot. Placing it down beside the bed, she frowned
in consternation at the next problem.
    “ Er-.” She eyed the empty receptacle warily, her cheeks fiery
red.
    “ I can manage by myself, thank you.” Sebastian’s crisp
declaration brooked no argument.
    “ Will you be alright to sit up by yourself?” She waved her
hand vaguely towards his ribs, watching his wince as he tried to
sit. Clearly he was in considerable pain.
    “ Hold the sheet,” she ordered, as she moved forward to help.
As soon as her hands touched his warm flesh, her treacherous body
began to respond. It took every ounce of self preservation she had
to ignore the delicious lemony scent that seemed to ooze from him.
She stared blankly at the wall and tried to ignore the urge to turn
her head and kiss his bristly cheek.
    Well really! She silently chastised
herself, frowning when she felt his ribs shake slightly.
    She
stood up and looked down at him. Immediately her gaze was caught
and held by his smiling blue eyes. She knew he was aware of her
discomfort and was grateful when he simply smiled at her in
sympathetic amusement.
    Sebastian wished his brain was working well enough to offer
some smooth repartee, and wisely kept his mouth shut. Instead he
nodded his thanks with a soft smile as he assumed a seated position
directly above the chamber pot.
    “ I’ve got to get some more wood in. I’ll be back soon.” She
turned away quickly, missing the dark scowl that immediately fell
over Sebastian’s face at her announcement.
    Hurrying
to the door, she snatched her cloak from the table on the way,
wincing as she tugged the damp material around her. Within moments,
she was standing outside in the pouring rain again, waiting for her
heart to slow to its normal pace.
    You’re a fool Amelia, he isn’t for you , she chastised