Passionate Secrets (The Secrets Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

location of her family’s flat, it seemed they were in dire need of income. The neighborhood was rough, many of the residents one step away from a workhouse.
    “If it’s money you need—”
    Her pale cheeks flushed as the spark returned to her eyes. “I did not come here to beg for money.”
    He held up his hand, amazed at her prickliness. “I’m well aware of that. You came here to call in a nonexistent debt.” He couldn’t help but remind her of the small deceit.
    Her gaze dropped at his rebuke. “I only—”
    “May I make some inquiries to see if any of my acquaintances are in need of a governess?” This was the perfect excuse for him to keep an eye on her and contact her again. He told himself he needed to remain in touch for no other reason than to see exactly what she and her uncle were up to.
    “That is kind of you. Thank you.” Her expression held little hope that he’d come through with his offer.
    Had so many let her down that she no longer took people at their word? It seemed he’d struck upon one thing they had in common.
    “I’m sorry to have bothered you,” she said.
    For one brief moment, those large brown eyes looked up at him, holding him with their intensity. Everything else fell away as he held her gaze. His breath caught as awareness sizzled through him like an electric current.
    Her lips parted as she gave a tiny gasp before dropping his gaze, the glare of spectacles preventing him from seeing her eyes. “I must be on my way,” she mumbled and spun away.
    “Wait!” He had the strangest urge to keep her with him, to see where that sizzle might lead.
    She paused in the doorway but didn’t look at him. “Yes?”
    He gave himself a mental shake. What on earth was wrong with him? He was allowing memories of better times to affect his thinking. She might be concocting some scheme with her uncle at this very moment.
    “How will I reach you if I find a suitable position?” he asked, wondering if she’d tell him the truth.
    Still, she didn’t look at him. “I’ll leave my address with your butler.” Then she closed the door behind her.
    He stood there until he heard the front door shut then walked to the window where he watched her hurry away as though hounds snapped at her heels.
    Surely it was only simple curiosity that caught his interest.
     
    ~*~
     
    Emma stabbed at the broadcloth with her needle, wishing she had a better outlet for her frustration.
    “Dear, perhaps you should allow me to finish that.” Her mother’s soft words made her feel even worse.
    She closed her eyes, attempting to calm her roiling emotions. What she really wanted to do was throw herself on her bed and have a good cry. But with no bed to call her own, she couldn’t even have that small indulgence. Instead, she sat in the meager light of the window, trying to assist her mother with the pile of mending she’d taken in. Every pence they gained was precious right now.
    “I’m sorry. I suppose I’m more disappointed that I didn’t obtain the position than I realized,” she murmured. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she ripped out the uneven stitches in the seam of the jacket determined to try again.
    “Well, of course you are,” her mother said in a no-nonsense voice. “Who wouldn’t be? The trick is to cast your thoughts toward your next endeavor.”
    Emma knew she treaded a fine line between being truthful to both herself and her family about their situation and hopeful that everything would work out. She studied her mother’s calm countenance. Did she know Tessa was coughing up blood? Emma knew Tessa would make every effort to hide it from their mother. Even as she opened her mouth to ask, a soft moan from the bedroom caught her attention.
    Her mother’s worried gaze slid to hers. Emma ventured to guess that at the very least, she knew Tessa’s condition was worsening.
    Emma set aside her mending and rushed into the bedroom. “Tessa?”
    Her sister lay on her side and opened weary eyes