Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman Read Online Free PDF Page B

blessing."
    "Good. Charity . . . I want to talk to you about something . . . special."
    "Special?" Charity's heart began to thud heavily.
    "It has been so long since my wife has been able to accompany me anywhere. I know my being so lonely has caused her great sorrow. I have a theater box, and Jessica has insisted I go to the play tonight. It is one I have longed to see. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me? I assure you, you will be home by midnight. It would ease Jessica's mind. I . . . I do feel uncomfortable asking you to give up your time, but"
    Charity felt the guilt and sympathy Charles had planned on. Guilt that she would refuse him a favor

    after all he had done for her and Beth, and sympathy for his worried wife.
    "I . . . I really have nothing appropriate to wear to such an affair. I'm sure I would disgrace you."
    "Hardly." Charles smiled warmly. "As for something to wear, I have been presumptuous and have bought you a gown. It's in your room on the bed."
    "Oh." Charity was still too intimidated, and much too young to cope with this situation. This man had done a great deal for both her and Beth, and she was too inexperienced to know how to handle a well-planned frontal assault.
    "Be ready by seven-thirty, and don't eat any dinner. I have arrangements made for that."
    "Yes . . . yes, sir," Charity reluctantly replied. Charles smiled again, but did not touch her as she had almost expected. She reached for resistance against something she could not quite define. It was like doing battle with cobwebs. Charles, capable seducer, knew this better than she did.
    Beth sat on the edge of the bed, nervous just because she was "above stairs" as she put it. She could tell that Charity was just as nervous as she.
    "You look so beautiful, Charity. I've never seen a gown as pretty as that. You look like such a grand lady."
    "But I'm not a grand lady. I'm just Mrs. Brentwood's maid."
    "Why are you so upset? This is a chance to wear beautiful clothes, to see a play and go to a fancy dinner. A chance like this might never come along again.

    You're lucky to get such an opportunity.''
    Charity looked at her reflection in the mirror. Beth was right, the gown was exquisite. It was like burnished gold and cut daringly low with several layers of fine lace bordering the edge which draped enticingly over the soft rise of her breasts. The waist was so fitted that the full skirt made her look even slimmer than she was. Her pale blond hair had been dressed carefully by Beth, who had a delicate touch for such a thing. It was a mass of ringlets and curls that framed her face and hung to her waist with fine, burnished gold ribbons woven thought it. Her eyes seemed wider than usual, and she knew they reflected in their emerald depths the unnameable fear she could not seem to control.
    "I'm not sure whose opportunity it is," Charity muttered, more to herself than Beth.
    "Charity, what harm can there be in enjoying an evening? Perhaps you misread him and he's just trying to be generous."
    Charity remained quiet, but inwardly she held deep reservations about this evening's affair. She didn't feel comfortable. The world was not black and white, there were shades of gray in between.
    "Perhaps he is," she replied. She watched Beth smile in relief. But still a nagging wariness plagued her. She meant to be very cautious, because she knew quite well there was no one to turn to. Who would believe her against the word of a man with Charles Brentwood's reputation?
    "The dress is beautiful, Beth, and I do appreciate it

    and Mr. Brentwood's generosity. I guess I am just a bit nervous."
    "You needn't be. You look every bit the lady, and you're such a fine actress. I've seen you mimic Mr. Brentwood's guests, you're really good. With that ability none of those well-bred ladies will think you're anything else but one of them. Remember the night you pretended to be Mrs. Devers? Cook is still laughing. You'll be just fine tonight. You'll have