Tempting a Gentleman by Smith, Ann (bearly read books .txt) 📕

the Earl of Hadfield or the Head PORF, or whatever role his brother was fulfilling today. Long gone were the days where their brotherly talks consisted of which clients they should accept and who was to dine with their lonely mama. The only positive to come of Landon inheriting the Hadfield title was their mama’s reentrance to society and her reunion with friends of old. Their mama’s days were again filled with activity. Aside from conducting subtle inquires for either Theo or Landon, their mama was busy planning for the arrival of the newest member of the Neale family that Bronwyn carried. A vision of Emma round with child flashed before him. He dropped the quill to rub his temples. The glimpses into his future were rare occurrences past his eighteenth birthday, but he had learned not to ignore them. How could this be—Emma wasn’t interested in his pursuit.

Heavy footsteps came to a stop at his door. Expecting Landon to barge his way in, Christopher scanned his desk. Damnation. He crumpled the ruined case summary and skillfully launched it at the bin by the door before gathering the incomplete drawings of Emma. Sketches that had distracted him from his ever-growing pile of work. He stuffed them beneath a stack of files mere moments before the door swung open.

Focused upon the case file before him, Christopher barked, “I’m busy.”

“For the past three days, I hear. Apart from returning to your residence to change, you’ve been holed up here.”

His brother’s tone bristled Christopher’s ire. He didn’t need Landon meddling in his affairs. “Don’t you ever tire of hearing reports on how others are living their lives?”

Not bothering to remove his coat, Landon sat in the chair opposite him. “No one’s seen you eat or sleep.”

Mayhap his brother intended for this to be one of his quicker visits. Landon placed his hat and gloves upon the table and leisurely crossed his legs. Damnation! Landon clearly had no intention of leaving any time soon.

“Well, as you can see, I’m still breathing.” Christopher clenched his jaw. After his disastrous evening with Emma, even the act of filling his lungs was a task. He’d never experienced such acute pain in his chest as he had leaving Emma’s store. He had no desire to ever endure such agony again. Yet the flashes of his future continued to feature Emma.

“Then who died?”

Not who but what had died within him. Hope. Desire. Dreams of a different future. Love. The hollow feeling inside him wasn’t due to the death of any one of those things, but perhaps all of them.

Landon unfolded and leaned forward. “Brother?”

He blinked, and his brother came into focus. “Beg pardon?”

“You only ever skip a meal when someone you know has passed. So who was it? Must have been someone you deeply cared for you to forgo food for three days.” Landon’s gaze, filled with concern, tracked his movements as Christopher rested his elbows upon the desk and rubbed his aching temples.

Christopher sighed. “No one has died.” He was exhausted, and there was no point in continuing the conversation that would merely result in more hours of brooding over Emma.

“Then what is the matter?”

This wasn’t something his big brother could assist him with, and telling Landon as much would only agitate the man more. “Nothing. Don’t you have more pressing duties than harp on about my eating habits?”

Straightening and crossing his arms in front of his chest, Landon said, “Mama threatened to come down here and feed you like a babe if I didn’t resolve whatever it was that was causing your lack of self-care. Shall I inform her to proceed with her visit?”

The shiver that ran down his spine was fierce. Christopher wouldn’t put it past his mama to do such a ghastly thing. “It’s a woman.”

“It always is. Who is this woman?” Landon drummed his fingers against his upper arm. “I’m not leaving until I have a name.”

It wasn’t a threat, it was a statement, and Landon was never easily dissuaded.

“Emma.”

“My wife’s best friend. The woman you claimed was merely a friend.” Landon’s voice deepened to a bone-chilling tone. “A woman who is a key Network member under my protection.”

“Yes. Emma Lennox.”

A lesser man might have flinched at his brother's stern bark. “What happened?”

Christopher raised his head and snapped, “Nothing happened. That’s the problem. Emma wants naught to do with me.” He had been fooled by the woman’s responsive kisses. His plan to court her out of the sight of prying eyes and meddling members of family and Network had failed. But under his big brother's disconcerting gaze, he finally admitted to the heart of the matter. “All I want is to be in the same room as her.”

“Interesting. A woman who isn’t tempted by your handsome features or your charm and wit.” The corner of Landon’s mouth quirked up, revealing his blasted dimple. “Hmm…I don’t believe it. Emma is a fine judge of character. Are you sure she doesn’t return your regard?”

“How can one mistake silence? She didn’t deny that the only reason she agreed to see me was because of her blasted oath.”

Landon’s features relaxed and his eyes softened with what Christopher guessed was sympathy. “Why did you arrange the meetings with Emma?”

“Obviously to court her.”

“Why? As a means to obtain the mark?”

Christopher stared at his brother. Granted, they hadn’t been in each other’s company much these past two years, but Landon couldn’t seriously believe he would consider marrying someone he didn’t care for. Love. He stood and meandered over to the window. Since Landon brought up the topic of the mark, Christopher asked, “Do you not think me worthy to receive the mark?”

“What a preposterous statement. Of course, you are worthy. It’s just that once you receive it, your life will be forever changed.”

“No. Our lives were altered the day our cousin Baldwin died.” Christopher peered out the window. Men assigned to Landon’s protection patrolled the perimeter. He turned back to find Landon pacing. Christopher waited until his brother turned toward him