7. A Tryst Continues
CHAPTER 7
A TRYST CONTINUES
M eanwhile, in a third story room at the DeSoto House Hotel
“Whatever are you doing over there?” Emma asked, sitting up from the bed where she had been dozing most of the afternoon. The remains of a rather large luncheon were scattered about the counterpane of the bed. The cat, Admiral, had disappeared beneath the bed some time ago, his “ yowl ” loud when Robert initiated their second round of lovemaking.
“Just ensuring our daughter makes it home all right,” Robert said, pushing the drapes back into place before he moved to the side of the bed. He doffed the dressing gown he had put on at six o’clock, expecting he would have to wait some time before John O’Connor appeared below, driving a cart of some sort. Seeing a phaeton rather than a simple dog cart pull up in front of the hotel had surprised him. He was even more surprised when he spotted John escorting Ella Mae to it and then lifting her onto it. From his vantage, he couldn’t tell if she was angry with the stablehand or if she appreciated his help.
If she was angry, he hoped she might forgive John O’Connor. The young man had been through enough in his life. Few in town knew what Robert knew—that John had left with the first group of young men to fight for the North in the war. That he had watched friends die before his eyes and then suffered a wound of his own when a gun misfired. Although the Army doctor had claimed he would never have use of his eye again, the local physician had other ideas. Time is your friend, young man , he had said, although he didn’t make any promises.
“I meant to ask how our children were to get home today,” Emma commented. “You’ve had my entire attention all day.”
Robert grinned. “Then my evil plan has worked,” he replied in a deep voice, attempting a guttural laugh that merely sounded comical.
His antics were answered with an odd howling sound.
“What was that ?” Emma asked, pulling the bed covers up to her neck.
“Probably a ghost,” he said, grinning at seeing how she cowered.
The howl sounded again, and he frowned. “Admiral, stop your yowling,” he ordered. He disappeared from Emma’s view for a moment, crouching on his hands and knees to peer under the bed.
A moment later, the large creature emerged from beneath a nearby chair, looking ever so proud of himself. “ Meow .”
“You scared Emma half to death,” he accused.
Admiral gave him what he surmised was an expression of offense before he rolled himself into a ball then stretched out on the floor. Robert could practically feel the vibrations from his purring through the floorboards.
“Yes, do make yourself comfortable,” he murmured dryly.
Admiral narrowed his eyes before his head dropped to the floor.
Deciding he wasn’t in the way, Robert rose from the floor and returned to the side of the bed. Removing the remains of their luncheon plate by plate, he regarded Emma with darkened eyes. “Now that we know most of the family is safe and sound…” He glanced back at the cat and arched a brow. Although Admiral opened his eyes and seemed intent on listening to his words, he didn’t seem motivated to move. “…I do believe it’s time I give you some more attention, my lady,” Robert finished, doffing his robe before he climbed onto the bed.
Emma tittered. “I’ll take all I can get.”
It was nearly ten o’clock the following morning before they quietly checked out of the hotel. They took the back exit, where, thanks to prior arrangements having been made with John O’Connor, their curricle and horse were waiting.