Read Online Love in the Balance by Regina Jennings - Free Book Online

errant hatpin, Molly cocked an eyebrow. “Like this hovel? Where would the maid sleep?”
    “We wouldn’t want a maid, not when it could be just the two of us. Alone. Real cozy like.” He didn’t come any closer, but his voice reached out to her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
    “You should see the kitchen,” he continued. “It’s the perfect size—everything at your fingertips. No hollering across a giant dining room. And for this parlor we could drop a nice sofa right here in front of the fireplace. Wouldn’t that be perfect for days like today? Cuddling under a quilt until one of us decided it was time for bed.”
    True, the room did have nice trim and a pretty fireplace. A few simple pieces of furniture would finish it off. Medallion backed or cherub? While Molly couldn’t decide which sofa would best enhance the space, she could clearly imagine herself pulled up against Bailey’s chest, her feet tucked under a blanket, watching the fire spark and dance. To have the privacy the little house afforded seemed a dream. Surely even she could manage to keep a few rooms clean without a maid. So caught was Molly by the possibilities that she didn’t realize she was alone until she heard a noise in the hall.
    ———
    What was he thinking? Bailey wandered into a deserted room and made his way to the window overlooking the ramshackle yard. Daylight had all but disappeared and with it his good sense. Nothing about this house would appeal to her. He’d have to do better before he could make an offer. And why had he even mentioned the bailiff job to her before he’d checked it out? Another missed opportunity. Another reason for her to doubt him.
    Maybe he could find a job in sales. His pa always said he could talk a fish out of water. Something with commission would be good.
    “What would you put in this room?”
    The twilight lit the room enough to see her in the doorway, and he had to look. Could it be that Molly still had hope for him? Could she truly be satisfied with something so humble?
    “It’s the bedroom.” He stepped out of the way to allow her in, the darkness amplifying the scent of her lilac fragrance. Her skirt brushed against him as she turned.
    “A large wardrobe would fit in here. Mother always said my clothes needed a room of their own, but this is spacious enough. Where would you put the bed?”
    He gritted his teeth. Why had God cursed him with a conscience? They were alone. At dusk. Any other red-blooded man wouldn’t hesitate, but he’d given his word. Whether she appreciated the sacrifice he was making or not, Molly was off limits.
    Ignoring her question he trudged out of the house. Keeping your convictions had to be easier around homely women.
    “Don’t leave me in here.” Molly ran to the front door and skidded to a stop when she saw him. Worry filled her blue eyes. “Are you angry?”
    “Yes, but not at you. Come on. This is no place for us to linger.”
    She still cared. That much was obvious, but he couldn’t do anything about it. Not yet. And he was no closer than he’d been a month ago.

5
To Do List:
     
     
Convince Mr. Fenton to let me peruse Father’s account book at the bank.
Buy powder to cover nasty scratch on my neck.
Return the stranger’s wallet.
    With her hands on her hips Molly surveyed the articles of clothing strewn across her sunny room at Mrs. Truman’s boardinghouse. Tidying her wardrobe didn’t suit her mood this fine Saturday morning. If she had an excuse to gad about town, she’d use it, but the bank was closed, and without getting some allowance from her father, a trip to the emporium was pointless.
    That left a call at the McCulloch Hotel as her only option.
    Between inquiring after available positions for Bailey and mentally arranging furnishings for a cottage, Molly had completely forgotten the wallet and bills drying on her towel rack, but now that she thought about it, a trip to the McCulloch Hotel seemed horribly inappropriate. What