Love on Assignment

by Cara Lynn James

  Daniel wouldn’t compromise his principles and neither would she.

  Anxiety filled her chest as the gig rolled past the estates along Ocean Drive and neared town. She halted in front of the newspaper office and inhaled a deep breath of sea air that tasted dank and briny. “I’ll be right back, old girl,” she murmured to the horse. The mare snorted and stamped her foot. Charlotte fed her a sugar cube and patted her head. “Wish me well.”

  Charlotte entered the building and slowly climbed the steps to the second floor. Before she reached the landing, her legs weakened and threatened to let her fall. She gripped the stair rail and slowly made her way up the steep flight. Her boots felt as heavy as concrete. When she finally reached the door of the Rhode Island Reporter, she squared her hunched shoulders and marched into the newsroom, feigning bravado.

  A few of the news reporters nodded, then continued their work. Smiling in reply, she strode toward her boss’s office. She rapped twice on Mr. Phifer’s closed door and waited.

  No response. She raised her hand to knock again when a shout blasted through the door. “Come in.”

  Delaying the inevitable was pointless. After a moment’s hesitation, Charlotte pulled the door open and stepped into the editor’s inner sanctum. When she noted his belligerent glare, her heart crashed against her ribcage. He sat at his desk, pipe in hand.

  “You thwarted my plan for placing Miss Wengle with the Wilmonts. I don’t appreciate your insubordination, Miss Hale.”

  “Sir, Professor Wilmont is an upstanding citizen, and the only way Edith Ann will find something against him will be by conjuring up false evidence.” She shook her head. “It is just not right.”

  “It is out of your hands, Miss Hale. My decision has been made.” He glared for several seconds before his expression unexpectedly softened. “Listen, if you leave Summerhill without a fuss, I’ll allow you to resume your old position. You gave it a shot, but you came up dry.” Then his eyes steeled. “But I will not tolerate an ounce more of your disobedience. Do you understand, Miss Hale?”

  Air rushed back into Charlotte’s lungs. Despite all her fears, she was still employed at the Rhode Island Reporter. She could scarcely believe her ears. All she had to do was to move aside and let Edith Ann complete the assignment and she’d be right back in her original position, except for this one black mark on her record.

  But how could she leave the professor alone and unarmed? Especially knowing what was sure to ensue?

  Mr. Phifer’s voice boomed. “Return to the Wilmonts at once, adopt the excuse we gave you, and explain that Miss Wengle will take over your job. She’ll begin tomorrow.” He looked down at the papers on his desk, dismissing her.

  Charlotte’s voice quavered. “Mr. Phifer, I’m afraid I cannot.” She swallowed the dust floating in the stifling air. “What you intend to do is unethical, and I cannot be a part of it.”

  Mr. Phifer’s face blew up like a red balloon. “Excuse me, Miss Hale, but you’re already part of it. I’m certain I misunderstood your last comment. You didn’t accuse me of being immoral, did you?”

  “Unethical, sir.”

  His eyes bulged. “I’m afraid we’re not on the same page anymore, young woman. I won’t put up with you criticizing my methods. If you disapprove of me and my newspaper, perhaps you should find yourself a new employer.”

  A wave of nausea rolled through Charlotte’s stomach. “You’re right, I should.” She took a deep, steadying breath, but it didn’t slow her thundering heartbeat. “In fact, as of this very instant, I quit.”

  Her voice wavered, but she’d said what she had to. Relief flooded through her, along with a ripple of fear that she’d ruined her career forever. At least she’d saved the professor from the likes of Mr. Phifer and Edith Ann, and that was what really mattered.

  The editor bellowed, “I can’t believe you’d quit the best job you’ll ever get just because we disagree.”

  “I can and I did,” Charlotte said calmly.

  “Well, Miss Hale, you won’t get a reference from me.”

  “That’s all right, sir. I’m ashamed I worked for your newspaper and I’m just sorry I took the assignment at Summerhill.” She exhaled a long breath. Freed from the bonds of deceit, her conscience lightened. A half smile formed on her lips. “Good day, Mr. Phifer.”

  She spun around and silently left the office. He followed on her heels. Charlotte quickly gathered her personal belongings from her desk and glanced up to see Mr. Phifer scowling in the doorway, hands planted on the sides of his ample waist. She exited without daring to wish her fellow employees farewell or offer them an explanation, though they glanced at her with unspoken curiosity.

  As she drove the short distance to Bridge Street, fear bubbled up in her chest. She had no job prospects and no way to support her family. Her subterfuge now lay in the past, albeit the immediate past, but gone forever. Never again would she jump at the chance for success without weighing the consequences. She hurried to Bridge Street, ready to pour out her news to Aunt Amelia.

  She found her aunt digging up potatoes in the back garden. A basket of yellow squash lay on the grass beside her. The poor woman straightened and braced her arthritic spine with her rough and dirty hands. Despite her pain she managed a smile.

  “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Charlotte. What brings you home?” Amelia piled the potatoes on top of the squash. They went inside to the cool and quiet kitchen. Her aunt dumped the food into the sink, scrubbed her hands, and exchanged her dirty apron for a clean one.

  “I’ve lots of news.”

  Aunt Amelia grunted. “I do hope it’s good.”

  “Where’s Becky?” Charlotte asked, looking around the empty kitchen bathed in the golden light of afternoon.

  “Next door visiting the neighbors.” After pouring a glass of milk, Amelia plucked a blueberry muffin from a woven basket, then found a plate, knife, and slab of butter. “Just in case you’re hungry. Becky baked them herself. She’s turning into quite the good cook.” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Please sit down. I have something to say that affects all three of us.”

  The older woman obliged, her face pinched with worry. “Out with it, please.”

  “I quit the newspaper.”

  Aunt Amelia’s hand thumped her chest and her mouth gaped. “Mercy me! What happened?”

  “It’s quite a story.” Briefly Charlotte explained the situation and waited for Amelia to absorb the news. “I’m so sorry for letting you and Becky down. I have a few more weeks at Summerhill before the Wilmonts move away. During that time, I’ll search for another position.” If she had the chance.

  Aunt Amelia flicked a smile. “Anyone would be fortunate to hire you. You’re a hard worker, reliable, and full of fun. I’ll start asking around myself. You’ll find something.”

  Charlotte nodded, though not at all confident she’d find a good position without a reference from either Mr. Phifer or the professor. “When I return to Summerhill, I’m going to confess my part in the scheme.”

  Aunt Amelia pressed her lips together and nodded. “Yes, I suppose you must.” She leaned forward across the table. “To be perfectly honest, I’m a mite relieved you walked away from Arnie Phifer’s newspaper. And I’m proud you told him why you were quitting in no uncertain terms.” She squeezed Charlotte’s arm. “You’ve always done what’s right.”

  Charlotte shook her head. “No, I’m afraid I haven’t. I accepted the assignment when I should’ve turned it down, no matter how enticing. I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll be ever so much more careful in the future.”

  “Of course you will.” Aunt Amelia steepled her fingers. “So you’re coming home soon?”

  Tears threatened to spill down Charlotte’s cheeks. “Yes.”

  “Hmm.” A gleam of understanding shone in her eyes. “But I think you’d rather stay at Summerhill. You’re more than a little interested in Professor Wilmont, aren’t you? I can’t blame you. He’s a mighty handsome fellow. Don’t deny
it, Charlotte. I can see the truth in your face. That blush of yours gives you away.”

  Charlotte busied herself buttering the muffin. “All right. I admit I admire him. And he’s a kind and considerate employer.” And so much more.

  “Does he have feelings for you as well?”

  Charlotte took a bite to delay her answer. “He mentioned he’d like to get to know me better, but I don’t take that as a declaration of his devotion. He’s rich, though he might not think so, and I’m not. Being poor causes me no shame, but it puts an impossible barrier between us. Please don’t fret. I’m not making a spectacle of myself chasing after him.” She hung her head. “I’ve done enough to disgrace myself without adding forwardness to the list.”

  “Do you think his intensions are serious, despite the differences in your social standing?”

  Charlotte gulped. “I don’t know. But it couldn’t possibly work out between us. Even if he did have feelings that could surmount our differences, I’m not sure we could get past his mother. She’s rather . . . formidable.”

  Aunt Amelia nodded. “But the professor—he is right for you, isn’t he? Oh Charlotte, don’t try to pretend he’s not.”

  “It doesn’t matter how I feel because”—Charlotte breathed deeply—“I deceived him. When I confess the truth, he’ll hate me.” Her voice snagged. “I have to tell him everything and then apologize. He might forgive me because he’s a good Christian, but he won’t like me very much. It’s such a mess . . . and it’s all my fault.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Aunt Amelia’s voice soothed. She came over to her and swallowed Charlotte in a hug.

  Charlotte blinked back a stream of tears. “I’d best be going.” She headed for the front hallway.

  On the drive back to Summerhill, she let the tears fall until none remained. The breeze dried her damp cheeks. She had to admit she cared very much for the professor. Every time she glimpsed him, her heart fluttered.

  She’d committed the unforgivable act of spying and then falling in love. Life would never be the same again.

  NINETEEN

  With Ruthie and Tim beside him, Daniel pushed through the waves at Summerhill’s secluded beach. The young pair laughed and squealed with delight as chilly breakers smashed against them and sent them tumbling into the surf. Daniel turned sideways and splashed water at their bobbing torsos, but his heart wasn’t really in the fun.

  When the sun had at last split the dark skies, he’d invited the children for a swim, hoping his dark mood would lift. They ought to take advantage of their proximity to the sea while they still had the chance.

  “Miss Hale’s back,” Ruthie called, shading her eyes against the sunshine and grinning.

  Daniel looked around and spotted Charlotte kicking up sand as she approached the water. Dressed in her white shirtwaist, black skirt, and straw hat, she looked hot and agitated. Her face blazed with color. He wondered if her bright complexion came from the sun or from something else.

  “I believe I’ll say hello,” Daniel said to his children.

  Ruthie shot him a precocious grin, obviously pleased. Daniel stifled a smile as he trudged through the surf toward the shore. Ruthie and Tim followed him back, then lingered at the water’s edge to build a massive sand castle—“the biggest ever!” Tim cried.

  When he reached her, Charlotte handed him a towel he’d left on the sand. “Mrs. Finnegan said you and the children went for a swim. They certainly enjoy spending time with you.”

  The pleasure in her voice raised his spirits and sent goose bumps down his arms. He gave a sardonic smile. “If I don’t find a position soon, they’ll see a lot more of me.”

  “Surely you’ll find something.”

  “I might have to look into fields other than teaching.”

  “Don’t lose heart. I’m certain something wonderful will turn up. Anyone would be lucky to hire you.” Her blush deepened, but she didn’t avert her gaze.

  Her kindness wrapped him in hope and even optimism. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”

  They strolled toward the boulders that secluded the beach from the lawn, found the smoothest one, and dropped down. It didn’t matter that the stone was hard and sandy. He was near enough to Charlotte to feel her shoulder brush against his and smell the faint scent of talcum powder blended with the clean aroma of Pears soap.

  “How was your aunt, Charlotte?” he asked slowly. “Was she quite taken aback by the news?”

  “No,” she said. “Sir, there is something—”

  “Please call me Daniel.”

  She nodded. “If you wish.”

  “I do. We’ve been formal for far too long.”

  She studied him for a long moment. “Daniel, if you don’t think I’m too personal—I do hope you and the children can stay in Newport.”

  He dared to pick up her hand and hold it. “No, not at all. I want you to be personal with me, Charlotte. You must know you’re so much more to me than just my children’s governess.”

  She didn’t try to slip her fingers away.

  His confidence grew. “The truth is I want to remain here— with you.” When her gaze met his, she was smiling—but sadness reached down into their depths. He waited for her response and hoped she wouldn’t turn away or, even worse, run off.

  “Daniel, I’ve done things you wouldn’t approve of. I’ve made dreadful mistakes, which I regret with all my heart. Mistakes I can’t easily correct.” She lowered her head, yet he could tell she was blinking back tears.

  He squeezed her hand, offering reassurance. “You’ve confessed these sins to the Lord, and He’s forgiven you.”

  She shook her head, appearing unconvinced and uncommonly serious. “I wish it was that easy, but it’s not. You’d be shocked—and disappointed—in me. I wouldn’t blame you. I’m not the woman you want me to be. Or the woman you think I am.” Charlotte stared at the surf, her lower lip trembling. “Under different circumstances, I’d love to get to know you better. But I have to be sensible and so do you.” Her voice choked with sorrow.

  “Charlotte, tell me what’s bothering you. Trust me to understand.”

  She shook her head. “I want to tell you, but it’s so hard to confess my faults—my sins. The Lord forgave me and that’s a tremendous blessing and such a relief. I’m a different person than I was just a short time ago. But the effects of sin linger. I haven’t been altogether honest with you about myself.”

  “You said you’ve changed and that’s all that matters to me.”

  “But if I don’t unburden myself, my sin will always stand between us, at least on my part.”

  For a moment he thought she’d burst into tears, but then her trembling lips curved into a sad smile.

  “Please let me tell you now.”

  “Papa! Papa!” Tim yelled.

  Reluctantly, he turned from Charlotte to gaze at his son.

  “Come! Bring Miss Hale! You have to see our castle!”

  Daniel turned back to Charlotte. “Please dine with me tomorrow night. We can discuss whatever is on your heart then. How does the Coastal Inn sound to you? Or perhaps another restaurant? I’d like us to spend some time together without my family around.”

  She hesitated so long Daniel felt sure she’d decline. He held his breath until she nodded slowly. “I must tell you certain things in private and without interruptions. So, yes, I accept your invitation.”

  Daniel resisted his longing to smother her in a hug. “Tomorrow at seven thirty.”

  Charlotte’s shoulders relaxed and her lips tilted up in a dry smile. “That is, I may go if my employer can do without me for the evening.”

  Daniel broadened his grin. “He thinks he might be able to get by.”

  “Then I shall.” Her voice flowed like cream, but her smile held more than a hint of melancholy.

  He couldn’t imagine why she wanted to confess to him, and it wasn’t necessary. Tomorrow they’d resolve all her concerns.

  He glanced toward the children who were ad
ding another level to their giant castle. Daniel eased off the boulder and took her hands in his. Gently he urged her toward him but not as near as he’d like. His heartbeat quickened. He wanted to press her against his chest and feel her softness and smell her sun-drenched skin salted with briny sea air. But he was still damp from his swim.

  He leaned forward to kiss her, fully expecting her to resist. But Charlotte tilted her head back and let him touch his mouth against hers and taste the sweetness of her lips. Her gasp was barely audible, but even with the rush of the breeze and the pounding of the surf, he heard her surprised reaction. She stepped closer and brushed against the top of his damp swimsuit, obviously not concerned her cotton shirtwaist would absorb the moisture. He encircled his arms around her and gently pulled her nearer.

  “I love you, Charlotte,” he murmured.

  She lifted her chin and searched his eyes. “I believe you do, but it wouldn’t—”

  He bent over and covered her mouth with his again. Enjoying the moment, he wished the sensation of holding her would never end.

  Then she glanced over his shoulder, jerked away, and smoothed her skirt. “I’m afraid the children are staring at us. Please excuse me, Daniel. I must be getting back to the cottage.”

  Before he could object, she was gone. She strode through the soft sand and over the dunes, stepping around tall, swaying grass. With a sigh, he turned to face Ruthie and Tim. The grinning scamps shot across the beach.

  “Papa, you were kissing Miss Hale! Now you have to marry her.” Ruthie clapped her hands.

  Tim nodded.

  Daniel put up his palms. “Whoa. You’re getting ahead of yourself.” But he knew otherwise and from their expressions, so did they. No gentleman kissed a lady if his intentions weren’t serious and honorable. Even the children understood. “Please don’t tease Miss Hale or even mention—the kiss—to anyone, especially your grandmother.”

  “All right.” Tim shrugged and then wandered off to scan the beach for shells.