HER BEAUTY BRING HER PAIN

CHAPTER TWO

"Peace, utter peace. Sometimes I think all of us in congress are going mad." He said with a grin.

Emily smiled, she knew that he was having quite an effect on her! Now, sitting with him in the garden, she felt a little more at ease, but still very much aware of his virile presence.

"Emily, this is excellent coffee, but I'm going to have to bring my own snacks when I call on you again!"

She put her head back and laughed."I would apologize buy quite frankly I have tried to ban anything in the house that might tempt me."

"I understand. In fact , Emily you are very alluring person. You are an exciting woman also."

Jonathan looked into her eyes and there was a few moments of silence that were electrifying.

Emily knew by his look that he found her exceedingly attractive.

"Well, thank you, Jonathan," she said, slightly embarrassed.

"Emily, I can't begin to describe how much I enjoyed meeting you last night at the beach. You know, it was so refreshing to talk with you. I knew there was some dimension that the others did not have. Then when you expressed your life story it was like a breath of fresh air for me."

"It was for me, too. Sometimes it's rather an uphill battle, but of course we don't have to face it alone. I'm very conscious that God is with me."

Jonathan smiled at Emily he felt close to because of their mutual convictions.

Finishing the last of his coffee, Jonathan realized the time and jumped to his feet. "I must go and let this beautiful young woman prepare for tomorrow."

Emily smiled at Jonathan.

"It feels like I am home already," Jonathan commented and as they walked back into the house he put his arm around Emily's shoulder. she felt a grow go right through her.

Jonathan put their cups and saucers in the sink and rinsed them out."see how domesticated I am?"

Emily thought about how helpful he was. She wondered who had taught him to be so considerate.

"You may be wondering where I picked up this trait, my mom . she insist that I be thoughtful of others. The years in under her care stood me in good stead, bless her. 'Mom' never let me forget I had a privileged childhood."

"It shows in your concern for others, Jonathan. I imagine she is very proud of you."

"Thank you. I hope I never let her down. May we have dinner tomorrow night, Emily?"

Jonathan's voice brought her thoughts back and she answered quickly, "I would love that. You know my hours, however. It would either have to be very late-a midnight snack-or perhaps on the weekend."

"How about both?" He looked down at her and flashed that disarming smile.

Emily nodded. "That sounds fine with me."

"Right, tomorrow night I'll call you and confirm the time."

As Jonathan was about to open the front door, he turned to Emily and said, "could I ask a favor?"

"Of course."

"Would you play that melody once more? I promise to leave immediately. To be truthful, I heard you play on other nights every time I pass this street and listened outside the window, but tonight I decided to knock on your front door."

Emily thought of him standing in the street listening and she said softly, "you should have let me know."

He reached out and touched her cheek and Emily felt that same glow go through her once again. She walked toward the piano and quietly began to play the sadly beautiful music. As Jonathan sat back and listened, she was conscious that his eyes were upon her.

The scene was one of the complete serenity, only to be interrupted by the telephone ringing.

Emily walked over to the side table next to where Jonathan sat and picked up the telephone. He started to get up, but she signaled with her eyes for him to stay seated.

"Hello?"

Emily heard her aunt Catherine's distraught voice.

"Hello my daughter how are you?"

"I'm fine aunt Catherine, how are you and Maureen?"

"We are both worried about you my child, but Maureen as gone to bed I told her that you will be coming tomorrow."

After listening to a lengthy explanation, Emily said quickly,"Thank you aunt Catherine. I'll be there tomorrow and talk about it then."

With a few more words of admonition and concern, she put down the telephone and stood there completely dazed their conversation.

Jonathan saw a horrified look come over Emily's face.

Jonathan got to his feet and asked, "Emily,it's bad news, isn't it?"

"Yes," she whispered everything that was going on to Jonathan .

She walked over to the fireplace and looking down she said softly, "my uncle Douglass loves me and he will do anything to have me and when I was ten years he tried to take advantage of me , and all my family know about it, but they can not do anything to him because is very powerful and rich."

Tears began to form and felt embarrassed to let Jonathan see her.

He walked over and put his arms around her. She looked up at him and he could see pain in her eyes.

"My Dad always tell me , 'Nothing is completely hopeless. We can always pray and let God work out the heartaches.' I have found that to be true many times in my own life, Emily."

Jonathan's word of comfort helped her. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she said,"I know , Jonathan. God does answer our prayers."

"Emily none of us is infallible. That characteristic was left to our Lord alone."