Read First: White Rose of Winter---Complete - Page 7

Im not liking Sandra at all. 😳 She seems too much strict and stoic wid Emma. Ahhh! Asher is soo Fawadish! ☺️ Loved the last scene and the way it was described I cud easily visualise FK! The Undercurrents in Their proximity is blushworthy..😳 And I can easily vusualise myself! Neerja when you write the next novel, Do keep my name as the potragonist! 😊 Please.

Originally posted by: .Enchantress.

Im not liking Sandra at all. 😳 She seems too much strict and stoic wid Emma. Ahhh! Asher is soo Fawadish! ☺️ Loved the last scene and the way it was described I cud easily visualise FK! The Undercurrents in Their proximity is blushworthy..😳 And I can easily vusualise myself! Neerja when you write the next novel, Do keep my name as the potragonist! 😊 Please.

Thank You Neerja! 🤗 The overview looks Tempting! 😳 Yes, I do remember that photoshoot, It was for Republic by Omar Farooq. 😊 Have you thought of FK's name? If Sara in Moon Witch is young you can keep it my age ie 21 and FK wud be as he is..😳

Originally posted by: .Enchantress.

Thank You Neerja! 🤗 The overview looks Tempting! 😳 Yes, I do remember that photoshoot, It was for Republic by Omar Farooq. 😊 Have you thought of FK's name? If Sara in Moon Witch is young you can keep it my age ie 21 and FK wud be as he is..😳

Shanaya you have to little bit for this novel to end and then to start another with you .😊

Originally posted by: Neerjaa

Shanaya you have to little bit for this novel to end and then to start another with you .😊

Hope you are patient person like your FK

Its Ok Neerja, I Understand! 😊 Take ur time and Yes, Im patient like My FK! 😊]

hello neerja I have read the first chapter whrn you started the fiction but could not read it time to time .i was busy,so didn't got time to read out the novel from last few days.today I read in one go, loved it. so maya and emma moved to their apartment, asher is back and he is at maya s place.i am loving the chemistry between maya and asher and have a strong feeling that emma is asher s daughter.lucy is just like fareeda.would not comment on sara yet .looking forward to next part,update soon waiting for the next part eagerly.

Originally posted by: tvluvr

hello neerja I have read the first chapter whrn you started the fiction but could not read it time to time .i was busy,so didn't got time to read out the novel from last few days.today I read in one go, loved it. so maya and emma moved to their apartment, asher is back and he is at maya s place.i am loving the chemistry between maya and asher and have a strong feeling that emma is asher s daughter.lucy is just like fareeda.would not comment on sara yet .looking forward to next part,update soon waiting for the next part eagerly.

Continue....Chapter Eight

As though becoming aware of her concentrated scrutiny, his eyes suddenly opened , flickering lazily . Maya stiffened ,standing completely still as his gaze steadied and moved up over to her face .

" Maya!" he exclaimed, blinking , still half unaware of his surroundings. He propped himself up on one elbow, frowning in the effort to remember his whereabouts , and then groaned ," God , my head !" and fell back against the cushions again.

Maya was concerned. Seating herself on the edge of the wide couch , she put her hand on his forehead and found it was burning hot . But Asher took her hand and moved it to his cheek , turning his lips into the palm so that she trembled in his grasp . Hi eyes were half closed and drowsy , and she was sure he did not know what he was doing .

" Asher ," she protested , half heartedly ,trying to withdraw from him ,but he reached out drawing her near him .

" I can't help is . You are driving me crazy , do you know that ?"

Maya wanted to let him go ,to hell with the consequences . But the thought of Emma , and what consequences had meant the last time she had let him drown her reason in passion , were sufficient to destroy the intimacy of the moment .

Taking advantage of his momentary weakness, she managed to get her feet on the floor and flung herself off the couch . Asher remained where she had left him , watching her . His expression was now daunting.

" What's wrong ?"he demanded harshly . " Am I too late this evening ? " Was Francis you were expecting ?"

Maya gasped . Picking up a cushion ,she flung at him angrily , following it with a book . " How dare you suggest such a thing ?"

Asher warded off her missiles and rose to his feet swaying for a moment as his head obviously pained him . " What the hell did you go out with him again ? What are you trying to do to me ?"

" To you "? Maya asked .

" Yes ,to me ." Asher raked his hair back , " Are you in love with him ?"

Maya pressed the palms of her hands to her cheek ," Of course not ."

" No more than you were in love with Mike ," he muttered violently ." God ,Maya , it's just as well you and Mike were in Malaya when I got back from Venezuela or I would have killed you both !" He pressed a hand to his head in agony ," Oh, lord , have you got anything for headache ? My head fees as if splitting in to two !"

Maya hesitated and then sped across the room to the door and went to kitchen where she knew Mrs. Hudson kept some medicines. And when she arrived back with the bottle of aspirins and some water ,Asher was stretched out on the couch again . She put down the things on the table beside him and looked at him doubtfully ." How long is it since you had any sleep ?" she asked . " Real sleep , I mean . Not just dozing on the couch !"

Asher opened one eye , " I do not know . Two - may be three days ."

" But , why ?" Maya asked . " Surely you could have arranged things better than that ."

" What's the point of going to bed and tossing and turning for hours because you can't sleep ?" he demanded harshly .

" That's nonsense ! You are exhausted."

Asher sighed and rolling over reached for aspirins. Dropping three in the palm of his hand , he tossed them to the back of his throat and swallowed a mouthful of water to get rid of them . Then he lay back on the cushions , looking up at her wearily .

" I'm sorry to be nuisance ." He remarked sardonically .

Maya lifted her shoulders." You are not a nuisance ! she exclaimed ." Why did you come here Asher ?"

He closed his eyes ," I wanted to see you . Hailbird said you had rung this morning to speak to my mother when she was not at home . I thought may be there was some kind of crisis for you to ring her ,"

Maya bent her head ," Oh, I see."

He opened his eyes again . Was it important ?"

" No , I wanted to talk to her about - about Sandra . I suppose you know she is here ." He nodded and she put a hand to her mouth ." I suppose she knows ,I went out with Francis , too."

Asher moved his head slowly from side to side , his eyes closed again . " No , she does not . I arrived about nine -thirty , and I had plenty of opportunities to speak to Mrs. Hudson before Sandra arrived back ."

Maya frowned ," And Sara ?"

" What about Sara ?" he sounded indifferent

" Well, Sandra was having dinner with Sara and her mother .Didn't you see her when she brought Sandra home ?"

" No ." Asher was uncompromising.

Maya made a helpless gesture ," But won't she think that's odd ? I mean - your being here ?"

Asher shrugged , opening his eyes again ," Probably. But she knows better than to object ."

Maya sighed . " And what did Sandra say when she saw you ?"

" Hello."

" Oh, you are being deliberately obtuse !"Maya would have turned away ,but he reached out and slid his fingers between hers and she halted reluctantly .

" No , I am not ," he murmured huskily ." I just don't want to talk about Sara right now ."

Maya looked at him uncertainly ," Where did you tell Sandra I was ?"

" I didn't . Mrs. Hudson explained that you had gone out for a while ,and I think she was so astound at seeing me , she could not think of anything to say ."

" I can't believe that !" said Maya , with feeling .

He played with her fingers absently, his thumb massaging her palm ." Do you want me to go?" His thick lashes successfully concealed the expression in his eyes.

Maya took a deep breath. " You can't drive anywhere in that state !' she said firmly . You'll have to sleep here tonight ."

"Where? In your bed ?" His fingers tightened on hers .

" Yes ,My bed ." agreed Maya shortly and pulled herself away from him ." Can you make it upstairs?"

Asher regarded her in a strange way ." I am not an invalid, you know "

" I know that ." Maya walked towards the door and looked back as he slid his legs to the ground and got to his feet . He flexed his back muscles tiredly and then she went out of the room and up the stairs without looking back .

In her room , she turned down the clean sheets and removed her night dress under the pillow just as Asher appeared in the doorway . Despite his boast ,he looked pale and exhausted , and leaned negligently against the door jamb.

" You know where the washroom is ." said Maya ,moving away from the bed ." Is there anything else you need ?"

" Only you " He muttered huskily

" Not now .' Maya evaded his reaching hands and made for the door ." Get in to bed ,"

He began to remove his shirt with complete lack of modesty and Maya went hastily out of the room , closing the door behind her . Then she heaved a deep breath and walked a little way along the landing to Emma's room .

The child was sleeping soundly and Maya let herself into the room silently and quickly slipped into her nightdress .Then she slid in to the big bed beside Emma ,moving her daughter a little and nestle herself closer to her .

" Mummy ?"murmured Emma sleepily , her small hand questing over her face .

Maya drew them down and squeezed them ." Yes , Mummy ." she assured her quietly . " Go to sleep ."

Maya slept late the next morning , and so did Emma . Maya eventually awoke as her daughter was stirring , and smiled sleepily at her astonished little face .

" Why are you sleeping with me ?" she demanded , in surprise .

Maya stretched." Do you mind ?"

" No, but why ?"

Maya slid out of the bed , and glancing in amazement at her watch . It was after ten o' clock ." Because I let someone else sleep in my bed, " she said .

" Who ?" Emma looked excited.

" Uncle Asher ." replied Maya , yawning ,and walking into the washroom . When she returned a few minutes later , Emma was gone .

Sighing , Maya pulled on her dressing gown . She had no illusions as to where Emma might be . She only hoped she would be in time to stop her from waking Asher up if he was still asleep .

However when she reached the room ,the door was pulled closed and when she looked inside , she found Emma nowhere to be seen . Only Asher was stretched out in the bed , sound asleep . she silently closed the door .

Downstairs ,Emma was with Mrs. Hudson in the kitchen who was grumbling away to herself as she prepared a tray . Maya frowned ." What's going on ?"

Mrs. Hudson looked at her resignedly." Your Miss Lawson appeared in here an half hour ago demanding to know why breakfast hadn't been prepared . I explained that you didn't normally get up early and that as that you had been out last night ..." she sighed .' Anyway , the upshot of it was that she said she always ate a good breakfast and I would supply her with a tray of cereal , bacon , eggs , toast and coffee !"

Maya endeavored to smooth her entangled hair . She had not the time to comb it yet ," I see ." She glanced at her daughter ." Did you go into uncle Asher's room ?"

Emma looked downcast for a moment ." Yes , but he was asleep ,so I crept out again . Did I wake him up ?"

" Fortunately not ," said Maya reprovingly , and then realized that Mrs. Hudson was staring at her in astonishment .

" Did Mr. Asher sleep here last night ?"

Maya colored . " I am afraid so . He was exhausred . He was asleep when I returned home .'

Mrs. Hudson nodded ," Yes , I know . He arrived back from New York last evening and then visiting his apartment ,he drove down here ."

" Yes . I expect you were surprised to see him here ."

" Yes ,Ma'am. Not that I minded . It was company , like ,and then after Miss Lawson went to bed he'd wait up for you ." she searched Maya's face ." You - you didn't mind me going to bed ?"

" Heavens , no." Maya smiled and Mrs. Hudson looked relieved, and then she took the try for Miss Lawson .

Maya frowned ." You mean she has gone back to bed ?" she bit her lip ." Well , give it to me . I have got to go up to get dressed . I will take it to her " she looked down at Emma ," you can have your cereal in here , can't you ?"

Maya took the tray and made her way upstairs. As she had suspected ,Sandra was dressed and sitting by dressing table writing letters . She looked up in surprise when Maya entered . " Thank you ." she said ," But Mrs. Hudson could have brought it up ."

" It's not part of Mrs. Hudson's duties to be chambermaid ," replied Maya shortly ." And I was coming upstairs ."

" Well, thank you , Mrs. Pemberton ." Sandra's smile was frozen .

Maya moved towards the door ,Sandra interrupted ," By the way , " she said as Maya was going out of the room ." Did you know that Mr. Pemberton was coming here last night ?"

" Asher ? No , I didn't know .'

Sandra frowned ,"I didn't hear his car leave . Was he still here ,when you got home ?"

" Yes ." Maya took hold of the handle ." Actually, he did not leave .He slept here !' And let her make what she likes to make of that , she thought childishly , closing the door with a definite click behind her .

Sandra had gone for a walk round the village and Emma was playing in the frost frozen garden when Asher eventually appeared. Maya was in the kitchen, helping Mrs. Hudson prepare the vegetables for the lunch when he opened the door . It was almost twelve , and he had obviously slept well , for his face had lost its haggard appearance ,it had had the night before . But what Maya was not prepared for was the hostile gleam in his eyes as he looked at her . Then he switched his his attention to the housekeeper ," Is it too late to beg a cup of coffee?"

Mrs. Hudson wiped her hands dry ," Of course not . My , you look more - rested this morning ,'

" Yes , I feel it ." Asher had to look at Maya then ." Good morning Maya."

" Good morning ." Maya's lips were tight .

He nodded again at Mrs. Hudson and disappeared . Maya found she was breathing rather quickly .

" Are you going to take it through to him , or shall I ?" Mrs. Hudson has prepared a tray with coffee ,some scones , too , hot from the oven .

Maya pressed her lips together , looking down at her apron -covered denim slacks and blue sweater ," I look such a sight ," she began ,when Mrs. Hudson thrust the tray into her hands .

" Go along with you . You know you want to ,"

Asher was in the lounge . He was standing near the window . In his formal grey town suit , with only stubble to indicate that he had not been home , he looked wholly unapproachable .He turned when he heard her entrance ,and said ," Thank you . I will get away as soon as I've had this ,"

Maya put down the tray ," Would you like me to pour for you ?"

He shrugged," If you like ,"

Maya seated herself at the edge of the couch and poured the coffee and handed him the cup .

" I suppose I should apologize for the inconvenience ," he said bleakly .

" What inconvenience ?' Maya rose to her feet again She could not bear to feel at more of a disadvantage than she already was ." You know I asked you to stay ." she looked up at him ," Did you sleep well ?"

He bit off an expletive ," You know I did ."

Maya bent her head ," Good ."

" Where did you sleep ?"

" With Emma."

" I see ." he finished his coffee and thrust down the cup ." I must go . I apology again for putting you out ."

" But you did not ! " exclaimed Maya unhappily .

At that moment Emma came running into the room ." Uncle Asher !Uncle Asher !' she cried and flung herself into his arms . Then she frowned. You are not leaving !"

" I am afraid so ."

" But why Mummy , Why ? Does he have to go ?"

" I think so , darling .' Maya's throat was constricted.

Asher hugged the little girl ." I will come and see you again soon ,"

Emma's mouth drooped ," Oh. Uncle Asher , please ! I came to your bedroom this morning ,but Mummy would not let me wake you .And now you are going !"

" Bother Miss Lawson . I do not like her ,"

Emma pursed her lips and as she did so Maya became aware that Sandra was standing silently in the doorway watching them . Asher noticed her , too, and managed a polite ," Good morning Miss Lawson ."

Sandra's lips thinned . She must have heard what Emma has said She was going to ignore it for the time being .

Sandra smiled and then turned to Emma," And what have you been doing ?"

" Nothing ." Emma was mutinous. Maya had never seen her this way before . The child was looking desperately up at Asher and there were tears sparkling on her long lashes . " Please , Uncle Asher , do not go!"

Asher hesitated , glancing awkwardly at Maya . She made a helpless gesture. " Stay if you would like to ."

" Yes, do stay ," said Sandra unexpectedly . " Actually I thought you would ,so I telephoned Sara while I was out and asked her to come over ."

Maya gasped ," You did what !

" Cool it , Maya !"Asher was unperturbed. " You told Sara I was here ?"

Sandra looked coy ." No, not that . I thought it would be a nice surprise for her ."

Asher wiped a tear from Emma's cheek and there was a curious smile on his face now . " I imagine you thought your action would cause no little consternation here, Miss Lawson,' he said ,in an almost conversational voice.

Sandra colored defensively." Sara is my friend . I did what I thought was the best ."

" Best for whom ? Sara ? Or for you ."

" What do you mean ?"

Asher looked at her squarely." What a petty little mind you have ,Miss Lawson .Do you really imagine that when Sara arrives and find me here it will make a slightest difference to our relationship ?"

" Of course --?"

" Oh , no , Miss Lawson , it won't. Sara is not exactly the sort of person you think she is . She wants to marry me because I am entirely suitable , both socially and financially . The fact that I might stray now and then from the straight and narrow means lilltle more than a mild annoyance to her . By telephoning her and bringing her here , all you will achieve is her humiliation Do you think she will thank you for that ?"

Sandra uttered an exclamation," How can you stand there and admit such a thing..."

"I am admitting nothing . I've got nothing to confess. Nor has Mrs. Pemberton ,I might add."

" What's going on , Uncle Asher?' Emma was getting impatient .

" Nothing , honey ,' he replied , looking down at her gently ." You go and take off your outdoor things and in five minutes I'll give you a game of snakes and ladders."

" Super !" Emma scampered excitedly out of the room and Asher turned back to governess.

" Well?"

Sandra moved uncomfortably, casting a malevolent glance in Maya s direction. " It's too late now ," she said ." I have made the phone call ."Asher's expression hardened." Sara is not to know the exact time I arrived . She is not expecting me back until this evening. If she comes and finds me here this morning it will be a simple matter to pretend I arrived a short while ago , on my way to see her ," He rubbed his hand over the growth of stubble on his chin ." I can use the battery operated shaver I have in the car . No one would be any the wiser ."

" You are actually asking me to assist your intrigue!" cried Sandra in horror .

" Not at all . All you are being asked to do is save Sara from embarrassment."

" But if she does not care where you - where you sleep - what does it matter ?" she demanded triumphantly.

Asher's lips twisted ." But you rang her , Miss Lawson . You deliberately set wheels in motion to bring her here and find me in residence. Do you think she'll find it easy to forgive you for that ?"

" You- you are despicable!" Sandra bent her head , obviously having an inward battle within herself .

" Just practical ." remarked Asher coldly ." Well?"

Sandra's. face contorted. " Very well I will say nothing ,but I shall not forget this ,"

" Nor shall I ." replied Asher heavily and strode out of the room in search of Emma.

Maya sank down weakly on the arm of a chair . She felt weak . It had all been too much for her , and she wished desperately that they would all go away and leave her and Emma alone . Asher's enmity this morning was destructive , particularly after his momentary tenderness last night .

Sandra was regarding her contemptuously. " I suppose this is all for your benefit ,is it not ?"she demanded

Maya looked up wearily ." What?"

" This elaborate charade ! this pretence of just arriving back from the States ! He is not concerned about Sara being embarrassed or even that I might loose Sara's friendship ! All that concern him is protecting you ! Your reputation !" Her lips curled . " I wonder why ? Do you suppose he is afraid you are going to get your claws into him for a second time , and this time he might not get away scot free ?"

Now I too have a hunch that Emma is Asher's Daughter which might be a result of intimacy between two. Asher-Maya's proximity left me..☺️ He was definitely spilling up all those things in the heat of the moment. 😆 Now he appears decent. I hated Miss Lawson for inviting Sara, Such petty minded. But loved Asher's Reply! 👏