Emma

Chapter Thirty-Five.

We finish eating our breakfast when Mary comes in the room to warn me that Ackley is back, and waiting for me. I gently ask her to tell him that I will be down in a few minutes, and she leaves Thomas and myself alone.

"Before you go," starts Thomas. "There is something I have to ask you"

"I'm listening"

"There is the opening of my institute for the Orphan Children tomorrow. I opened it for Grace and my family and I are holding festivities after the inauguration. I want you to come," says Thomas. "With me"

A smile stretches my lips and I put my hand on his. "It would be my honour"

"Good"

And I cannot imagine going there without making a donation. "Are you going to take donations?" I ask.

And immediately, Thomas knows what I have in mind. "Maybe. But not from you"

"Let me make a donation Thomas"

"No need to"

"I want to," I retort. "I grew up without my mother. Even though my father was the most loving man on Earth, I still felt, somehow, like an orphan without my mom. Let me help those children"

Tommy sighs. He seems to be thinking about it for a second. Then, he stands up and takes my hand in his. "I'll think about it"

Whether he agrees or not, I will make one. Even if I have to lie about it.

Thomas and I walk out of the room, my hand on his arm, to rejoin the main hall. "Will you be making a speech?" I ask.

"Yes. A very short one"

"I can't wait to hear it"

Before we walk out of the house, Tommy grabs a coat in the entrance and wrap me in it. "This is your coat, Thomas"

"I know. You haven't brought one"

He doesn't wait for me to answer that he opens the door and I see Ackley standing next to one of my cars. When he sees me, he almost gets on his knee, but thankfully he notices Tommy and stays on his feet.

"Ms Langdon, how are you feeling?"

"Fine, thank you"

"We have an unexpected guest at the house waiting for you," announces Ackley.

"Let's not make this person wait then," I reply. Then I turn around to look at Thomas. "I guess we'll see each other tomorrow"

Tommy grabs a cigarette and puts it between his lips. "I'll see if I can come by tonight"

"You have work to catch up on," I say. "Prioritize it, we'll see each other tomorrow"

"I'll come to your house in the morning"

I nod. Then, I gently kiss Thomas' cheek before walking away. Ackley helps get into my car and he quickly sits behind the steering wheel. When he drives away, Ackley starts apologizing.

"I beg you to forgive me, Ma'am. I was going to come back, but Mr Shelby found you first. I am deeply sorry. I promise you on my honour this will never happen again"

"Don't worry Ackley. I know what your intentions were. Everything worked out"

"I am sorry"

"Thomas and I made an alliance," I say, changing the subject. "He continues his work with the Russians, and he gives me the revenge I want"

"You can have this revenge all by yourself"

"I know. But with him thinking he helped, it won't raise any question when Tatiana and her family will die"