A Lady in Defiance by Heather Blanton

Author:Heather Blanton [Heather Blanton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B0078T6YHY
Goodreads: 15715205
Published: 2012-03-30T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Leaning over a list at the kitchen table, Rebecca and Hannah finished writing up an order for linens and then stared at each other with dread in their eyes. “I’m not going to take it to the telegraph office,” Hannah told her rather loudly, “and you can’t go alone.”

Rebecca cringed, well away of her little sister’s plan. Ian, only a few feet away supervising the pump installation, excused himself from the carpenters and offered his elbow to Rebecca. “If ye’ll have me, m’lady?”

Swallowing nervously, Rebecca nodded. Hannah grinned from ear-to-ear, adding to Rebecca’s butterflies. Ian grabbed his cane from the corner and came back to her with his hand extended. She commanded the heat in her face to subside, to no avail, and lightly clutched his fingers.

As the two stepped outside, she noticed his cane with the ornately carved wolf’s head on top. “It’s beautiful. I think it makes you look very distinguished.”

He twirled the cane around as they strolled at a comfortable, casual speed. “It is very old and belonged to my father. Alas, I fear it makes me look as ancient as Methuselah.”

“Hardly. You’re dapper and handsome with it.” She looked away, certain she was flushed with embarrassment over the bold comment that had just leaped out of her mouth. Ian scratched his beard and grinned at her. Shocked at herself, Rebecca prayed that God would strike her dumb and stop this runaway mouth of hers.

“Ms. Rebecca, are there other siblings between ye and yer sisters? How is it that there is such a spread in yer ages?”

She shook her head, resigned to the implication that she was noticeably older than Hannah and Naomi. “No, Momma and Daddy had me and, after twelve years of no more children, thought they were done. You can imagine what a surprise Naomi was to everyone. They thought she was a small miracle, but then six years after her, Hannah was born.”

“If ye don’t mind me asking, where is the father of Hannah’s babe?” It was the first time he had mentioned the situation.

Rebecca tugged nervously on her braid. “I don’t know exactly.” Rebecca had taken quite a shine to Ian, but that didn’t mean she should go spouting off the family secrets. Besides, she didn’t want him to think poorly of Hannah. “His father was going to send him to some Ivy League school this fall. I hope they both think it was worth abandoning her and the baby for it.”

“I take it the lad dinna marry her then?” His voice was gentle and lacking any accusations. When Rebecca didn’t answer immediately, he cleared his throat and apologized. “I’m sorry. That’s none o’ me business. Hannah seems a very sweet girl−”

“And Billy Page is a fast-talkin’, quick-movin’ scallywag.” Rebecca was immediately sorry the unexpected gush of anger had taken control of her sense. Crossing her arms, she shook her head and sighed. “He has no idea how many hearts he’s broken.”

They walked in silence after that until they reached the telegraph office.

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