A Bride for the Betrayed Earl by Bridget Barton

Author:Bridget Barton [Barton, Bridget]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2017-07-30T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“So, this is where you hide yourself, Emmeline.” Kent Fitzgerald’s voice startled her.

Emmeline had not expected Kent to return to Tarlton Manor so soon, for it was only a matter of days since he had last returned to the Midlands. Surely, he could only have been in his own home for a day and a half before returning to Emmeline’s home. Emmeline’s home for the present, at any rate.

“I am not hiding, Sir,” Emmeline said a little waspishly, her voice defiantly trying to hide a sudden stab of fear.

Emmeline was at the very far end of their grounds, some distance away from the beautiful rose bushes she had shown Hunter on the day that he had made his curious proposal. She had been looking for some peace and quiet and had gone to her favourite place. Not just her favourite place in the garden, her favourite place in the world. It was a tiny area of flagstones with an old wooden bench upon it which was tucked away on the edge of their grounds. It was a secluded, private place, shielded from the world by thick box hedging and tall trellises covered in clematis and passionflower. The gardener always set out a few pots of flowers in the little space, silently acknowledging that he knew it was well used. But it was only used by Emmeline.

“But nobody from the outside can see you, so I would say again that you are hiding.” He smiled at her, but it was not in the attempt at friendliness that he had customarily used.

This was a different smile altogether, almost the cruel grin of a cat knowing that it had a mouse cornered. It seemed to Emmeline that her cousin had become less and less attractive as time had gone on.

He still had that bland handsomeness, his face pleasing only because it was a symmetrical, featureless landscape. But it was pleasing in a very general way, pleasing to all but attractive to none. He was certainly not attractive to Emmeline, quite the contrary. Ever since he had sat inappropriately close to her during the afternoon of bridge at Croston Hall, Emmeline had been repulsed by him.

Time and time again, she had gone over his words and tried to excuse him. Although he had said nothing which she could use to make an accusation, it was the manner of his speech which had been so unsettling. Without saying it, he had made it very clear that he had an interest in her and, furthermore, that he was choosing to make some progress with that interest.

The very idea of it sickened her, and there had been times when she had wished that their period of grace would come to an end, that they would walk away from Tarlton Manor and that dreadful relation and away into a new life. Of course, such feelings were only fleeting and, when she thought about it rationally, the idea of leaving Tarlton still broke her heart.

“Finding a little peace and quiet in which to read and hiding are two different things.

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