An Improper Situation (Sanborn-Malloy Historical Romance Series, Book One) by Baily Sydney Jane

Author:Baily, Sydney Jane [Baily, Sydney Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cat Whisker Press
Published: 2013-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

*****

Home on Chestnut Street, Charlotte watched Gerald and the driver staggering under the load of her parcels. Bridget’s eyes were gleaming and Charlotte knew the serving girl couldn’t wait to see the new attire.

“We’ll get all this put away,” Charlotte said, gesturing for Bridget to come with her.

Alicia paused on her way to the kitchen to order pound cake and lemon puffs from the cook. “You will come down for tea.”

It was not a question.

“Before then, I expect.” Charlotte had not forgotten the dreaded tea with Helen, not for a moment all day, but she was determined not to allow her anxiety to run amok. Letting Bridget try on her new bonnet, they were soon laughing and wondering aloud at how all the new clothes were ever going to fit in the wardrobe and chest of drawers.

Bridget heard the bell before Charlotte did.

“That’ll be your company, miss,” she said, with the same Irish cadence as Lacey.

“Not my company,” Charlotte muttered, putting down the new reticule with pink and mauve beading. She thought she knew what it felt like to be a lamb going to slaughter. Except worse, because she knew what awaited her.

She took a look at herself in her mirror.

“Oh, you look fine, miss.”

“I should have taken the time to change into something new,” Charlotte said, smoothing down her tan skirt and matching bodice. “Never mind now. Thank you for all your help, Bridget.”

The girl fairly turned pink with pleasure and ran out ahead of Charlotte.

Going down the stairs a bit more slowly than Bridget, she could tell that Thomas and Lily had come in from the garden and beat her to the parlor.

“The princess,” she heard Thomas exclaim and quickened her steps. Too late. She entered the doorway in time to see him bound onto the sofa where Helen Belgrave sat, stylishly draped in a figure-fitting, burgundy silk gown.

“Stop that,” Helen cried, an expression of horror marring her attractive features as he touched the sleeve of her dress with muddied fingers, fresh from digging up some treasure. Charlotte caught the frown that crossed her aunt’s face. Evidently, they were both realizing that Helen Belgrave did not care for children.

Helen managed to rearrange her features into a neutral mask, however, as Lily stepped forward and took her brother by the hand, hauling him off the sofa.

“Children,” Charlotte called them to her, sincerely hoping she hadn’t had Helen’s horrified look on her own face when Reed first presented Thomas and Lily. “Say good day to Mr. Malloy’s friend and then go get washed up. I’m sure cook will have a treat for you in the kitchen.”

They barely mumbled to Helen before they ran down the passage.

“So energetic,” Helen said, taking the cup of tea that Alicia offered.

“Mm,” Charlotte smiled and helped herself to a lemon puff. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

“I must say,” Alicia added, “that I only had my Ann to raise, and she was rather less enthusiastic than Thomas, but I do love having my family in the house again.”

Her smile, to Charlotte, seemed completely genuine and she couldn’t help but feel warmed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.