An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Author:Candace Camp [Camp, Candace]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Large Type Books, Man-Woman Relationships, Love Stories, Historical, England, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Regency, Nobility, Marriage Proposals
ISBN: 9780373770977
Google: 0QwuvRwKRMEC
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2005-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lilith rose to her feet, her hand going to her throat. “Crandall! What happened to you? Are you all right?”

Crandall ignored her as he jerked out his chair and sank down on it. Winifred reached over to place her hand on his arm, but he jerked it away, growling, “Leave it!”

Lilith swung to face Nicholas, exclaiming, “What is the meaning of this?”

Nicholas looked at her levelly. “I don’t think I am the one to ask. Try your son.”

“Crandall …” Lilith’s voice was commanding.

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “It’s nothing, Mother. Leave it alone.”

“Nothing? Your face is black and blue, and you expect me to accept that it is nothing? Did Nicholas do this to you?”

Crandall grimaced. “A fellow in the village attacked me. That’s it. Now, may we please eat?”

“No, we cannot,” Lilith snapped. “You tell me you were attacked and expect us just to go on as if nothing had happened? Who was it? Was the man arrested?”

“Aunt Lilith, I think that the less fuss we make about this matter, the better,” Nicholas told her in a calm tone, and he cast Crandall a significant look.

“Fuss?” Lilith stared at Nicholas coldly. “My son was attacked by some ruffian, and you think we should not make a ‘fuss’? I want to know if the man who did this to Crandall is in gaol.”

“No,” Nicholas replied shortly. “And this is hardly a fit discussion for luncheon. I suggest we postpone it until after the meal.”

Lilith glared at him, fairly quivering with fury. “You may have swept in here and taken over, Lord Barre, but you will not dictate to me about what I can or cannot say regarding a vicious attack on my son. I want to know what happened. I want to know why this man is not in gaol!”

With a sigh, Nicholas set down his fork and turned toward the butler. “Rundell …”

“Yes, my lord.” The butler turned to the footmen, making a gesture, and the servants filed out of the room. Rundell closed the door softly behind him.

“All right. We will discuss it.” Nicholas turned first to Winifred, saying, “I am sorry that you have to hear this.”

Winifred turned to look at her husband, her face pale and uneasy. “Crandall?”

Crandall ignored her, crossing his arms and sitting back in his chair sulkily. “Go on, Nick. I’m sure you can hardly wait to tell everyone.”

“Believe me, I find little pleasure in talking about your indiscretions, and even less in dealing with their aftermath.” Nicholas turned to look at Lilith. “I met with the man in question this morning, Aunt Lilith. He called upon me to warn me that I had better keep Crandall under better control. It seems that your son was making unwanted and even forceful advances to the man’s wife. He walked in on them and, not unreasonably, objected to Crandall’s behavior. That is why Crandall’s face is in the condition it is this afternoon.”

“What nonsense!” Lilith exclaimed. “Obviously the little tart lied to her husband.

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