Betrothed by Catherine Lloyd

Author:Catherine Lloyd [Lloyd, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988003184
Publisher: Writewood Creations
Published: 2016-01-30T07:00:00+00:00

§

HER RETURN to Windemere Hall coincided with Branson’s who raced down the sweeping drive on horseback. He saw her hatless and damp and rode quickly in her direction. The horse’s hooves kicked up gravel as he reined in beside her.

“Where have you been?” he shouted. “I have been looking everywhere for you.”

She shielded her eyes against the low September sun. Branson was in a black cloak and hatless as well. “I took a walk. Didn’t Piers tell you?”

“Yes, he told me. But he could not tell me where you were walking because you did not tell him! As long as you are under my roof, I expect to know your whereabouts at all times.”

“Then you and I have a problem because I refuse. I shall walk when and where I want. I am not a child. I will not be watched every moment that I am held here.”

Branson dismounted and came toward her, his eyes snapping with anger. “Well, well. The mouse has found her voice. What has got into you? How dare you challenge me?”

Clara shrank from his ire but the memory of the woman at the chapel was too fresh to be ignored. “You have not told me the whole truth. You said there were no women here. I saw a woman just now at the chapel. And last night, I heard a woman laughing in the room next to mine.”

“You’ve tried that trick once, Clara; I will not fall for it a second time.” Branson turned away from her, leading his horse to the stables.

“I found her bonnet!” She stamped after him. “I didn’t imagine that—no matter what you’ve instructed Piers to say. Who is Grace?”

His stride halted a fraction of a second and then Branson resumed walking as though she had not spoken. His boots crunched over the gravel. “Where did you hear that name?”

Clara knew she had pierced his armor. “Piers told me about her. He said you were engaged to be married.”

“It was a long time ago. Piers should learn to keep his mouth shut.”

“It wasn’t his fault. I asked him about her. I met her when I was a child and I wondered what happened to her.”

Branson glanced over his shoulder. “And did Piers tell you what happened to her?”

“Yes. He said that she had died.”

“Then there is no mystery. Obviously, it was not Grace you saw at the chapel—if indeed you saw anyone at all. And dead women don’t laugh. Why are you troubling me with this?”

“You claim you are revenging yourself on me because I hurt someone dear to you. Who have I harmed?” She followed him into the stable. The air was warm and dusty with hay motes. “Why don’t you answer me? What are you afraid of?”

Branson removed the saddle from the horse’s back and wrenched off his cloak. He rolled up his sleeves and began to brush the horse vigorously. “The only thing I’m afraid of, cousin, is that when I take you tonight I shall enjoy myself too much to let you go.

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.