Better Than She Deserved by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books
Published: 2017-05-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

“Mr. Rhett has been at your side at every turn,” Louisa said two days later as she climbed up on the bed next to Caroline. “And tomorrow is the third day since his overtures in the garden.” She placed a pillow between her back and the bedpost so that she could rest against it with more comfort. “Will you accept his offer?”

Caroline had, of course, been required to tell her sister all that had happened in the garden. “If he is going to purchase an estate in a timely manner, then yes, I believe I will accept.”

Louisa hugged her knees tightly and squealed softly. It was late, or perhaps she might have been more vocal in her delight. “Hurst assures me that he is indeed purchasing an estate. Letters have been sent, and the agreement should not be far off.”

“That is what Mr. Rhett has told me as well,” said Caroline. “He seems to understand the importance of such things. It is a good quality to find in a gentleman.”

“Do you like or, perhaps, love him?” Louisa tipped her head and studied her sister’s face.

Caroline fidgeted. She had been considering that very fact. She knew in reality that she had no options open to her since the other gentlemen in attendance had shown her very little attention, and what they had shown had either been a haughty demeanor or a winking eye with a wish to find a secluded corner.

“It matters not,” Caroline replied. “I must have a husband by the end of this party, and I do not see another stepping forward.”

Louisa gasped, and her mouth dropped open. “But would you wish for another to step forward. Has not Mr. Rhett been kind and attentive? Has he not shown you respect and stared down at least two men who have spoken to you meanly?”

Caroline would have liked to have forgotten about the comments Mr. Pritchard and Mr. Thompson had made about her. She neither liked being referred to as a shrew or a pleasant way to warm your bed. She was not intended to hear the comments, but she had, and Rhett had been at her side and heard them as well.

“I thought it very likely that he was going to call one or the other out, and, I can tell you,” Louisa leaned forward and whispered, “for I have sneaked a peek at the men while they are training in the morning, that I do not think any man would stand a chance against Mr. Rhett. He is very adept with a sword.”

Caroline smiled. Her sister was not the only one who had dared to catch a glimpse of the gentleman as they sparred. Rhett did cut a fine figure. “While I can admire his swordsmanship, it does not necessitate that I love or even like him.” Did it? She had spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about him and writing the letter R in her notebook.

“Do you not think you would suit?” Louisa asked.

“Whether one suits or does not suit does not indicate love either,” Caroline retorted and then sighed.

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