Bought for Revenge by Sarah Mallory

Author:Sarah Mallory [Mallory, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780373306725
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-08-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Annabelle remained on her feet until the door closed behind him. Only then did she collapse on to a chair, trembling. How dare he, how dare he add this insult to the rest? She would not cry, this was beyond tears.

When the trembling ceased she went into the gardens, but even there it was impossible to think clearly. The heady perfume of the roses, the beautifully scythed lawns, every scent, every image combined to bring home to her just what she would lose in a few weeks’ time.

Unless I marry Lucas Blackstone.

That was a price she would not pay, but even as she told herself so another voice told her she must at least consider it. Her decision would affect not only her life but her father’s, and everyone at Oakenroyd. She could remain mistress here, her father’s comfort would be assured.

And the alternative?

She exhaled and looked up, staring at the cloudless blue sky. It was all very well for her to choose to live in penury, but could she expect her father to do so? His health was not good. What if he became ill? There would be doctors’ bills, medicines. Could she risk his health when all that was asked of her was that she marry Lucas Blackstone? The irony was that before the truth of his identity was known, before she had learned his outrageous plans for revenge, she would have been only too pleased to comply.

Belle went into the house to look for her father. She found him in his library, reading. He roused himself when she came in, greeting her with a kindly smile.

‘My love, have you come to tell me it is time for luncheon already?’

‘No, dear Papa, we have a while yet, but I wanted to talk to you.’

‘That sounds serious.’

‘It is. I presume there has been no further news from Mr Telford?’

‘No way out of our difficulties, if that is what you mean. But there is some good news. Telford tells me that Blackstone has written to assure him that he means to keep on all the staff at Oakenroyd, if they wish to remain. Everything is to continue just as it is. So that will be a comfort, will it not? I was very much afraid that my improvident spending would mean they would all be turned off.’

She tried to smile. ‘That is indeed a relief, sir.’ She took a chair opposite him. ‘Papa, what if…’ She clasped her hands together. ‘What if there was a way we could keep Oakenroyd?’

He gave a wistful smile. ‘Ah, if only.’

She took a deep breath. ‘Papa, what if I were to marry Mr Blackstone?’

There, she had said it.

‘Marry Lucas Blackstone? What is this, my love?’

‘He came here this morning and—and made me an offer. He said if I married him then we could carry on living here, as before. Of course, when Morwood is finished he and I would move there, but you would be able to live on here, as you have always done.

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