Chance Encounters by Wells Linda

Author:Wells, Linda [Wells, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2008-09-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

“Such a lovely garden, perhaps a little too formal and fussy, but it is a pleasure to view.” Kathleen Miller turned to look at her charge. Anne de Bourgh lay still, finally finding the peace of sleep after moving fretfully for hours. Her former companion, Mrs. Jenkinson, realized that she would soon die and when she had the opportunity to take a position as companion to another young lady, she quit her position at Rosings and departed. Kathleen, the daughter of a gentleman with a very small estate left to her older brother, had no dowry. Upon coming of age four years previously with no prospects for marriage, she was urged to find her life as a lady’s companion. She seemed to have made it a specialty to care for the dying. It was not a conscious decision; it simply worked out that way. She thought that her next position should be as a governess before she gained the reputation as an “angel of death.”

She was pretty, with dark brown hair, and wide, sparkling hazel eyes that were often crinkled in laughter. She found that humour aided in both easing the way for dying charges to pass peacefully, and for her to tolerate the atmosphere of sadness that permeated every home where she lived. Possessing a great amount of time to entertain herself sitting by bedsides, she was increasingly well-read, and was always ready to enjoy well-informed conversation when she had the rare opportunity.

The sound of a carriage coming up the drive led her back to the window. Kathleen watched with interest as an older gentleman and a younger man dressed in an officer’s uniform exited. She was told by Lady Catherine that her brother, Lord Matlock and his son, Colonel Fitzwilliam, the heir of Rosings, were coming to visit Lady Anne for a few days.

Her cynical side wondered if the colonel was more likely coming to view the estate than to see his cousin, and if he would actually set foot into the sickroom. She heard the sounds of servants bringing in the trunks to the bedchambers across the hall. About a half hour later she heard a firm knock on the door. She rose and opened it to the most glorious example of masculinity that she had ever seen. She blushed and her eyes instantly dropped to the floor.

Richard stood, stunned, as one of the loveliest women he had ever encountered stood in blushing agitation before him. She looked so very familiar. “Excuse me; I have come to visit my cousin. Is Miss de Bourgh awake?”

Willing herself to breathe, Kathleen raised her eyes to his. She found the deep blue eyes searching her face. What are you looking for? She wondered. “Yes, sir, I mean, no, sir, she is asleep at the moment but you could come and sit with her. She does not rest for very long.”

Richard smiled warmly at her, “Thank you, I will. Seeing Anne was the reason for my visit.” He stepped into the room and walked to the bed.

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