Crossed in Love by Patricia Rice

Author:Patricia Rice
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2017-09-11T21:00:00+00:00

Angry shouts echoed up and down the hallways, vibrating through the normally sedate Thorogood household. Blanche sent her sister a speculative look as Carolyn sat reading in the far corner of the library. Carolyn’s air of indifference didn’t fool her this time. She looked like one who hadn’t slept in weeks, and the book she held was upside-down. Something was going on, but no one had given thought to informing Blanche.

Carolyn didn’t seem surprised when the footman came to fetch her. She shook out the warm yellow skirts of the wool gown she had donned, wasted no time tidying her loose arrangement of curls, and proceeded out, as if walking to her execution.

Her father at least had the decency to leave them alone, Carolyn observed as she entered the study to find only Jack waiting. He had that haunted look on his face again, but his eyes were warm as they took in her appearance. He made no attempt at an improper embrace, as he might have in earlier years, but Carolyn felt his desire to do so. She was grateful for his restraint.

“How is Amy?” Although she had left the child little more than an hour ago, it seemed much longer. She would hear this news first, before the argument to follow.

“Sleeping when I left her. Your maid brought the basket of remedies. I thank you for your concern.”

His formality indicated uneasiness. Carolyn could understand that. Her father could have that effect on heads of state. Nervously she took a seat and clasped her hands in her lap. “You needn’t look like that, Jack. He doesn’t bite.”

Jack made a wry smile. “I wouldn’t swear to that. He’s in the right of it, though. I have compromised you beyond repair. I’m obliged to offer for you.”

She had hoped he would phrase it a little less bluntly. It would be soothing to her injured feelings to hear him mouth a few of the pretty phrases he was so good at saying. Just for a little while she would like to cling to the illusion of those long-ago years.

Her smile matched his as she replied, “I am obliged to refuse.”

Jack’s shoulders slumped and he turned to play with the candlesticks on the mantel rather than reveal his expression. “You cannot, Carolyn. That Higginbotham woman is spreading word far and wide. I could slit her throat, but the damage will already be done.”

She had not expected that. Carolyn contemplated her alternatives, but her ability to think straight had flown out the door when Jack entered it. She shook her head in hopes of freeing it from cobwebs. “We can deny everything. I’ll not be forced into marriage.”

“I knew you would say that.” Bleakly he turned back to face her. “Can you not even consider it, Carolyn? Would it be so horrible a fate? I’m quite wealthy now, you know. I can support you in any manner that you choose.”

Carolyn rose and gave him a cold glare at this insult. “What does wealth have to do with it? I would have married you when you were penniless, but you preferred gold to me.

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