Crystal Passion by Jo Goodman

Author:Jo Goodman [Goodman, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780821763087
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 1999-08-31T23:00:00+00:00

She was alone in the music room, finishing the last of Rae's needlework, when Charity found her. Ashley only had to glance up the merest second to see that not only had she been found but that she had been found out. She out her needle down and slid the wooden frame to one side as Charity closed the door behind her.

Charity sat in the love seat opposite Ashley and for a time said nothing. She regarded her with keen blue eyes, searching out each one of the secrets. When she spoke, she said the one thing Ashley had never expected to hear.

"I was carrying Jerusalem when I married Robert." Ashley could only blink at this announcement. "I thought knowing might give you cause to change your mind about leaving us. Meg's told me that you've put a valise aside."

Ashley's shoulders sagged. Trust Meg to find the thing and spoil her plans. "I must leave soon," she said with quiet conviction. "I was going to speak to you after dinner about lending me the money for my passage. I appreciate you telling me aboutabout Salembut it changes nothing. I must go."

Charity went on relentlessly, unwilling to accept Ashley's stoic resignation. "It is Salem's child you're carrying, isn't it?"

"Yes, but you mustn't think he is to blame. He doesn't know that he fathered my child." A small smile curved one corner of her mouth. "Or children."

"I see," Charity said slowly. "I was afraid that might be the way of it when you ran from the table. Perhaps you should tell me the whole."

Certain that Charity could not be appeased with anything less than the truth, Ashley explained haltingly of Salem's illness on the Oleander .

"Salem has a right to know what happened," she said when Ashley finished. "He'll want to know that he's fathered a child and he'll want to marry you."

"I know," Ashley replied sadly. "But don't you see, he'll marry me for the wrong reasons. I want him to love me."

"And you don't think he does?"

She shook her head. She could not bring herself to explain Salem's continued coolness toward her; that it had started because she had allowed him so many liberties in the clearing. "I think he cares for me. But love? No, I don't think he loves me."

Charity could have told her she was wrong, but she didn't think she would be believed. "And you will only marry for love?"

"Yes." Too late she realized the trap Charity had laid for her.

"And you think you will find love with the man Nigel chose for you?"

"That is different. What I meant is that Salem must many for love, else he will feel as if he had no choice."

"So you believe you must return to linfield?"

Ashley's reply was choked. "Yes, there is no other way."

"Of course there is," Charity said crisply. "Your place is with us now."

She said it so convincingly Ashley almost believed her. "At first I hopedbutbut nowit would seem better that I go. Don't upset yourself, Charity.

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