Edge of Darkness by C. J. Archer

Author:C. J. Archer [Archer, C. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00NUI5QG2
Goodreads: 23119193
Publisher: Smashwords Edition
Published: 2014-09-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Sylvia extricated herself from Tommy's grip and squared her shoulders. "Whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of Cara and Charity."

"It can't," he said with quiet determination.

"Then I won't be going anywhere alone with you. Excuse me, Dawson, I have a headache." She walked off and he went to follow her.

"Let her go," I said.

"Don't lecture me, Charity." He stormed off, leaving me feeling drained and overwhelmingly sad. I should have been relieved that something had come between Sylvia and Tommy, something that would make them see they were wrong for one another. But I wasn't. My friends were both miserable and I couldn't be relieved about that.

Cara accompanied the stable lad inside as he carried our purchases. The boxes reached well over his head and she caught the topmost one as it slid off. Their laughter drifted back to me. I was about to follow when I caught sight of Bert and Malborough on the small paved patio close to the house. Bert lounged on a bench seat and Malborough leaned against one of the large urns that guarded the exit to the lawn. Both watched me. Malborough lifted a hand and waved. Bert rose.

I hurried on. They were the last two people I wanted to speak to.

"Charity!" Bert called out. "Wait a moment!"

He said something to Malborough, who slapped him on the shoulder before going inside through the door that led directly into the sitting room. I hoped he didn't chase after Sylvia and insist upon an answer.

Bert made his way to me. I quickly walked toward the house. He extended his strides.

"Charity, wait, please."

I stopped, not because I wanted to hear what he had to say, but because if I were to conquer my fear, I had to face him. Besides, I was near the house now. He wouldn't dare touch me.

"That's close enough," I said when he was still out of arm's reach. "Say what you want to say from there. But I'm warning you, if you only wish to renew your offer, I'll walk off. I cannot make myself any clearer on that matter than I already have."

He held up his hands. "I understand. And it's not that, I promise you. Believe me, I don't wish to court my brother's wrath any more than I already have. Brotherly ties don't seem to mean that much to him of late."

I wasn't sure if he expected me to sympathize or explain Samuel's state of mind so I said nothing.

"I only want to ask you why you didn't tell him the truth last night? You let him think there was something between us. I've been wracking my brain all day as to what your motive could have been, but I can't come up with one."

I frowned at him. I'd thought my motive was obvious. Samuel had certainly caught onto it very quickly. "I don't want to ruin his life."

"Ah." His lips flattened. "By agreeing to marry him, you mean?"

"I'm glad you finally understand.

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