Good Earls Don't Lie by Michelle Willingham

Author:Michelle Willingham [Willingham, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503939769
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2016-09-26T23:00:00+00:00

Sunlight brightened the sky, and Rose waited for Lord Ashton upon the stone bench where she spent time out of doors each day. Calvert had brought her this far, but she did not want the footman to know of her plans for the morning. She had dismissed him, telling him not to return for her until later.

In her palm, she held the iron key that fit into the garden lock. Though she shouldn’t have been uneasy about visiting her father’s private sanctuary, it felt a bit like awakening his ghost.

She heard the soft footsteps of Lord Ashton and turned to greet him. He wore one of the unfashionable coats from his belongings, and she noted how the cuffs were too short. The coat itself hung upon his frame, as if it had been fitted to a larger man.

She frowned, wondering if the clothes had ever fit him properly. It seemed as if he were wearing another man’s clothing. Why had he brought them, if they did not fit? Were they all he had?

“Good morning, a chara,” he greeted her.

“And to you.” She held up the iron key. “Shall we go?”

He leaned down, and she lifted her arms up, allowing him to carry her. Although it was a short walk to the walled garden, with every step, she grew more self-conscious about being in this man’s arms. He was strong and lean, and he had a way of carrying her that felt like an embrace. With her arms around his neck, she nestled her face against his shoulder.

For a fragile moment, she let herself succumb to the feeling of security, forbidden though it was. She had a strong friendship with a man who needed her help—just as she needed his.

When they reached the door covered with rose brambles, he lowered her to stand. Rose placed the key inside the lock and turned it. The door opened easily, the hinges silent. She stood at the doorway but could not yet see the garden.

“Do you want me to carry you inside?” he asked. She nodded, and he lifted her up once again, bringing her into the walled space.

The moment she saw the flowers in bloom, tears welled up in her eyes. All around her, it was as if her father’s spirit remained. She couldn’t help but remember how he used to bring flowers to her mother each morning. The loss of him caught her without warning.

Roses climbed across the brick wall, and were only starting to bloom. In another corner, she saw bright red tulips and purple grape hyacinths blooming. A hydrangea bush was budding, and a willow tree hung low over a clear pool of water. A waterfall descended over a few larger stones into the pool, and sunlight reflected in a golden shimmer over the surface of the water. The pool was so clear, she could see the river stones lining the bottom.

Lord Ashton set her down upon a stone bench beneath the willow tree. He walked around the perimeter, studying the flowers.

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