His Christmas Nymph by Mathews Marly

Author:Mathews, Marly [Mathews, Marly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marly Mathews
Published: 2014-10-03T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Steel entered Edward’s blue eyes. Something changed within his gaze. He looked devilishly determined. The soldier inside of him was coming out.

She didn’t really want to leave him—she only wanted to leave him on principle. His family had wronged her mother and she couldn’t, in all good faith stick it out with him. Even if her heart pained and she felt faint at the very prospect of never seeing him again.

“If you leave this house, your family must also leave Banbury House, posthaste. I will not have you trespassing on my family’s charity any longer.”

His words were purposely cruel, and struck to the quick, even though she could see he forced himself to say them. He was grasping now. He was trying to throw his weight around—and he would have succeeded, had she cared what happened to her family—or had she cared what happened to herself.

Her father would find a way, he always did, and she didn’t care about Gertrude. Gertrude had a strong constitution, she would be able to weather this storm. She would moan and groan and Caroline didn’t know if she could stand listening to her go on about the whole sorry state of affairs. The woman could whine better than a petulant child.

The sound of a huge commotion met their ears. The dogs sat up and barked and ran to their master’s side.

“Where is my son?” A woman’s voice met their ears. The voice was strong and sounded faintly of a French accent.

The Library doors burst opened. Two footmen flanked the doors. The vision in vibrant red that stood in the doorway commanded Caroline’s gaze. It was as if she’d been spellbound. This woman was not quietly reserved like her son. No indeed, she was a woman who wanted the attention of everyone in the room. In fact, she commanded it!

“Teddy!” the woman cried, opening her arms. “Come and kiss your dear Mama,” she said.

The woman spoke in such an affected way that she must have been acting. Though she looked as if she didn’t have a care in the world and only adored her son, Caroline could see her assessing the tense scene she’d walked in on. She was studying her and her father most intensely.

Surprisingly enough, he obeyed his mother. She engulfed him in a tight hug and then allowed him to kiss each of her cheeks.

“Such a handsome boy.” She smiled, and patted his cheek lovingly, and in that moment, Caroline saw genuine emotion cross her beautiful features. No matter how she might seem, the woman did love Edward.

The Duchess’ beauty put Caroline’s looks to shame. She had the face of a Goddess!

“Who are these people, Teddy? Come, you must introduce your Mama to them.”

He sighed. “My apologies, Mama. This is Mr. Griffiths and his daughter, Miss Caroline Griffiths. Mr. Griffiths, Miss Griffiths, this is my mother, Genevieve Rochester, Duchess of Whitney.”

Caroline curtsied obediently and her father bowed. In return, Genevieve delicately inclined her head to them.

“Your Grace, we shan’t tread on your kindness much longer.

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