Lady Thorn by Catherine Archer

Author:Catherine Archer
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance, Historical Romance, Love Story
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2011-07-14T14:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Victoria tried her very best to concentrate on what Mr. Fuller was saying to her. He had come up from the country to bring some paperwork that would not wait for her return.

Unfortunately, her efforts to focus her attention were meeting with little success. As had become her habit, she was thinking of Jedidiah. She knew he was not happy about the things she had said to him the night of the ball. In the past two days he had, if it was possible, become even more remote than before. There was very little conversation between them, and he was rarely in her company.

She knew she had gone too far in confronting him so directly. His view of the world was not her affair.

But even when she was angry with him and frustrated at his lack of understanding, she was still attracted to him. His strength and sense of personal honor drew her as the sun drew the roses from their buds.

If only, she told herself, things could be different.

Unconsciously she sighed.

Mr. Fuller coughed, drawing her attention. “Forgive me, Lady Victoria, I have kept you too long.”

She looked to him in surprise, and some embarrassment. “No, forgive me. I became distracted for a moment. You came all this way, and we must finish.”

He stood, gathering his papers together. “With all due respect, my lady, I find I, too, am tired. Might we please finish in the morning, before I return to Briarwood?”

Knowing the man’s sudden exhaustion stemmed from a concern for her, Victoria nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Fuller.”

He bowed, and she rose to see him to the door. As they left the library, she said, “Mrs. Dunn has prepared a room for you. I hope you will be comfortable.”

“I’m sure I will, my lady,” he replied, seeming pleased at her solicitude.

Just as they moved out into the hallway, a sheet of paper fell from the stack in the estate manager’s hands. He bent to retrieve it. As he did so, he paused, looking at it with a frown. He then turned to Victoria, indicating the sheet. “If you don’t mind, my lady, there is one thing that I have kept neglecting to mention to you.”

She nodded. “Of course. What is it?”

“It’s the boilers, madam, the ones that were meant for shipment to Germany. With the advent of the Crimean War last year, they were not sent. There are still a number of them in your warehouse. Surely we should find another buyer?”

A male voice spoke from behind them. “Boilers?”

Victoria turned to see Jedidiah McBride standing behind them. It was apparent from his attire that he had been out riding. He was taking off a pair of kidskin gloves even as he spoke. “Did I hear this man say you have some boilers for sale?”

She answered as evenly as possible, for he was so very handsome with his dark blond hair tousled by the wind and the quickening scent of spring all around him. “Yes, he did say that.”

He barely looked at her as he turned to the other man.

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