Lisa Bingham by The Other Groom

Author:The Other Groom [Groom, The Other]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Silence settled over the little group gathered around the manor steps. An awkward, uncomfortable silence. Even Bitsy had the good grace to shrink back in John’s arms and make herself as invisible as possible.

Summoning what she hoped was a gracious smile, Louisa lifted her hand and took a step forward. “I’m so please to meet you… Boyd.”

The man’s expression didn’t soften an iota. If anything, his gaze became even harder and his lips pressed into a narrow line. He made no attempt to meet her halfway or to take her hand, and Louisa felt a betraying heat seep into her cheeks.

“So this is the latest money-grubbing ne’er-do-well that our brother has brought home,” he growled.

Louisa froze, stunned by the dislike and disapproval that dripped from the man’s tone.

“You must be proud of yourself. You’ve been the only wife to outlast the old coot—and inherit a chunk of the family wealth to boot, I’m sure.”

“Boyd, please.” Beatrice rushed forward to place a hand on her brother’s arm. “You’re being rude.”

“Rude? How can a woman such as this deserve anything less? She’s nothing more than a—”

“Boyd!”

Boyd stood with his hands clenched, then abruptly turned. “I’ve got work to do.”

His boots thumped hollowly as he strode away, slamming the heavy front door behind him.

For several long moments there was no other sound, only the faint cooing of a dove—a mournful sound that merely underscored the gloomy atmosphere that had settled over the assembled group.

Beatrice wrung her hands together. “Please, I know that my brother’s actions have been unforgivable, but try to excuse him. Charles’s death has left so many extra burdens on his shoulders that…” Her words petered off as she realized Boyd’s actions had been beyond polite explanation.

Forcing a smile to her lips, Beatrice lifted her skirts and quickly descended the steps. “I am so pleased to meet you, Louisa. It is Louisa, isn’t it?”

Louisa nodded, still numb from Boyd’s hostile reception.

But if Boyd’s reaction to Louisa’s arrival had been venomous, his sister’s was delighted.

“I’m so sorry that we weren’t able to make preparations for a more proper welcome. We only just received the news of Charles’s death and his marriage in a telegram that arrived yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Louisa echoed, horrified.

When she turned to question Mr. Pritchard, Beatrice quickly explained, “We’ve been away, you see. Boyd has been in Chicago on business, and I’ve been tending to an elderly aunt, who has also recently passed. If we’d known that Charles was ill…”

Beatrice’s voice caught, but after dabbing her eyes, she fixed a beaming smile on her lips. “You must be exhausted. Traveling always makes me so tired, even if only a short distance. Come, let’s go into the house.”

She looped her arms through Louisa’s, drawing her forward. “With our own late arrival, the house is in turmoil, but I have managed to set up a room for you in the east turret—one of the prettiest, in my opinion. It’s a bit stuffy after being closed up for so long, but I opened the windows early this morning, so it should be fairly comfortable by now.

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