My Dashing Groom by Shannon Donnelly

Author:Shannon Donnelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2012-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

Six

Linnet waited until he was out of the room, but then could not contain her ire. “I don’t know how you can bear that ... that egotistical, wretched, sophist. That snob, that knave ...”

“Lin, stop it!”

Linnet looked at her sister in amazement. Jess had a look of sharp anger on her face.

“What is it, Jess?”

“Did you really expect his family to welcome me with open arms?” She moved irritably on her pillow. “Did you?”

“Well, I ...”

“How naive! It is completely natural for Nic to have reservations about me. I am Cedric’s mistress! Naturally this marriage is not at all what his family could hope for for him. Cedric is the Earl of Cairngrove! Do you know what that means? I am not fit ...” Her expression crumpled and her face twisted. “Oh, oh, Lin, I think I am going to be ill!”

Linnet spent the next half hour helping Jessica and then putting her to bed. She was uneasy and descended the stairs slowly, trailing her fingers on the railing. Jessica did not seem to be getting any better but would not see a doctor. Insisted it was not necessary. If she persisted in such idiotic behavior, Linnet would just go ahead and find one for her sister anyway.

“Miss,”a footman called, “the gentleman is still here and expressed a wish to see you alone.” The footman bowed and indicated the parlor off the hall.

“The gentleman? Do you mean Mr. Barton?” Linnet was appalled.

“Yes, miss.”

Linnet took a deep breath and stiffened her spine. If he was still here then he would bear the brunt of her rage. No one was going to disparage her sister and get away with it. She strode into the parlor to find Barton gazing out the window, his handsome face set in a serious expression. He turned as she entered and gave her a rueful glance.

He opened up his arms in a welcoming gesture and said, “Well, have at me, Miss Pelham. I deserve it.”

It disconcerted her, his ready acceptance of her anger. So, being Linnet and hating to be predictable, she smiled instead, and said, “Whatever do you mean, sir?”

He let his arms drop and turned back to the window. “I was looking out at the garden opposite just now. It is gated and locked. Is that right? To lock away our only little bits of nature in this most unnatural of cities? It is like jealously guarding anything worth viewing so that those we deem unworthy cannot enjoy it. As if enjoyment of it by others somehow taints it for us.”

Linnet shook her head. “I have no idea what we are talking about and cannot be expected to make a sensible answer.”

He turned back and gazed steadily at her. “And are you so very afraid of making a nonsensical answer?”

“I do not wish to look ridiculous, if that is what you are asking.”

“I suppose what I am really saying is ...”

“What are you still here for, Mr. Barton?”

“Ah, no time for nonsense. It was not really nonsense, you know; I had a point.

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