Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White

Author:Roseanna M. White
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736951005
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

Sixteen

Ben smiled at the footman and stepped into the cool entryway of Hampton Hall. “Morning, Thomas.”

“Mr. Lane.” The man smiled in return. “Miss Reeves is out back, I believe. If you will have a seat in the drawing room, I shall send someone to fetch her.”

Though the servant had been reaching for his hat, Ben dropped his hand at that news. “No need for that, Thomas. We would undoubtedly end up in the garden anyway. I shall go find her out there.”

“As you like, sir.”

Ben hummed as he traversed the familiar corridors of the stately house, relieved when he gained the back door without running into either of the Hamptons. He wanted to see Winter. Needed to see her to determine if she had taken their talk last night to heart, but he could do without her grandparents today.

Pushing open the door into the garden, the sound of hammer upon slate met his ears. Given the intensity of the sun beating down, Ben did not envy the workman the task of roof repair, that was for certain.

He paused for a moment in the shade of the eaves to look about for Winter. She was nowhere, so far as he could see. Not near the roses, not on the bench beneath the arbor, not under the tulip tree, where she sometimes reposed. Had Thomas been mistaken?

Finally he caught sight of her graceful movements at the stable door. He frowned at first, unable to imagine her grandparents allowing her to spend time out there. But then he saw Freeman behind her, and it made sense. Of course she would be at his side whenever she could manage it, he being the only tie she had left to her Long Island home.

He took a step forward but paused when she came more fully into view. She wore a dress plainer than he usually saw on her, a light color appropriate for summer but unadorned, so far as he could tell, and her hair was in a braid. The vision made him smile. Perhaps it was wishful thinking, but this seemed more like the Winter who lived beneath the mask. And if so, there may be hope for them yet. For this Winter, more beautiful than ever in simplicity, may get on quite well in Connecticut.

She headed his way, spotted him, and lifted a hand in greeting. He saw that she smiled but wished they were closer so he could discern the flavor of it. Was it genuine? Perhaps embarrassed, after their gentle embrace last night? Regretful?

He hoped not regretful. He didn’t know if he could suffer it if she chose, yet again, to keep her heart hidden.

But as she drew nearer he couldn’t help but think that hers was not an expression of a woman floating on a cloud of romance. She looked tired, pained. And her smile seemed uncertain at best.

Blast. He might as well turn and leave. What was the point of going through this yet again? The progress, the hope, and then the disappointment when she reverted back to her old ways.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.