Scandalizing the Ton by Diane Gaston

Author:Diane Gaston [Gaston, Diane]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance, historical
ISBN: 9780373295166
Google: TTsHewAhhkUC
Goodreads: 3926762
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2008-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

Lydia’s back ached and her ankles were swollen by the time they pulled into the Old Crown Inn at Edenbridge.

Adrian appeared at the door to help her alight. “We will stay here for the night.”

The sky was still light, but Lydia was glad they would not travel any farther. Adrian took her hand as she manoeuvred herself out of the door, her belly preceding her. He then assisted Mary.

“I rode ahead and arranged a parlour and a meal.” He gave her his arm and walked with her across the yard to the inn’s door on the street.

Before they entered, she said, “I should like to walk a little, if you do not mind.” Her legs felt restless and she was certain the ache in her back would disappear if only she could move around.

Mary had already gone in a back door with Lydia’s portmanteau.

Lydia glanced around. The street led to the bridge over the river. “I will only walk to the bridge and back.”

Adrian frowned. “I will accompany you.”

They walked in silence, their progress slow, because Lydia could not move fast these days. Still, moving felt much better than being cramped inside the carriage. Walking eased the ache in her back, as she had hoped. The air was fresh, and the village pretty with its mix of white Tudor, red brick and brownstone buildings.

They reached the bridge and leaned on its wall to watch the river flow under it.

Lydia’s legs shook, but she was uncertain if that was due to being confined or because he had not spoken to her.

She took a breath. “Tell me about this house where we will be staying.”

“Nickerham Priory?” He shrugged. “It was once the home of Augustinian monks until Henry VIII had the lands seized.” He glanced down at the water flowing under the bridge. “Almost all the monks died of the plague, it is told, but at night when the wind is just right, you can hear their ghostly voices chanting.”

She turned to him. “You are jesting with me.”

There was a twinkle in his eye. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”

She inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and felt heartened by his good humour. “Has the property been in your family since Henry VIII?”

He shook his head. “Not at all.” He paused. “It has been in Tanner’s family that long, however.”

She gasped. “Do you mean Lord Tannerton’s family?”

“Yes. It is Tanner’s property. He offered me the use of it for the summer.”

“Oh, how awful,” she groaned.

“Not awful.” He sounded defensive. “It is quite a fine place.”

“But I cannot impose on Lord Tannerton,” she said. “Not after…” She almost said her former husband’s name, a name she hoped never to speak aloud again.

He fixed his gaze on her. “Tanner does not hold you responsible for what Wexin did.”

“He cannot consider me innocent.” she said. “Surely his wife cannot.”

He made a dismissive gesture. “Nickerham is a pleasant place, and no one will find us there. Tanner offered the house to me for the summer and even he knows nothing of our—connection.

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.