THE RAKE AND THE BISHOP'S DAUGHTER (The Friendship Series Book 3) by Julia Donner

Author:Julia Donner [Donner, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-07-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Determined to overcome apprehension and enact her plan, Olivia halted in front of the impressive granite mansion in Cavendish Square. She’d left the carriage and walked around and by it for the last twenty minutes, dredging up the courage to knock. The weight of what she must overcome had kept her awake most of the night.

Harry worshiped his sister-in-law, and in Olivia’s imagination, Lady Asterly had become an individual of impossible perfection. Fixed with the notion of introducing herself to this paragon before the soiree, she’d set out early that morning with determination. She would create a favorable impression before the event and thereby have an ally.

Standing before Asterly House, she scarcely noticed the sharp September wind penetrating her spencer and chapping her cheeks. The niggling urgency to gain Lady Asterly’s good regard overwhelmed her practical nature. Something drew her here, drove her out of her grandfather’s house and to Cavendish. She felt compelled to explain that she hadn’t meant to hurt Harry last spring and didn’t share her family’s opinions. She wouldn’t tell Lady Asterly that she had no confidence that an aging widow could secure Handsome Harry’s affections. His interest still struck her as incredible.

Her hesitation to brazenly force herself on Harry’s family was decided by an apron-covered manservant sweeping the walkway. Noticing her dithering at the entry gate, he bowed and went up the steps to rap the knocker for her. She bolstered her resolve, inhaled courage and exhaled cowardice.

With a nod of thanks to the servant who came back down to open the gate, she climbed the steps and entered the door a footman held open wide. The chill wind pushed at her back, urging her forward and into the enveloping warmth of the foyer. Behind her, the heavy door closed with a thump.

The impressive expanse of black-and-white-checkered floor gleamed. More wigged servants lingered in front of doors, moved in the hallways, and monitored the first floor gallery. The place appeared crowded with them in a time when the larger houses were cutting down on staff.

A gentleman descended the wide staircase. There was a peculiar familiarity about the way he moved and the tilt of his head. He reminded her of Harry even though they shared little physical resemblance. Where Harry was lean, swift, and crackled with contained energy, his brother was powerfully built, his tread measured and yet assertive.

Lord Asterly’s sand-colored hair had a lazy natural wave, his eyes marine blue-green and coldly assessing. Tanned, strong-planed features showed the result of the many years at war that Harry had mentioned. A celebrated Peninsular War hero, numerous injuries had never stopped Asterly from returning to battle.

The baron’s swift appraisal left her with an understanding of what wayward subordinates to Major Lord Asterly had endured. They would have made sure they never displeased him a second time. He remained on the steps, having halted midway, to estimate the visitor from a distance and on higher ground. His hawk-like, impersonal stare made her skin prickle.

A butler came

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.