Tapestry by Karen Ranney

Author:Karen Ranney
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Historical
ISBN: 9780821749029
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 1995-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-two

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She sighed as the crate of books was carried past her into the library. What a pity she had not time for a

good book today. This morning she had planned to arrange for Alex's birthday present to be installed in

their bedroom. At least she was, until Jane thought it her duty to smother her with more attention. Of

course she knew better than to move the circular mahogany table by herself; that was why she had

summoned one of the footmen to assist her. And of course she would not usurp the maids' place and

straighten up the room before the new desk was carried in and arranged in the entrance to the

conservatory. But couldn't she at least move the small rug lying upon the polished wooden floor so that

she would get some idea how the desk would look there?

She would have stayed to watch them carry the heavy desk up from the wagon, but Jane was badgering

her to rest, for heaven's sake. As if she wouldn't have months and months to rest. She sighed heavily, not

at all pleased with her old nurse's instructions. She was no longer five years old, for heaven's sake! She

ascended the stairs to the state bedroom, her mouth wreathed in a grin. If she was still five years old, she

thought, chuckling, she wouldn't be in this condition in the first place!

But Jane could still be as stubborn as she had been when Laura wanted to explore the woods, or play in

the mud with her best doll, or touch that wonderful plant that ate flies. Jane simply did not understand.

Despite the fact that Jane was obstinately refusing to comprehend that she felt wonderful, and not at all

sick, Laura was glad of her presence. Although she was ashamed to secretly admit that she had not

missed her nurse—in fact, she would not miss anyone as long as Alex was there—she

impulsively hugged the old woman now. She was shocked to feel the fragility of her bones and, seeing the

wrinkles around her pursed lips and the long lines near her eyes, resolved to speak to Alex soon about

Jane's pension. She did not want her old nurse to want for anything, nor feel that she had to continue to

stay in service only to keep body and soul together.

"And what's all this about, then?" Jane asked, but Laura could see that she was pleased by the hug,

despite her grumbling. Truth to tell, she suspected that Jane was still a little irate for being kept waiting

these long months until her honeymoon was over. But Laura had wanted nothing and no one, even so

beloved a person as Jane, to interrupt the two of them, or mar those beautiful months alone.

The last year had been the most wonderful of her life. Alex was not only the most wonderful lover any

young girl could have dreamed of, but he was an amusing companion, a cherished friend, a challenging

chess partner, and a witty and thoughtful conversationalist. Their talks, and their arguments, ranged from

the Hanoverian rulers to the role of women in modern-day England.

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