The Garden Series Box Set by Cynthia Wicklund

Author:Cynthia Wicklund
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, love, victorian, collection, sensual, regency, historical 1800s
Publisher: Cynthia Wicklund

*****

“Simon’s come?” Jillian cried. She jumped up from the chair where she sat in the morning room, having removed a pair of mud-encrusted work boots. “Where?” she asked the maid who had delivered the news.

“In the parlor, miss,” Hannah replied. Jillian headed for the door. “I wonder why he is here. I don’t think it’s Cassandra’s time yet.”

“My lady?”

She turned back to the maid. “Yes?”

“Your gown is rather dirty. Do you think perhaps…?”

“Simon doesn’t stand on ceremony,” Jillian said, examining the mud that clung to her clothing and the bare toes that peeked from beneath the hem of her skirt.

“But, my lady—”

“Oh, all right, Hannah, if you insist.”

Jillian moved to the mirror on the wall over the sideboard and looked at herself. She dampened her pinky finger with her tongue and ran it daintily over each eyebrow. She glanced this way and that, pretending to study the effect as her dark hair, carelessly tied at the nape of her neck, swung to and fro down her back.

“There, that’s an improvement. I know Simon will appreciate my efforts.”

“Yes, my lady,” Hannah said through lips so tight with disapproval, Jillian was not certain she saw the maid’s mouth move when she spoke.

“Good. Now I can get on with the business of greeting my brother.”

Jillian left the morning room and dashed down the hall. In the parlor Simon stood next to the fireplace, and she danced across the carpet, throwing herself into his arms.

“Simon, it’s been weeks,” she said, hugging him tightly. “What brings you here? It isn’t Cassandra’s time yet, is it?”

“No, it’s not Cassandra’s time,” he said. He pulled back and surveyed her with a critical eye.

Did she detect censure in his attitude? His cool reception, along with the notion that Hannah might have been right, caused her to bite back at him.

“I’ve been in the garden. If I’d had some notice I would have prepared myself for your venerated visit.”

“Yes, well…” he began, clearly uncomfortable. She watched as his gaze drifted past her shoulder and across the room.

An unwelcome suspicion caused Jillian to spin around. She gasped. On the far side of the room occupying Auntie Pru’s favorite chair was a gentleman, sitting quietly, expressionless. Watching her. If she could have disappeared through the floor, she would have gladly taken that escape.

“You didn’t mention we had company, Simon,” she managed through her embarrassment.

She continued to look at the man, and an odd feeling of recognition came over her. Something about the black hair and the handsome features tickled her memory—and the eyes, light blue and piercing. Yes, the eyes…

The swollen lip was new.

“Didn’t give me the opportunity, did you, Jilly?” her brother was saying, “I would like to introduce you to—”

He got no further, for Jillian pointed an accusing finger at the guest and shrieked, “You! What are you doing here?”

“Jillian, behave yourself,” Simon admonished her.

The Earl of Wickham came slowly to his feet, a strange smile playing around his mouth. His gaze flicked over her, and Jillian knew in

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