The Spice Bride (The Emberton Brothers Series Book 1) by Aminadra Karen

Author:Aminadra, Karen [Aminadra, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Flourish Publishing
Published: 2016-05-13T04:00:00+00:00

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The family came together again in the breakfast room for their midday repast. Grace was introduced to two new additions to their company—Doctor and Miss Martha Coleman. Grace smiled politely and curtsied in greeting. She looked around the room as she seated herself and noticed her father was not present. A quick glance at the table settings confirmed that he was not to join them. “Mrs Emberton, do you know where my father is?”

“Yes, Grace. This morning he expressed the need to attend to some business and departed in the carriage, in, what I must confess to be, quite an excitable humour,” she nodded knowingly.

“An excitable humour?” Grace repeated, puzzled.

“My dear, some things are best not pried into.” Edwina smiled kindly and attended to the footman, who appeared at her elbow with a steaming serving dish.

After helping herself to boiled beef and root vegetables, Mrs Emberton looked back at Grace and mouthed the words wedding gift.

Grace sat back in her chair and wondered what her father was about. She did not require a wedding gift from him. Most certainly the plantation was her wedding gift, was it not? Confused and in silence, she helped herself to some food from the proffered plate and ate slowly in small bites.

Whilst she was contemplating the happenings of the day—the gift of the brocade silk, the mysterious disappearance of her father, and now the new arrivals at the table—Grace impassively watched Miss Coleman. It seemed to Grace that the doctor’s daughter’s eyes flicked frequently to look at Richard. Out of the corner of her eye, Grace covertly studied her fiancé. He seemed to be studiously ignoring Miss Coleman and not paying her the attention that courtesy demanded.

As the meal progressed, Grace became increasingly convinced that Miss Coleman was partial to Richard. Does she know I am to marry Richard the day after tomorrow?

Grace decided to engage the young lady in conversation. “Miss Coleman, do you and your father live near here?” Grace knew the question was ridiculous. She asked anyway. She had to start somewhere with the conversation.

“Yes, Miss…”

“Hayward.” Grace smiled in as friendly a manner as possible. “But, of course, do call me, Grace.”

“Thank you. I shall. And you may call me Martha.”

As the young girl turned her attention to the food in front of her, Grace felt at a loss as to what to say next. The conversation appeared to be at an end when the young lady looked up and enquired, “Do you live near here?”

Grace realized then that Martha Coleman was indeed unaware of the fact that a wedding was to take place in two days. Grace was reluctant to break the news in front of so many people, nor did it seem her place, a virtual stranger. From her own observations, Grace guessed Martha was falling in love with Richard. Dashing the girl’s hopes in such a manner and at such a time seemed unnecessarily cruel. Grace found she could not do it.

“Well…” She decided to try to furnish the young lady with the information she desired in as gentle a manner as possible.

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