The Viscount's Pet by Kryssie Fortune

Author:Kryssie Fortune [Fortune, Kryssie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2019-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Julianna’s heart beat faster as she edged the breakfast parlor door open.

Stonehurst stood and pulled out a chair. “Come, sit, let me get a plate for you. We have eggs, bacon, sausage, deviled kidneys, cold cuts, and sweet pastries. Rossie must have tried to feed the five thousand this morning. I think it’s her way of welcoming me home.”

The earl sipped black tea. “She’s not the only one pleased to have you back. I withered inside when I thought you dead. That’s when my illness started. Cosford’s damn lies kept us apart for years, but believe me, Giles, I have nothing without you.”

Julianna grinned, happy to see the two of them reunited.

Turning solemn, St. Keverne turned to face her. “I owe you an apology, m’dear, what with my relative’s wicked schemes and my blaming you for my grandchild’s premature death. I didn’t care if the babe was born in wedlock or not. It was part of Giles, and I was miserable without him. Can you forgive a stupid old man?”

Confused and embarrassed, she blushed and dropped her gaze. “My parents kept telling me that I’d hired the worst possible midwife and blamed me because she’d arrived drunk. If I’d known how to deliver a baby, I’d have sent her away. Only I didn’t and Susanna died because of it.”

Stonehurst and his father exchanged indignant looks. St. Keverne’s words came out more clipped than usual. “It was your parents’ job to support your sister, not yours. You were a child forced to deal with very adult problems. I should have intervened, but I was too stubborn to admit my mistakes.”

Shocked by his apology, she forgot everything but his kindness and dropped an impulsive kiss on his cheek. “I never blamed you. Besides, once I took over the estate management, I had no time to socialize.”

He clearly wanted to say more, but seeing she was close to tears, he changed the subject. “Neither my family nor yours did well by you, did they? However, I must commend Parson Phillips for his quick wits when I next see him.”

She’d expected his derision, but he gave her more respect than her parents ever had. “I want nothing from Cosford’s estate except the Halstead Manor and lands. His sons can have the rest. And please, call me Julianna. I will never answer to that horrid man’s name.”

Stonehurst reached beneath the table and rested his hand on her thigh. “Then we won’t use your new title again. I won’t have you uncomfortable when you’re with us.”

His father considered a moment. “Agreed, but I need to ask a favor. Will you permit me to send a man to retrieve the family heirlooms I left in the townhouse I deeded to your sister?”

Her brow furrowed, but she couldn’t think straight with Stonehurst’s hand creeping ever closer to her cunny. “There is no property outside of Cornwall. I’m certain of it. If such a deed existed, I’d have seen it.”

A relieved look passed over Stonehurst’s face. “You didn’t ignore Susanna and my by-blow, then?”

Sitting tall, St.

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