The Worthington Wife by Sharon Page

Author:Sharon Page
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2016-03-21T16:00:00+00:00

13

David’s Story

Cal carried David up the stairs to show him the bedroom he’d had prepared. He felt guilty and awkward as he put David back into his chair. Guilty because he hadn’t been able to protect his younger brother. Awkward because he knew David hated to feel like a burden.

The countess had made him mad and he’d reacted. But having a ball now, when he was trying to find out whether three young women had been killed and whether Anthony Carstairs was responsible? Julia must believe he was a callous monster.

Maybe that was for the best. If Anthony was a killer, had been shielded from punishment, Julia would see Cal when he was full of rage.

“You’re lost in thought.”

David’s voice jerked Cal back. “Do you like the room?” he asked fast. “I can have another fixed up for you, if you’d prefer. I thought you’d like the Oriental look in the place.”

One wall was papered in scarlet, decorated with gold. The furnishings all looked like they had come from Japan or China. A rice-paper screen stood in the corner. This had been John Carstairs’s room when John had been just the younger son to the earl. Before he’d become the earl and taken over the earl’s bedroom.

Was John maybe the killer? He hadn’t been popular with girls, Cal had been told.

“I like it,” David said. He added wistfully, “Before the War, I always thought about traveling the world.”

Cal’s throat tightened. He’d tried to give his younger brother all the opportunity he never had. It was why he’d stayed in a gang. To make money to send David to school. He’d intended to send his younger brother to university. Then America had joined the War—

“I finally made it to England,” David said. “I never did during the War.”

David should be angry because fate had stolen his chance to travel the world. But his brother looked happy.

Cal stood uneasily beside David’s chair. “Where do you want to go—to the window? If you want to rest before dinner, would you like me to put you on the bed?”

It was like he was asking his brother where he wanted to be stored. He’d fired nurses in the States after they just wheeled his brother to a corner and left him there.

“I can wheel myself you know,” David said. And he did, taking himself to the window.

Cal went to the table that held a decanter of the best damn brandy they had in this house. He poured two drinks and walked back, giving one to David.

If he’d been in David’s position—missing both his legs—he would not be able to be alone with a decanter full of brandy. He likely would have drunk himself to death in despair and anger. Not David.

David sipped it. “Nice. Gosh, it’s a beautiful view. Mam would have loved the gardens.”

“Yeah, and she was never allowed to see them,” Cal said darkly.

“Things can change,” David said. “I know about how they can change in a heartbeat. I believe things can change for the better, too.

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.