Theory Of Magic by Patricia Rice

Author:Patricia Rice
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

19

“ASHFORD!” Townsend roared. His countryman’s bellow echoed up and down the city street.

Harriet wanted to cringe, but bold Christie turned and kissed Ashford’s cheek as he descended from the carriage. Then she sailed into the townhouse without acknowledging the shouting fool.

She’d had her very first taste of freedom today, and it had been delicious. Arrogant Ashford hadn’t even cringed when the gossips had called him mad. And he’d barely acknowledged his beautiful ex-fiancée when she’d whispered whatever poisonous words she’d had to say in his ear. He almost gave her confidence that he meant what he said about not minding her plainness—if only he could see, and she could be sure.

However, her stepfather had humiliated her beyond all redemption yesterday. She refused to let him do so ever again, not when she finally had the power to escape his control. Knowing he meant to invest her holdings in a fraudulent plot added resolution. Her stomach was in knots and her hands were shaking, but she could not, would not, let Townsend know.

“I will fetch mama,” Moira told her as Christie hurried toward the stairs to protect the twins. “You’re a Malcolm now, and we take care of our own.”

“I think Ashford can do that, but he might need to be hauled off the ceiling before day’s end.” She tried to sound amused and unafraid. “There are only so many inkpots that can be thrown.”

It was amazing that others couldn’t tell when she was about to boil over like burned soup. Perhaps that was her gift—hiding her emotions from others.

Moira laughed, hearing only what Christie wanted her to hear. “Mama won’t like to miss the show. I should stay and watch instead, but I won’t. I admire your bravery!”

“No promises have been made,” she called after her friend, but she had to admit that she had severely limited her choices by wearing Ashford’s ring and appearing in public with him and not correcting his possessive behavior. It had felt so very lovely to feel cherished for a short while, which made her a self-destructive goosecap.

Lifting her skirts, she raced up the stairs to the attic. Out on the street, Townsend continued shouting like a coarse peasant.

The twins were sitting at their desks, working, when Christie entered the schoolroom. Steadying herself, she smiled at the startled tutor. “If you would, please, take Hartley and Hugh to the park for a while. Or for a lesson in the abbey.”

Hartley looked anxious. “Is Papa in trouble? Shouldn’t we stay and help?”

Hugh was already up and aiming for a window. “Father wouldn’t want us to desert him if there is to be a fight.”

Christie studied them in exasperated amusement. “The two of you are so much like him that I really ought to send you downstairs and let you deal with my stepfather. But your father wouldn’t appreciate our interference. There will just be a lot of shouting and improper language, and you shouldn’t have to hear it.”

“Then you should go with us,” Hugh said seriously.

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