Vows to Save Her Reputation by Christine Merrill

Author:Christine Merrill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-05-06T19:07:17+00:00

* * *

At the end of the day, when the tents were being taken down, Emma was surprised to find that her first timid foray into entertaining had been a major success. Though she had done very little to organise it other than to open the gates and allow the people on the grounds, everyone seemed to think that she was responsible and showered her with gratitude.

They offered similar thanks to her husband, who accepted them with a dazed air, as if he was still not quite sure how he had come to have the entire village camped out on his property.

He must have been even more surprised to meet his own brother there, for he behaved most strangely towards him, as if he was not quite sure how to talk to his own family. And it was clear, despite the fact that they had been married for some time, that he had not met his brother’s wife until today.

Best of all, nothing had happened that her husband might take as evidence of his bad luck. She turned to him, tugging on his sleeve. ‘Now, admit it, the day has not gone as you feared it would.’

‘There have been no problems that I have noticed,’ he conceded.

‘So, you admit it might be possible to entertain without a visit from your family curse,’ she said, trying to keep the triumph from her voice.

‘Such things are not predictable,’ he said, dismissing her argument. ‘That is why it is better not to tempt fate.’

‘Well, in this case, the benefits have outweighed the risk,’ she said, willing him to feel some enthusiasm for the day. ‘And you must admit that you had a good time as well. Did I not see you playing horseshoes with the vicar?’

‘He challenged me. I could not resist.’ For a moment, he let down his guard and grinned, as he had when they were alone together.

‘You could not resist,’ she said with a nod, smiling.

Suddenly, someone on the other side of the yard cried out in pain. At the sound, the colour drained from Robert’s face and he raced in the direction of the noise, ready to help.

She hurried after him. When they arrived at the scene of the problem, it was nothing more serious than a childhood fight. She reached out to soothe the offended boy, then turned back to her husband, eager to prove him wrong. ‘See? There was nothing to worry about after all.’

But he did not notice. He was clutching the nearest tent pole in one hand. The other hand was on his heart, as he struggled for breath. Though sweat beaded his brow, his face was still deathly white.

She reached out to steady him and felt his shoulders shake under her hand.

‘Do not worry,’ he wheezed and tried to straighten up. But as he released his grip on the tent pole, he pitched forward to his knees, unable to stand under his own power.

‘Someone, help!’ she cried as two footmen rushed forward, easing her

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