Winthrop Trilogy Box Set by Burnett May

Author:Burnett, May [Burnett, May]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mind Games Publications
Published: 2015-10-26T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

The family had easily accepted Jeremy’s suggestion that they move to Rublingdon, their Kent estate, to enjoy three days of nature and fresh air. Though not the earldom’s principal seat, of their four country houses it was the closest to London.

Barnaby had stayed behind, continuing the search for the blackmailer. Milla too had elected to remain in town, declaring that as a widow she did not need a chaperon anyway. It was a bit irregular to leave her in Aunt Penelope’s house without her hostess, but Lady Cirrell was more needed here in the country, to entertain Abigail, his fiancée … each time Jeremy considered the word, or heard wedding plans discussed, he was thrown into guilty confusion. Hardly the best way to create and maintain a romantic mood.

Abigail had looked pretty at dinner with his father and aunt and a few hastily invited local guests earlier in the evening – or last evening, for it was after midnight already, technically a new day.

Jeremy had given considerable thought to the logistics of their encounter, to avoid any danger of new scandal. Poor Abigail had already had enough risk of that in her young life. His spacious suite was safer than her guest room, for nobody would question him over such details as the state of the sheets. If they even got that far; he felt less certain of success with every hour.

He was on his way to fetch Abigail now, and fresh doubts assailed him about the wisdom of his course. But Jeremy had given his word, and a Winthrop did not shy back from a challenge. Could the more pleasant experiences he hoped to provide ever supersede the memory of that brutal rape in the dark? It had come close to destroying Abigail, while Fenton had been so drunk he remained unaware of his victim’s identity.

Jeremy could only do his best.

He was somewhat slimmer than Fenton had been, but nearly of the same height. The mere thought of Abigail confusing the two of them was odious, but she had indicated that her body’s reactions were guided by instinctive fear, and not altogether amenable to reason. He must keep absolute control of his own passions, carefully monitor her reactions and stop at the least sign of trouble.

Abigail was waiting, clad in a blue velvet dressing gown. She looked pale and resolute, like a victim about to be carried to the guillotine.

He hesitated for a long moment. “My dear, are you still determined to do this? It is not too late to change your mind, or wait for another opportunity.”

She put a cold hand on top of his. “If I draw back now, I don’t know if I shall ever find the courage again.”

He nodded mutely. What was there to say? The weight of responsibility hung like a millstone around his neck.

When they arrived – unseen by witnesses, as was to be expected at this hour of the night – she looked around curiously. “Is this your regular room?”

“When I am here, yes.

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