Bewitching Lord Winterton by Marilyn Clay

Author:Marilyn Clay [Marilyn Clay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Trad-Reg
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“A Stroll Amongst the Roses”

That night as Neala lay abed, thoughts of Lord Winterton continued to haunt her. His bravery, his heroism, his gentle way with the children. Her fascination with the dashing major seemed to grow with each time she saw him. The pull he had over her defied reason, his presence seemed to draw her like a magnet, and once she succumbed to his unflagging charm, it held her captive against her will.

This evening the two of them had sat before the fire in the drawing room and for a full quarter hour, had quietly conversed with one another while sipping their tea. They had spoken of nothing of consequence, remarking in passing upon the lovely time they had had on the outing today, of the children’s delight upon the rescue of the ducklings, of the lovely sunshine they had all enjoyed, yet for Neala, the short interlude had been the highlight of the evening. Especially when Lord Winterton had complimented her again, telling her she looked lovely in her lavender sarcenet with the matching plume in her hair.

Recalling the intent way he had gazed into her eyes, Neala felt her pulse quicken again with remembered pleasure. Why did the gentleman’s very words set her heart thumping in her breast? In truth, they were but empty words for, she was certain he did not mean them. Nor had he meant what he said to her this afternoon at the picnic. How could he enjoy sitting beneath a tree with her more than he enjoyed the climb up the mountain or the spectacular panorama he had viewed amongst the clouds?

Neala could make sense of none of it. Yet, one thing was perfectly clear. She admired Lord Winterton immensely. He was a hero of the first order. And, not only to England. He had endeared himself to all of them today, most especially to the children. Neala could easily imagine the dashing war hero with children of his own. They would love him as dearly as she had loved her Papa. When thoughts of her beloved Papa flooded her mind, she felt the familiar moisture begin to well up in her eyes. Seeing his face before her . . . his eyes twinkling, the ever-present smile on his lips . . . it was almost as if . . . as if he had come to bid her farewell, a fond but, final farewell.

When the warm vision vanished, Neala realized an odd, but comforting feeling of peace had settled about her. Papa was indeed gone and she and Mama and Lilibet must carry on without him. Drawing in a long breath, Neala decided that Papa’s coming to her tonight meant that he knew his family would be well provided for now. Somehow, Papa knew of the magic wedding spell, Neala decided, and his smile meant that he approved of the match between Lilibet and Lord Winterton. And surely, it also meant that Papa approved of her match with Lord Brewster.

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