Force My Hand by Em Brown

Author:Em Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter Ten

It pleased Radcliff that the boy wore the new clothes Radcliff paid for and insisted Priscilla give to her son. The clothes Nathan had worn the day they met were unacceptably too small.

Unbeknownst to Darcy, Radcliff had scouted the Sherwood residence one day and spotted Priscilla and Nathan emerging from the house for a walk. It had taken Radcliff an instant to recognize Edward in Nathan Sherwood. The young boy shared the same impetuous chin, the same streaks of brown amidst the blond hair, and the same charcoal eyes all Barrington men shared. There was relatively little of Priscilla in Nathan’s countenance, but, fortunately, all of her in his disposition.

After witnessing how excited the boy became at each dog that passed their way, Radcliff had decided to return the following day with Gibbons and his own dog in tow. While Gibbons and his setter entertained Nathan, Radcliff had approached Priscilla and introduced himself.

She was taken aback and instantly weary of him, to no surprise. Radcliff detected the same Sherwood defiance in Priscilla that Darcy possessed. But after assurances that he meant no harm, she had relaxed and was friendlier than Darcy had ever been.

“Why did you not come to me?” Radcliff had asked after Priscilla related her unsuccessful attempts to convince Edward to recognize his son.

“You disapproved of my relationship with Edward from the start,” she responded.

“True, but I would never have allowed Edward to shirk his responsibility.”

Priscilla protested that she was quite comfortable with her situation and would not seek Edward’s involvement now.

Radcliff had offered no comment, but was dissatisfied with how things were.

“Darcy and I have done well enough raising him,” Priscilla added with lifted chin.

“That you have,” Radcliff conceded. “You and your sister have proven to be remarkably capable women. Nathan is an upstanding young man. My compliments to you.”

“What do you intend with Darcy?”

The question caught him off guard, but he met her gaze. “As long as the deed to Brayten is returned to us, you may rest assured that no harm will come to your sister.”

The answer had not mollified Priscilla, but she did not pursue the matter further.

After leaving her with a sum of money to purchase some books for Nathan and an offer to provide anything else that Nathan might need, he had exacted from her a promise that she would not divulge to Darcy they had met.

“But how will I explain the new clothes and books?” Priscilla demanded.

“You are, no doubt, a clever woman and will surely think of a proper response.”

She is a charming and refined young woman, Radcliff reflected to himself. He could easily see how Edward had fallen for her, though Broadmoor had initially thought her rather simple and humdrum. She had matured elegantly despite her situation in life.

He, however, preferred the rough edges that the elder Sherwood sister possessed; even her temper came from a passion that could burn large and high. Darcy Sherwood was full of contrasting, alluring manners.

Radcliff urged his horses to a faster clip. His curricle was light and flew along the cobblestones, the wheels barely touching the road.

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