Reforming Lord Ragsdale by Carla Kelly

Author:Carla Kelly
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2013-12-10T22:00:00+00:00

UT … BUT … YOUR MOTHER TELLS ME … I thought you did not wish to speak of him,” she stammered. The mare sensed her sudden agitation and stepped in a dainty half circle. She patted the animal into control, searching for the right words,. “I mean, your mother, your banker, David Breedlow even—they all warned me not to bring up the subject.”

He spoke to his horse, and they continued. “They are wrong,” he said finally when they were some distance in front of the carriage, and he could slow the pace slightly. “It may have been my choice at one time, but I find now that avoiding the topic breaks my heart.”

His words were so simple and so full of feeling that they went straight to her own heart. As she rode beside Lord Ragsdale, Emma realized that she would never be able to look at him in the same way again. It was powerful knowledge and left her almost breathless. What do I say to this man? she wondered. He was looking at her, as though expecting something, and as she searched her mind for something to say, she thought of her mother, that woman of few words and much heart.

“Tell me, my lord,” she said simply, remembering with an ache those calm words spoken to her so many times.

“I think he must have been the best man who ever lived, Emma,” Lord Ragsdale said, with a glance over his shoulder as though he feared his mother could hear him. The carriage was only a speck in the distance. He cleared his throat and smiled ruefully down at his saddle. “But I suppose that is part of the problem.” He reached over and touched her arm. “Have you ever tried to measure up to an impossible ideal?”

She considered his question and understood him for the first time. She smiled at him and shook her head. “We were all so human in the Costello household, my lord. I … I was the only daughter, and my brothers either ignored me or were happy I was nothing like them.”

He nodded. “I imagine it was a lively household, Emma. Perhaps you will tell me about it some time.”

“Perhaps,” she replied, trying to keep the doubt from her voice. “But we are speaking of you and your father, sir, are we not?”

“We are. He was all goodness, all manners, impeccable in character and possessing every virtue, I think. I was a younger son for much of my early years, thank goodness, so the onus of perfection rested on my brother. Claude was very much like Father.”

He paused then, and she had the good sense not to rush into the silence. Perhaps I am learning wisdom, she thought as she watched Lord Ragsdale struggle within himself.

“Claude died when I was at Harrow, and then Father transferred his entire interest to me.”

Again there was a long silence. Quiet, Emma, she told herself as they rode along, side by side.

“I don't mean to say he wasn't interested in me before, Emma, but this was different.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.