The Mistress of Tall Acre by Frantz Laura

Author:Frantz, Laura [Frantz, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Marital conflict—Fiction, Young women—Fiction, United States—Social life and customs—1783–1865—Fiction
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2015-09-17T07:00:00+00:00

Coming into Tall Acre’s foyer, Seamus found the house quiet, the immense case clock chiming ten. He’d wanted to see Lily Cate before she went to bed. By now she’d be asleep, unaware of the small storm he’d just created at Three Chimneys. Just as well. He didn’t feel like talking but getting on his knees and asking forgiveness. From both heaven and Sophie Menzies.

What woman wanted a proposal like the one he’d just laid out? Heedless, he’d gone striding into her parlor and winged the question at her like he was pitching horseshoes and she was the target. Her shock and dismay would never leave him. And now her answer, or the lack of it, lay like an unexploded shell between them. He was sure she’d say no. And he didn’t blame her.

But Edinburgh?

Myrtilla met him on the landing, having come from Lily Cate’s room. “She’s sleepin’, sir. Everything’s been fine here with you away, though she’s been askin’ when you be back. And she’s missin’ Miss Menzies somethin’ fierce besides.”

He thanked her and moved on to the second floor. He tore off his cloak and tossed his hat and gloves on a hall chair, then carefully opened the door of her room. Firelight caressed her face as she slept beneath the high canopy. The doll Sophie had given her was tucked beneath one arm.

Straddling the bed steps, he sat down, willing his pulse to settle. She looked so peaceful. So unlike Anne. Lily Cate had no memories of her mother, something that both saddened and gladdened him. His daughter was as darkly pretty as Sophie. He could well imagine people thinking they were mother and daughter at some point in future, if the impossible happened and Sophie would have him.

Lately Lily Cate had begun to open up, slowly escaping her shell of fear and confusion, reaching out to him in tentative trust. He could well imagine her joy if he were to tell her that Sophie was to be her mother. He’d give anything to shake Lily Cate awake with the news tonight.

He rubbed his whiskered jaw with stubborn resolve, forcing his unsettled emotions into retreat. He might soon be telling her Sophie was leaving for Scotland instead.

He touched her cheek, flushed with sleep, and brushed back a lock that curled over one eye. Her lashes were long and thick, fanning across the dainty planes of her face like black fringe. She was nearly perfect. She was in need of a mother. A happy home.

A far better father.

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