The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd

Author:Sarah E. Ladd
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2020-01-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Julia placed a book in the basket atop her bed and looked to Caroline. “I do wish you’d come with me. I think you’d be surprised.”

Caroline crossed her arms as she stood in the threshold and gave a little huff. “You’re a much more charitable person than I. Besides, you know how Mother feels about us interacting with the miners.”

“For heaven’s sake, they’re just children.” Julia added two more books to the basket and tucked a blanket over them. “You’d be doing them a service.”

“Just children?” Caroline raised an eyebrow in amusement. “I thought I heard you say that Mr. Isaac Blake was to attend.”

Julia ignored the implication and looked away, feigning indifference, but she had spoken to him just that morning when she encountered him on their morning ride, and he had assured her he’d be present. She’d told no one at Lanwyn Manor of their morning meetings, not even Jane, who was the person she spent the most time with. The lie slid easily—and perhaps a little too quickly—from her lips. “I’m not certain he’ll even be in attendance.”

“Perhaps if Mr. Matthew Blake was going to be there you’d have just cause to attend, at least in Mother’s eyes. Is she aware of this excursion you’ve planned?”

Julia looked to the basket, fighting embarrassment. No, she hadn’t told her aunt or asked her permission. She fussed with her gloves. “She gave her permission for me to attend the sewing circle, and this is but an extension of that. Miss Prynne and Miss Trebell will both be in attendance. Besides, Aunt is away having tea with Mrs. Penna. She’ll not miss me.”

“I don’t see how reading with children can be an extension of sewing, but your decisions are your own. Far be it from me to interfere.” Caroline smirked and turned from the door. “But as for myself, I fear it might rain. I’ve no desire to fall ill from being out in the elements. Besides, I need to write my Roger. I’m sure he’s impatient to hear from me and to drink in every word I write.”

Grateful for the change in topic, Julia lifted her eyes. “And what of this fiancé of yours? A Mr. Tremaine, if I’m correct? When shall I meet him?”

“Oh, he’ll be down anytime now for a visit, and you shall meet him then. He’s not fond of the country, and we are well suited in that respect.”

Once Caroline withdrew, Julia set several tarts wrapped in paper, which she’d talked Cook into baking, into the basket. She moved to her wardrobe, opened it, and retrieved a blue ribbon hanging on a hook. Young Sophia had admired a similar ribbon trimming on her gown on Julia’s first visit to Miss Prynne’s cottage. Perhaps she’d like this as well. With a smile she pinched it in her fingers, turned, and dropped the ribbon on top.

Julia slung her basket over her arm, then made her way to the courtyard to where Snow was saddled and waiting for her.

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