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Chapter 8
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My Mother’s Choice Chapter 9
‘Over ten years, ma’am.’ Parton saw the look in her eyes and grinned. ‘We’ve changed the linen since, I’m sure.’‘Of course,’ she said, shaking herself for being a goose.‘And her Grace died…?’‘In childbed, ma’am. His Grace was quite broken up about it, and swore he’d leave the house to rot on its foundation before marrying again. He’s been on the continent most of the last ten years. Stops back once or twice a year to check on the estate, but that is all.’Gwen leaned back in her chair and gripped the arms.The picture Lady Danbury had painted for her was of a man who had grieved, but was ready to marry again. But he hadn’t expected her. Hadn’t wanted her. Had only agreed to a meeting to humour his dying mother.No wonder he had flown into a rage.She should set him free of any obligation towards her. Perhaps he could lend her some coach fare back to London. Her Prospects were black, but certainly not as bad as attaching herself to an unwilling husband. She wasn’t that desperate Do
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 10
The Reverend was shaking his head slowly as Authur passed the explanatory letter to him. ‘As you can see, I was just writing to you to invite you to the house so we could resolve this situation.’ His lips thinned as he fought to contain the rest of the thought."Of course I needn’t have bothered.You hitched up the carriage and were on your way here as soon as the sun rose. Cometo see the storm damage, have you, Reverend? Meddling old fool. You’ve come to see the girl and you’re hoping for the worst".The Reverend looked sympathetic, but couldn’t disguise the mischievous smile as he spoke. ‘Most unfortunate. A most unfortunate turn of events. Of course, you realise what your duty is in this situation, to prevent gossip in the village and to protect the young lady’s reputation.’A duty that could have been prevented yesterday, if you actually cared a jot for the girl or for silencing talk.‘Yes,’ he responded mildly. ‘I discussed it with Gwen yesterday and we are in agreement. It only
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 11
‘Why not, Authur? She is never far from my mind. Just because you wish to forget her does not mean that I will.’ He flexed his hands and pushed away the image of them closing on Archie’s windpipe, and then placed them carefully on the table. ‘You promised a truce and I see how quickly you forget it. Let us pretend for a moment, Archie, that you have any honour left as it pertains to this house.’‘Very well, brother. One last game of “Let’s Pretend”, as we played when we were little. And what are we pretending, pray tell?’‘That you are planning to go willingly from this house, today, and that it will not be necessary for me to have the servants evict you.’‘Go? From this house? Why ever would I do that, Authur?’ ‘Because you hate it here as much as I do. And you hate me. There. There are two good reasons. I must remain here to face what memories there are. As you are quick to point out to me, whenever we are alone, I am the Duke of ThornHill . And now I am to be married, and chances a
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 12
Gwen stood at the back of the chapel, waiting for the man who was to seal her future. When the knock had sounded at her door, she’d expected the duke, but had been surprised to see Archie, holding a small bouquet out to her and offering to accompany her to the chapel. The gown she’d finally chosen for the wedding was not the silk, but her best day dress, and, if he thought to make a comment on the state of it, it didn’t show. It had looked much better in the firelight as she’d altered it. Here in ThornHill, in the light of day, the pitiable state of it was plainly apparent to anyone that cared to look. The hem of Lady Danbury’s green cotton gown had been let down several inches to accommodate her long legs, and the crease of the old hem was clearly visible behind the unusually placed strip of lace meant to conceal it. The ruffles, cut from the excess fabric of the bodice when she’d taken it in, and added to the ends of the sleeves, did not quite match, and the scrap of wilted lace at
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 13
She was still shaking with mingled passion and panic. How dare he? In a church! In front of the reverend! And she had responded like a cheap whore. If the kiss had been some sort of test of her experience, she’d probably confirmed hisworst fears. Her empty stomach groaned and she covered her mouth, afraid to look at the reverend’s wife unless she be sick on the marble floor. It would only have made the situation worse.And her husband would not have noticed. He was already striding out of the chapel and down the hall, following Archie at a safe distance, probably to make sure that he was headed towards the stables and away.She straightened her back and turned to the reverend and his wife, forcing a smile to her face. ‘Well.’ The word was arti-ficially cheery. ‘I must thank you, Reverend Noah, and Mrs Noah, for your concern in the matter of my safety and honour.’‘Hmm. Well, of course, the concern continues, your Grace.’For a moment she looked around, expecting to see her husband b
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 14
The reverend’s wife shut her mouth with a snap. ‘If I might see you for a moment in the hall, Gwen.’The word ‘now’was unspoken, but plain enough. And the sound of her name on his lips was strange, indeed. There wassomething about the way he said the ‘g’ that seemed to vibrate into a growl.‘If you will excuse me, for a moment, Reverend, Mrs Noah?’ And she rose quickly to join her husband in the hall.‘Your Grace?’‘You demanded my attendance, Gwen?’ He sketched a mocking bow to her.‘Not demanded. I requested that John find you and bring you back for our wedding breakfast.’‘I ordered no breakfast.’‘I did.’ She glared at him in frustration. ‘Perhaps you see no need to celebrate the day, and I could do without a continuation of this… this…melodrama, but the Noahs expect it of us and will not leave until the reception is performedDamn the Noahs!’‘Damn them indeed, sir,’she whispered, ‘but do it quietly. They are probably listening at the door.’‘I do not care what they hear. If the
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 15
She stared up into the canopy of the bed, watching a spider spinning in the gloom of a corner. Her husband would comesoon, and do what he would do, and it would be over. She tried not to review in her mind the detailed explanation thatLady Danbury had given her of marital relations. It would hurt the first time, but she was not to be afraid.She mentally cursed Lady Danbury for explaining it so. It must not hurt so very much or women would never allow a secondtime. She was not unfamiliar to pain. It could not hurt her body as much as leaving home had wounded her heart. She would survive.Lady Danbury had said that with some men it was not painful, but actually quite pleasant. When the man was loving and gentle, there was nowhere else you’d rather be than joined with them. Lady Danbury had known many men and had a chance for comparison.Since she was to know only one, whether it might be pleasant somewhere else need not concern her. As a matter of fact, it was annoying to think that
My Mother’s Choice Chapter 16
The duke stared down in to his brandy glass. He should be upstairs by now, waiting on his new wife, not in the library. gathering his courage, he poured another glass and drank. This was not how the day was supposed to run. He’d had no desire to take a wife and certainly not to yoke himself to the odd duck that had washed up on the doorstep yesterday. Eventually, he would have had to make a decision, but he had been enjoying the relative quiet in the house without the presence of his mother. He would get the estate back in order first. And something would have to be done about Achie. An uneasy truce atleast. They’d need to work through enough of the old problem so they would not be at each other’s throats. He had no real desire to throw his only living relative from the house for good, but it might be necessary if no solution could befound.He’d never intended to bring a wife into the mess that existed now. But one had forced her way into it and now he had another problem to deal wi
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