Read Online A Bloom in Winter by T. J. Brown - Free Book Online

bank. I, of course, have been up lots of times.”
    “If lots of times are exactly twice,” her mother said, smiling. “Slow down, our guest isn’t used to the speed of your tongue.”
    Cristobel glowered at her mother.
    “I have a younger sister, too,” Rowena assured them. “I’m used to it.”
    “Well, that’s a mercy. Did you enjoy flying with Jon?” Margaret asked, turning back to Rowena.
    “I loved it,” Rowena said, trying to find the words. “I felt so free, as if nothing that happened down here mattered at all.”
    “But it does matter, doesn’t it?” a masculine voice said from the hall. Rowena jumped, her heart leaping, but it wasn’t Jon who stood in the door, watching her with an unreadable expression across his face. It was his brother, George, who had made it very clear the first time they met that he harbored nothing but disdain for the Buxtons, and thus for her.
    “George!” Cristobel leapt up and gave her brother a hug. “I didn’t expect you until tomorrow!”
    “Business went better than expected.”
    “Oh, that’s a relief,” his mother said, getting up to pour her son a cup of tea.
    Rowena sat very still, waiting for him to reveal her identity to Margaret and Cristobel, just as Rowena was beginning to like them. He walked into the room and lounged against the butcher block, waiting for his tea. He wasn’t as handsome as Jon—the blue of his eyes was darker and he had grim lines sunk on either side of his mouth. This was a man who had known the bitterness of caring for a family before his time.
    “Yes, Mother,” he said, never taking his eyes off Rowena. “If selling off another part of our land can be termed a relief.”
    “Not exactly tea talk in front of company,” his mother chided, handing him a cup.
    “My apologies. I was just surprised to find Miss . . . ” He paused, waiting for a name.
    “You may call me Rowena. And I thank you so much for the tea, but I really must be leaving.”
    “But you just got here!” Cristobel wailed. “We haven’t gotten to talk about anything yet!”
    Margaret smiled as Rowena rose from her chair. “As I said, my daughter has been left alone for far too long. She needs the company of girls her own age, and though I can see you are much older, I would love to have you back here for a real visit. Perhaps you could have supper with us? It’s the least we can do, considering how you practically saved Jon’s life.”
    Rowena just wanted to escape George’s mocking eyes. She wished she had never come here. What would Jon say when he found out she had ingratiated herself with his family before he had even made clear any intentions toward her? And yet, wasn’t a kiss the same as declaring intentions? Or was she beingimpossibly old-fashioned? “I’d like that very much,” she said weakly, reaching for her cloak.
    The entire family saw her to the door. Rowena was sure the two holes burning in her back were from George’s glaring. The two women said their good-byes at the door, then George walked her to her horse and held the reins as she mounted. He didn’t mince words.
    “I have a message for you and a message for your uncle, Miss Buxton. Tell your uncle to keep his spy at home. He already has all he is going to get from us.”
    Rowena’s mouth fell open in shock and she snatched the reins out his hands.
    “And quit confusing Jon. His loyalty lies with his family.” Before she could respond he slapped his hand down on the rump of her horse and her horse leapt away in a gallop.

CHAPTER
FIVE

    T he rhythmic rocking of the train might have left the other passengers tired and yawning, but Victoria and a toddler in a navy sailor suit were wide awake. One by one the others shut their eyes against the glare of the morning sun streaming in the windows and relaxed, knowing their next stop would be Cambridge and then London.
    Victoria and the blue-eyed boy stared at each other for a moment, but each was too preoccupied to pay the