Read Online A Cantata of Love (The Code Breakers 4) by Jacki Delecki - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Jacki Delecki
Tags: Fiction, Suspense, Romance, Historical, Action & Adventure, Adult, series, Regency, England, romantic suspense, French, 19th century, Bachelor, Victorian, Britain, Protection, Forever Love, Single Woman, englishman, Hearts Desire, international intrigue, London Society, Subterfuge, Code Breakers, Napoleonic France, Young Woman Disguised, Leg Injury, Clandestine Assignment
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love the aroma of the chocolate when I’m first awake. And I add honey to mine.”
Gabby smiled at the stout woman. “I also always add honey. My father liked to tease me about my sweet tooth.”
“Gwyneth has always loved sweets, but not Cord. To grow as large as he did, he ate endlessly. I always was envious of his ability to eat everything and just get taller and stronger. Not like some of us.” She patted her plump stomach. “He definitely takes after his mother’s side of the family.”
Gabby wanted to giggle. Aunt Euphemia’s conversation was nothing that Gabby had previously experienced—twisted and contorted, rather like the turban she favored, which was precariously cocked to one side.
“Am I running on? I am. Cord…I mean… I am Lord Rathbourne’s and Lady Gwyneth’s aunt. I was told you met Gwyneth at tea?”
“Yes, I met the lady yesterday. A congenial woman.” Gabby didn’t want to tell Aunt Euphemia that she had been delighted by her niece’s lack of propriety.
“I see Gwyneth has had the same effect on you as she always does when meeting new people. I was responsible for Gwyneth’s upbringing after her dear mother died. I encouraged Gwyneth to express her opinions and to think for herself. She is open and spontaneous. In polite society, there are other descriptions for a woman who isn’t held back by society’s silly rules.” Aunt Euphemia raised her eyebrows, her eyes twinkling. “Heresy, I know.”
“I’ve spent two years in a convent. Not particularly conducive to expressing opinions… More about how a proper lady must always behave.”
“Yes, I’ve always found it baffling that the nuns have chosen a life independent of the society’s expectation of marriage then train young women to become good wives—preparation for an institution they’ve rejected.”
Gabby sipped her tea, thinking about her childhood. Aunt Euphemia had encouraged Lady Gwyneth to think for herself. Since Gabby had been alone for these past years, she had been forced to rely on her own judgement rather like Lady Gwyneth.
“You’ve had to make your own way after the loss of your parents, which made you strong and independent. I admire that in a woman, but I hope you won’t mind an old woman giving you some advice.”
Well, maybe Aunt Euphemia wasn’t so unique. Her preface sounded exactly the way Mother Therese began her lectures on self-improvement. “Yes, my lady.”
Aunt Euphemia shook her head vigorously, making the bird on her turban wobble. “No need to be formal here. I feel it is important to know when to follow the rules and when not to. In my sitting room, there is no need.”
She had been wrong. Aunt Euphemia wasn’t anything like Mother Therese. Aunt Euphemia was definitely different. No one had ever given her permission to ignore the rules. Even Lucien expected her to follow the rules, despite his own blatant refusal. “Yes, Aunt Euphemia.”
“My dear, I want you to learn from my mistakes.” Aunt Euphemia reached across the settee and took her hand. “I am a big proponent of self-reliance. But sometimes even strong women need to depend on other people. It doesn’t make you weak to need help from others.”
Gabby felt the grief jamming into her throat and behind her eyes. She needed her brother. Now, she had no one to rely on but herself.
“After the shock you’ve received today, you feel alone. But, my dear, you’re not. I know we aren’t your family and we won’t try to be. But I hope you let all of us help lessen your grief. Like you, Gwyneth has lost her parents and her older brother. And I am told the death of Lord Kendal’s mother was very difficult for him.”
Tears formed in Gabby’s eyes. She hadn’t shed any tears up to this point, but now they wouldn’t stop. And she had no handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
Aunt Euphemia pulled a lavender-scented, orange cloth from her bosom. “Here, my dear.” She handed the handkerchief to Gabby. “It is fine to
Gabby smiled at the stout woman. “I also always add honey. My father liked to tease me about my sweet tooth.”
“Gwyneth has always loved sweets, but not Cord. To grow as large as he did, he ate endlessly. I always was envious of his ability to eat everything and just get taller and stronger. Not like some of us.” She patted her plump stomach. “He definitely takes after his mother’s side of the family.”
Gabby wanted to giggle. Aunt Euphemia’s conversation was nothing that Gabby had previously experienced—twisted and contorted, rather like the turban she favored, which was precariously cocked to one side.
“Am I running on? I am. Cord…I mean… I am Lord Rathbourne’s and Lady Gwyneth’s aunt. I was told you met Gwyneth at tea?”
“Yes, I met the lady yesterday. A congenial woman.” Gabby didn’t want to tell Aunt Euphemia that she had been delighted by her niece’s lack of propriety.
“I see Gwyneth has had the same effect on you as she always does when meeting new people. I was responsible for Gwyneth’s upbringing after her dear mother died. I encouraged Gwyneth to express her opinions and to think for herself. She is open and spontaneous. In polite society, there are other descriptions for a woman who isn’t held back by society’s silly rules.” Aunt Euphemia raised her eyebrows, her eyes twinkling. “Heresy, I know.”
“I’ve spent two years in a convent. Not particularly conducive to expressing opinions… More about how a proper lady must always behave.”
“Yes, I’ve always found it baffling that the nuns have chosen a life independent of the society’s expectation of marriage then train young women to become good wives—preparation for an institution they’ve rejected.”
Gabby sipped her tea, thinking about her childhood. Aunt Euphemia had encouraged Lady Gwyneth to think for herself. Since Gabby had been alone for these past years, she had been forced to rely on her own judgement rather like Lady Gwyneth.
“You’ve had to make your own way after the loss of your parents, which made you strong and independent. I admire that in a woman, but I hope you won’t mind an old woman giving you some advice.”
Well, maybe Aunt Euphemia wasn’t so unique. Her preface sounded exactly the way Mother Therese began her lectures on self-improvement. “Yes, my lady.”
Aunt Euphemia shook her head vigorously, making the bird on her turban wobble. “No need to be formal here. I feel it is important to know when to follow the rules and when not to. In my sitting room, there is no need.”
She had been wrong. Aunt Euphemia wasn’t anything like Mother Therese. Aunt Euphemia was definitely different. No one had ever given her permission to ignore the rules. Even Lucien expected her to follow the rules, despite his own blatant refusal. “Yes, Aunt Euphemia.”
“My dear, I want you to learn from my mistakes.” Aunt Euphemia reached across the settee and took her hand. “I am a big proponent of self-reliance. But sometimes even strong women need to depend on other people. It doesn’t make you weak to need help from others.”
Gabby felt the grief jamming into her throat and behind her eyes. She needed her brother. Now, she had no one to rely on but herself.
“After the shock you’ve received today, you feel alone. But, my dear, you’re not. I know we aren’t your family and we won’t try to be. But I hope you let all of us help lessen your grief. Like you, Gwyneth has lost her parents and her older brother. And I am told the death of Lord Kendal’s mother was very difficult for him.”
Tears formed in Gabby’s eyes. She hadn’t shed any tears up to this point, but now they wouldn’t stop. And she had no handkerchief to wipe her eyes.
Aunt Euphemia pulled a lavender-scented, orange cloth from her bosom. “Here, my dear.” She handed the handkerchief to Gabby. “It is fine to
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