Read Online A Heart's Treasure by Teresa DesJardien - Free Book Online Page B

glance Genevieve’s way, expression sober. “Michael is…he doesn’t always comport himself as I would have him do… I think he tries to overset me, at times.”
    “What? Why would he?” Genevieve was honestly perplexed.
    “I think I am too timid for him.” This time Summer’s gaze clung to Genevieve’s. “I’m too…unlike you.”
    “Unlike me ?” Genevieve cried, coming off the bed to cross around to Summer’s side. She took up the other girl’s hands to peer down at her. “What a mad thing to say. I can’t tell you how many times Michael has called me a hoyden. He’s told me to my face that I ought conduct myself more like you .”
    “Oh, Michael.” Summer lifted her chin a little, gently chiding the missing fellow. “Well then, not exactly like you, I suppose,” she amended. “A man doesn’t wish his intended to be too very like his sister, of course. But I can only think he wants someone who is more bold and clever and decisive like you.”
    Genevieve plopped onto the bed beside the fair-haired lady, twisting in place to be able to still hold her hands. “Oh, but surely not, Summer. My brother and father despair of me. Papa is forever bemoaning I make it difficult for men to see my appeal. He says I’m opinionated, forever pronouncing my likes and dislikes. He says since I don’t have a mother to guide me, I’ve scarcely any notion of manners. I cannot confine my table conversation to the weather or my latest frock, but must discuss the issues before the House of Lords, or the last battle our army has fought. He doesn’t say it, but I know I’m the reason he never remarried.” Her voice caught on these words, which held a little too much truth.
    By and large, she’d been rather unkind to the ladies of his preference and quite shooed them all away. She saw it now that she was older. She’d denied her papa a bit of future happiness because she’d been too long lost and hurting at her mother’s passing.
    What if some gentleman such as, for instance, Xavier had come to Papa and asked for Genevieve’s hand? How terrible if her wishes hadn’t been considered, if Papa had decided for her and denied her, in such an example, a connection she’d hoped for?
    The thought made her uncomfortable…w hy had Xavier been the first man to come to mind? ...and, to think, she’d been just as preemptory of her own loving parent’s possible choices.
    “Pish,” Summer said at her side.
    Genevieve tilted her head. “What?”
    “I said ‘pish.’ Michael and Lord Galton adore you. They act exasperated with you at times, but they wouldn’t have you any other way.”
    “They would,” Genevieve tried to protest.
    Summer shook her head. “It’s not the point anyway, dearest Genevieve. The point is, what have I not shown Michael that he waits to see in me?”
    Genevieve sat a bit stunned by this unexpected view through her friend’s eyes. “I don’t know,” she murmured, meaning the words.
    Summer pulled her hands free, made a little tsking noise, and dismissed the question with a graceful little wave. “Do not fret yourself. I shall puzzle it out. I always do. And sooner than Michael thinks. He’ll see.”
    The fairer girl rose and set about her toilette , sponging at the ewer, then pulling on a fresh shift from one of her valises. As Genevieve joined her, and they helped each other with the buttons and tapes of their dresses, Genevieve was left to mull over the fact Summer seemingly had more active plans to get Michael to the altar than she’d realized.
    They made their way to an upstairs sitting room that Haddy had bespoke the night before, the windows already open against the growing heat of the day. The innkeeper’s wife came up behind them to announce what was available for their breakfasts. Soon they were joined by the other ladies, and belatedly the men entered as a group. Upon seeing the eight tables all laid out apart from one another, they promptly seized some of the furniture and