Read Online A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman - Free Book Online

with the frown she wore, further hardened by the absence of soft curls or bangs around an oval face. But at the age of thirty-seven, her ivory skin was flawless and void of lines most likely because she seldom smiled, imparting the unmistakable air of delicate heirloom china. And like bone china, Annie mused, her face would probably shatter should laughter ever cross her lips.
    There were times when Annie could see glimmers of her mother in Aunt Eleanor’s face, in almond-shaped eyes that fluctuated between hazel and green, and high cheekbones that framed a classically straight nose. Her lips were full like Annie’s mother’s, but where Aurora Kennedy’s had been lush and inviting with a ready smile, Aunt Eleanor’s were tight and pinched, making her cold and stiff by comparison. Despite the constant disapproval that emanated from her aunt, Annie had to admit she was a beautiful spinster . . . that is, if one didn’t mind frostbite.
    Aunt Eleanor glanced at her diamond Rolex and folded her arms with a purse of her lips. “I suggest you stop acting like street hoodlums and get dressed.” She marched to the window to fling the curtains aside and throw up the sash. Spring drifted in with the heavenly scent of lilacs and mulch, wonderful smells that collided with the scowl on her aunt’s face.
    Suddenly remembering Steven’s coat, Annie lunged for the nightstand, snatching it up. Her aunt turned just as Annie stuffed it under the covers, her patrician nose in the air as if she smelled garbage rather than spring. “Susannah Grace, I distinctly told you to pin-curl your hair, did I not? Have you forgotten we’re expected at the Bentleys’ for brunch?”
    “No, ma’am,” Annie muttered, wondering how her aunt managed to make her feel younger than her five-year-old sister. She pushed her shoulder-length hair from her eyes. “I can have it washed, curled, and dried in two hours, I promise.”
    Arching a penciled brow, her aunt folded her arms once again. “Which would be lovely, dear, if we weren’t expected in an hour.”
    Annie gulped.
    Aunt Eleanor waved a manicured hand on the way to the door as if to dismiss any notion Annie might have to respond. “There’s no time to wash your hair. Just wear the new dress I bought from Filene’s, is that clear?” She turned and beckoned Glory with a finger. “Gloria, come. Mrs. Pierce will get you dressed. And, Susannah, you will remember to powder your nose and wear lipstick, won’t you? The Bentleys’ son Erwin is home from college.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Annie stifled a groan. Great. The twerp with a lazy eye who picks his teeth!
    “Come, Gloria.” Her aunt sailed through the door while Glory mimicked behind with hands on miniature hips and a wiggle in her walk, her pert, little nose high in the air.
    Annie suppressed a giggle and stretched, stopping mid-yawn when Glory dashed back to snatch her doll from the floor. Choking out a sob, she launched into Annie’s arms.“She’s not a queen, she’s a witch,” the little girl said with a wobble in her voice. “I miss Mama.”
    Heart wrenching, Annie scooped her sister up and squeezed, smothering her with kisses until giggles rolled from her rosebud lips. “I miss her too, dumpling,” Annie whispered, “and Daddy and Maggie. But at least we have each other, right?”
    Glory sniffed and nodded, and Annie tenderly wiped the tears from her face. She kissed her nose. “Hey, how ’bout a secret sleepover in my room tonight. Would you like that?”
    Dimples emerged on Glory’s blotchy face. “And the Queen of Sheba too?”
    “Sure, and even Mr. Grump, if he’s not too cranky.”
    Glory giggled. “Just like Aunt Eleanor—a nasty grouch.”
    Mr. Grump’s namesake bellowed from the hallway. “Gloria Celeste—one . . . two . . .”
    “Uh-oh, you better scoot or Aunt Eleanor will make Mr. Grump look like Mr. Sunshine.” Setting her back on her feet, Annie propelled her sister from the room with a pop