Read Online A Rose in Winter by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - Free Book Online
Authors: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
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narrowed too quickly in the outer corners and lacked the heaviness of lashes that fringed the pools of amethyst. Though her features could not be termed coarse, they were not as fine and delicate as those of the mayor's daughter, nor was her skin as fair. But then, it would be hard for any maid to equal or surpass the comeliness of the one he had already met.
Claudia Talbot paused beside her father, carefully pulling up the velvet hood of her cloak to protect her coiffure from the misting rain before slipping her gloved hand through the arm her father presented. Her eyes measured Christopher in a slow, exacting way that gave him every assurance that she was carefully assessing his physical attributes.
"Why, Allan," she purred when they neared, "I never thought you'd chase me down the street just to present another man to me. Aren't you the least bit jealous?"
The sheriff laughed and responded with like flirtation. "Claudia, I have every faith that you'll remain true to me even though confronting a full regiment of men." He swept his hand about to indicate the man at his side. "May I present Christopher Seton from Boston? A gentleman by the cut of his clothes, and if he's not careful, another one to be smitten by your charms."
"I am honored, Miss Talbot," Christopher responded, bowing gallantly over her gloved hand.
"My goodness, you are a tall one," she observed coyly.
Christopher was well acquainted with the antics of forward women and recognized the bold gleam in the dark eyes. If he wanted feminine companionship, then here was an open invitation.
"And this worthy gentleman is Lord Nigel Talbot," Allan said, concluding the introductions.
"Seton . . . Seton . . ." Lord Talbot repeated thoughtfully. "I've heard that name before."
"Perhaps you remember it from the misunderstanding I had with your mayor a few weeks ago," Christopher suggested.
Lord Talbot looked at him curiously. "So you're the one who dueled with Farrell, eh? Well, I can't hold that against you. That young whelp brews trouble wherever he goes."
"Mr. Seton is here in Mawbry on business," Allan stated. "He might be interested in acquiring a country estate close by."
Lord Talbot chuckled. "Then I wish you good fortune, sir. 'Tis a great undertaking to establish lands and tenants, but in the long run it does have its rewards if you manage to accumulate the desired power. One must have wealth, however, to proceed."
Christopher met the man's deliberate stare. "I was wondering about Saxton Hall."
"Oh, you don't want that place," Claudia advised sweetly. " 'Tis half burned and full of ghosts. Why, anyone around here can tell you the place has been plagued by disasters."
"I really can't imagine the possibility of a foreigner acquiring either the lands or the hall." Lord Talbot perused the Yankee speculatively. "Are you a man of occupation, or a gentleman of leisure?"
"Actually I'm a little of both." Christopher flashed white teeth in a quick grin. "I own several vessels that trade in ports around the world, but I'm also very much a man of leisure."
Claudia's dark eyes took on a new gleam. "You must be very rich."
Christopher shrugged casually. "I manage a few creature comforts."
"Saxton Hall would be a worthy estate with its holdings of lands, but I'm afraid it's not available." Lord Talbot gave him a brief smile. "If it were, I would have had it myself some time ago."
"Papa, you'd own all of England if the King would let you," Claudia teased, patting his arm.
His lordship turned a rueful smile on her. "I need it to keep you in the finery you demand."
Claudia giggled. "Which reminds me, Papa. I promised the dressmaker that I would come by to select material for a new gown. Since you have business with the mayor, I shall have to find my own escort." The corners of her lips lifted impishly as she met Christopher's gaze. "Can I be so bold as to ask you to accompany me, Mr. Seton?"
"Claudia!" Her father spoke in shocked reproof. "You just met the
Claudia Talbot paused beside her father, carefully pulling up the velvet hood of her cloak to protect her coiffure from the misting rain before slipping her gloved hand through the arm her father presented. Her eyes measured Christopher in a slow, exacting way that gave him every assurance that she was carefully assessing his physical attributes.
"Why, Allan," she purred when they neared, "I never thought you'd chase me down the street just to present another man to me. Aren't you the least bit jealous?"
The sheriff laughed and responded with like flirtation. "Claudia, I have every faith that you'll remain true to me even though confronting a full regiment of men." He swept his hand about to indicate the man at his side. "May I present Christopher Seton from Boston? A gentleman by the cut of his clothes, and if he's not careful, another one to be smitten by your charms."
"I am honored, Miss Talbot," Christopher responded, bowing gallantly over her gloved hand.
"My goodness, you are a tall one," she observed coyly.
Christopher was well acquainted with the antics of forward women and recognized the bold gleam in the dark eyes. If he wanted feminine companionship, then here was an open invitation.
"And this worthy gentleman is Lord Nigel Talbot," Allan said, concluding the introductions.
"Seton . . . Seton . . ." Lord Talbot repeated thoughtfully. "I've heard that name before."
"Perhaps you remember it from the misunderstanding I had with your mayor a few weeks ago," Christopher suggested.
Lord Talbot looked at him curiously. "So you're the one who dueled with Farrell, eh? Well, I can't hold that against you. That young whelp brews trouble wherever he goes."
"Mr. Seton is here in Mawbry on business," Allan stated. "He might be interested in acquiring a country estate close by."
Lord Talbot chuckled. "Then I wish you good fortune, sir. 'Tis a great undertaking to establish lands and tenants, but in the long run it does have its rewards if you manage to accumulate the desired power. One must have wealth, however, to proceed."
Christopher met the man's deliberate stare. "I was wondering about Saxton Hall."
"Oh, you don't want that place," Claudia advised sweetly. " 'Tis half burned and full of ghosts. Why, anyone around here can tell you the place has been plagued by disasters."
"I really can't imagine the possibility of a foreigner acquiring either the lands or the hall." Lord Talbot perused the Yankee speculatively. "Are you a man of occupation, or a gentleman of leisure?"
"Actually I'm a little of both." Christopher flashed white teeth in a quick grin. "I own several vessels that trade in ports around the world, but I'm also very much a man of leisure."
Claudia's dark eyes took on a new gleam. "You must be very rich."
Christopher shrugged casually. "I manage a few creature comforts."
"Saxton Hall would be a worthy estate with its holdings of lands, but I'm afraid it's not available." Lord Talbot gave him a brief smile. "If it were, I would have had it myself some time ago."
"Papa, you'd own all of England if the King would let you," Claudia teased, patting his arm.
His lordship turned a rueful smile on her. "I need it to keep you in the finery you demand."
Claudia giggled. "Which reminds me, Papa. I promised the dressmaker that I would come by to select material for a new gown. Since you have business with the mayor, I shall have to find my own escort." The corners of her lips lifted impishly as she met Christopher's gaze. "Can I be so bold as to ask you to accompany me, Mr. Seton?"
"Claudia!" Her father spoke in shocked reproof. "You just met the
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