Read Online An Honorable Wish (A Lady's Wish 2) by Eileen Richards - Free Book Online

that I’m so far beneath you.”
    “This is about the Williamses. The chit is a farmer’s daughter, nothing more.”
    “No woman, regardless of her station, should be treated thus, Mr. Bartleby. That is what I cannot forgive.”
    He moved closer, threateningly closer. She fought the urge to cringe.
    His hands grabbed her arms so tight she couldn’t stop a wince of pain. “Release me.”
    “Think on this, Miss High and Mighty. I can ruin you. I can ruin your Mr. Matthews.”
    Her heart thudded in her chest. “You have no power over me or anyone else in this family.” Juliet fought to keep the tremor from her voice.
    His hands tightened, and she yelped with pain before she could stop herself. He grinned before shoving her away from him. Juliet backed away from him as quickly as she could, putting the chair between them. She rubbed at her arms and said, “Leave now and I will not mention your manner to my brother-in-law.”
    “How foolish you are, Miss Juliet. He’s done nothing but encourage the match. I suggest you get used to the idea of becoming my wife. It will happen.” Bartleby picked up his hat. “Good day, Miss Juliet.”
    Juliet collapsed against the chair, shaken.
    Surely Nathaniel could see the evil in this man. She had to make him believe it. Or Tony. Tony would understand. He would help her.
    Unfortunately, Sophia held those erotic books over her head.
    If she singled out Tony, Sophia would go to Anne with the books she had been reading and all hell would break loose. Nathaniel would marry her off to Bartleby to keep her from ruin.
    Juliet raced up the stairs to her room and closed the door. She dug the books from their hiding spot beneath the papers on her dressing table. Sagging with relief, she sank into her chair.
    They were still there. She clutched the books close. She would hide them. She would make sure Sophia couldn’t find them. No proof, and Anne would think Sophia was just making trouble again.
    But where? The library was the logical choice, but she’d never get into the library without being discovered. She didn’t relish explaining to anyone why she had the books in her possession. Sophia wouldn’t hesitate to rifle through most of the rooms, except perhaps Tony’s room.
    His room was perfect. She’d hide them in the bottom of his closet. No one would know the books were there and she could retrieve them when he left.
    She glanced at the clock. She still had time to sneak in and hide them before he returned from the Williams farm. She clutched the books and crept out of her room.
     
    Tony guided the horse down the tree-lined path, going over what he’d learned. After the discussion with Mr. Williams the previous day, he’d suspected the estate was mismanaged. It explained why Mr. Chelsworth was losing money. It explained the condition of the farm. It didn’t explain why Simon Bartleby was hounding the tenants for more money.
    Lack of crop rotation, bad weather, and many other factors would explain the poor performance. But that wasn’t what he’d heard from the other tenants. The tenants wanted to raise sheep and depend less on crops for cash. Bartleby had put a stop to it all.
    “I don’t know how you’re going to make sense of it. Not without talking to Chelsworth or Bartleby,” McDonald said as he rode beside him.
    “I know,” Tony said. “The only thing I can think of is that Bartleby wanted the land for himself. He’s the younger son of an earldom. What is he doing as a land steward?”
    “Perhaps the family has fallen on hard times,” McDonald suggested.
    “Perhaps, but why Juliet? Bartleby could find much wealthier young ladies in Town.” Anne had sold her mother’s jewels to provide dowries for the other two sisters. It wouldn’t have been enough to purchase an estate like Horneswood, no matter how cheap the price was.
    “Only Bartleby can confirm this story. It does seem odd that he’s not in London shopping for an heiress. Then again, Juliet is very