Read Online Angelina by Janet Woods - Free Book Online Page A

disappointed if you’re not here.”
    “She’ll survive.” Frey dropped a kiss on her head and opened the cottage door. Rosabelle had always enjoyed queening it over him, even as a child. “You shouldn’t encourage her to come here, Ma. If she gets caught there will be hell to pay.”
    “She’ s too clever to get caught.” His mother’s eyes began to shine. “The Marquis of Northbridge has asked for her hand. Imagine that, my little Rosabelle a Marchioness.”
    He gazed at his mother for long seconds. “Lady Rosabelle isn’t yours, she’s the daughter of Elizabeth Wrey.”  
    Unconcerned, Mary snorted. She’s never been a real mother to her.
    “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes if Lady Elizabeth decides she’s had enough,” Frey warned. “This latest indignity -”
    “And what’s she going to do about it?” His mother’s words were little whiplashes of scorn. “It’s not my fault her child didn’t die like it was supposed to. The earl should have waited until the runt was dead before he -” Abruptly, she stopped her tirade.
    Frey’s eyes were sharp on her face. “Before he what?”
    “Nothing,” she mumbled. “What happened aint none of my business, nor yours either.” 
    Two strides brought him back to her side. “Like hell it isn’t! You were there at the infirmary at the time.”  His hands clamped around her arms to stop her turning away. “I’m not so stupid that I don’t know the earl’s been giving you regular payments all these years. Everyone knows I’m his bastard so it isn’t that. He’s paying you to keep your mouth shut about something. You can’t tell me he pays you that amount of money for the odd tumble. He could buy something younger for less.”
    She bridled at the sting of his insult. “You watch your lip, Frey Mellor,” she
    snapped. “I’m not so old that I’ve forgotten how to make a man happy.” Her eyes lit up when the sound of a horse snickering came from the back meadow. “There’s my Rosabelle,” she cried out, trying to struggle free from his grip.
    Frey jerked her back to face him. “So that’s it,” he breathed. “Rosabelle Wrey is your child. She was substituted at birth for the other one.” His mother’s eyes flew open in shock. “That’s it, isn’t it, ma? That’s what keeps the earl paying up. Your silence.” He dropped her arms and turned towards the door. 
    Desperately she ran after him, and grabbing his sleeve held on tight when he tried to shake her free. “Rosabelle’s not mine, I swear. I hadn’t even met the earl when she was born. She was an orphan child he took a fancy too when he thought his own was dying. He wanted the infant for his wife. He wanted her to have a child.”
    “Then why didn’t he give her one in the normal way?” he said harshly.
    “The countess nearly died when she delivered that child. He loves his wife. He couldn’t bear the thought he might lose her in childbirth, so he left her alone and turned to me.”
    Frey was prepared to believe her. “And you took advantage of him.”
    “It wasn’t like that.” Tears came to her eyes. “Oh, it was at first. Then when you were born he was good to us and I grew fond of him. I know he’s not a generous man, but he’s honourable. He’s looked after us and has given you a good education. I’m grateful to him for that.” 
    “And what about Elizabeth Wrey? Did you give no thought to what she might be suffering?”
    “You’re not going to tell her, are you Frey.”
    “Tell her. A lady like her wouldn’t give the likes of me the time of day.” 
    His mother lowered her voice to a whisper when they heard a light tap at the back door. “Everyone thinks them girls is twins now, including the countess. If you tell anyone the truth, the earl will kick us out of this cottage and out of the county.” She gazed at him in mute appeal. “Think what it would do to Rosabelle.”
    “Ah yes...Lady Rosabelle.” Frey gave an ironic grin as the girl