Read Online As You Are by Sarah M. Eden - Free Book Online Page A

have a book. For Edmund.” Mr. Jonquil’s eyes darted between her and Mr. Finley.
    “He promised to bring it,” Edmund quietly explained.
    Clara glanced quickly at the book in Edmund’s hand.
    “Mister!” Alice recognized their visitor quite suddenly. She bolted from Clara’s side and threw her arms around Mr. Jonquil’s right leg.
    “Alice,” Mr. Jonquil quietly greeted, gently patting Alice’s head.
    “Will you not come sit for a while?” Clara offered. Please stay , she silently pleaded. She was willing to fight for herself and the children but knew Mr. Jonquil’s presence would make that far easier. Mr. Finley was already less discomforting.
    “I cannot stay.” Mr. Jonquil’s eyes settled on Mr. Finley, his expression unreadable.
    “A moment at least?” she pressed. Please.
    Mr. Jonquil shook his head, his mouth set in a tight line.
    “Havenworth,” Clara blurted. “Mr. Finley was only just saying he has business at Havenworth. Indeed, he told me that was the very reason he was in the neighborhood.”
    Mr. Finley finally turned to Mr. Jonquil. They offered curt bows.
    “Finley,” Mr. Jonquil acknowledged the other man.
    “Jonquil,” was the equally ungallant reply.
    Clara slipped out of reach while Mr. Finley was distracted.
    “What business do you have at Havenworth?” Mr. Jonquil asked quietly.
    “Rumor has it Lord Cavratt will be descending on you shortly,” Mr. Finley said, with something like a smirk on his face. “Coming to look over the animals to be auctioned in a few months’ time.”
    Mr. Jonquil’s nod seemed reluctant.
    “I understand a brother or two will also be arriving,” Mr. Finley added. “As I am considering purchasing a pair for my phaeton, I thought I should have a peek myself.”
    “You can look,” Mr. Jonquil replied calmly. “But . . . but I decide who buys.”
    “Still harboring a little resentment, Jonquil?” Mr. Finley chuckled menacingly as he made his way closer to the doorway. He turned, a foot or two from Mr. Jonquil, and looked back at Clara. “Good day, my dear,” he offered with a sweeping bow.
    The two gentleman bumped shoulders as Mr. Finley passed through the doorway. Mr. Jonquil did not budge. He looked angry. Outside, horse’s hooves clattered away from the cottage. Clara breathed easier. Mr. Finley was gone.
    Mr. Jonquil, however, was not. He watched her quite closely, his gaze never wavering. She could think of nothing to say. Why did he look disappointed beneath his stern expression? And why did she feel guilty being the recipient of such a look? She’d done nothing wrong. Indeed, she’d defended herself against an ill-meaning man. She’d stood her ground. She had effectively sent Mr. Finley off.
    After a moment, Mr. Jonquil bowed quite properly, though not as elegantly as Mr. Finley had. Clara thought she heard a “Good day.”
    “And to you, Mr. Jonquil,” Clara managed, fighting a sudden urge to tear up. It was a completely illogical reaction but was forceful enough that she could not ignore it.
    What was happening to her? She had always been levelheaded. She never cried without reason, never found her emotions rising to the surface without warning. The past six months she had been stronger than in all the twenty-two years before that. Why was she crumbling now?
    “I will see you tomorrow, Mr. Jonquil,” Edmund said anxiously. Mr. Jonquil nodded at him and ruffled the boy’s hair.
    “Mister!” Alice called out to him, arms outstretched.
    He paused long enough to hunch down and kiss the top of her head before turning and walking away. The kindness of that gesture momentarily captured Clara’s entire attention.
    Mr. Finley’s exit had brought immediate, palpable relief. For reasons Clara could not begin to understand, seeing Mr. Jonquil go—Mr. Jonquil, who seemed to perpetually disapprove of her, who seemed ever eager to be out of her company—did not bring any relief, only a growing sense of confusion.

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