Read Online Blaze Wyndham by Bertrice Small - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Bertrice Small
Ads: Link
family resemblance?”
“I hope not! I find Master Anthony arrogant and impossible,” said Blaze furiously.
“What’s this?” pounced Bliss.
“This, as you put it, is nothing,” responded Blaze. “I simply do not like Master Anthony.”
“Why?” demanded Bliss. “You haven’t known the man long enough to either like or dislike him.”
Blaze pondered a moment. “I don’t know why,” she finally answered, “but he irritates me. I can only hope that his uncle is nothing like him, and that we will not have to see too much of him at RiversEdge.”
“That may not be possible,” warned Blythe. “From what that Heartha told Old Ada, the two men are but four years apart in age. They were raised together by your husband-to-be’s half-sister, Master Anthony’s mother. They are more like brothers, and very close. You had best hide your dislike, sister. Your husband-to-be and his nephew are friends as well as relations.”
“I can mask my feelings, Blythe. Later, when the children come, Master Anthony will be of less importance to my husband. My lord will have his own family and his nephew will no longer matter to him that much.”
“What’s this? What’s this?” Old Ada’s grizzled head popped around the door. “Why are ye not abed, my chicks? There is a wedding to be celebrated on the morrow, and ye’ll not look yer best, any of ye, if ye don’t get yer sleep. To bed with all of ye!” she scolded fondly as she chased Delight, Vanora, and the second set of twins from the little chamber.
The room had grown chilly with the night. Bliss and Blythe quickly undressed down to their chemises while Blaze pulled back the covers. The three sisters climbed into their bed, pressing together for warmth.
“It will seem strange tomorrow night without you, Blaze,” said Blythe.
“Take Delight in with you,” came the reply. “She’s nearer in age to you both than she is to Vanora and the other twins. Mother will probably want to separate Glenna from Gavin now that she has the room. As the only boy, he really ought to have his own chamber. If Glenna goes in with Vanora, Larke, and Linnette, it will really be too crowded for Delight. She would be thrilled if you would ask her to join you, Bliss.” Blaze knew that Blythe was more generous of heart, and would gladly have Delight share their chamber now that she was apprised of the situation.
“Oh, let the little brat join us,” said Bliss grudgingly. “As I sleep in the middle, I shall freeze to death this winter unless I have another body beside me.” She put her back to Blaze. “I’ll tell her in the morning,” she finished, and then with her usual habit dropped off almost immediately to sleep.
“She is going to miss you more than she will admit, Blaze,” said Blythe softly in the darkness.
“I know, and I will miss her too.”
The room grew quiet once more. Soon Blaze heard Blythe’s even breathing, and knew that she had fallen asleep also. It was all so familiar and safe, but tomorrow she would be torn from the haven of security that she had known all her life. She would begin a new life with a stranger in a strange place. Blaze considered. She wasn’t really frightened, for she knew her parents would not have allowed this marriage if they were not certain that Lord Wyndham was a good and decent man. She understood the logic for this sudden change in plans, for a proxy marriage ceremony and a swift return to RiversEdge. Logic always prevailed. Yet deep within her burned a small flame of angry resentment. She knew she had no choice but to trust the judgment of the Earl of Langford in the matter of his people’s welfare. Still, she could not help but think he might have left RiversEdge for one day. Was one day so very much?
Blaze turned onto her side. Tomorrow should have been the most memorable day in her life. It was her wedding day, and now it was spoilt! Instead of a day of feasting and joy, it would be a hurried affair. She would leave
“I hope not! I find Master Anthony arrogant and impossible,” said Blaze furiously.
“What’s this?” pounced Bliss.
“This, as you put it, is nothing,” responded Blaze. “I simply do not like Master Anthony.”
“Why?” demanded Bliss. “You haven’t known the man long enough to either like or dislike him.”
Blaze pondered a moment. “I don’t know why,” she finally answered, “but he irritates me. I can only hope that his uncle is nothing like him, and that we will not have to see too much of him at RiversEdge.”
“That may not be possible,” warned Blythe. “From what that Heartha told Old Ada, the two men are but four years apart in age. They were raised together by your husband-to-be’s half-sister, Master Anthony’s mother. They are more like brothers, and very close. You had best hide your dislike, sister. Your husband-to-be and his nephew are friends as well as relations.”
“I can mask my feelings, Blythe. Later, when the children come, Master Anthony will be of less importance to my husband. My lord will have his own family and his nephew will no longer matter to him that much.”
“What’s this? What’s this?” Old Ada’s grizzled head popped around the door. “Why are ye not abed, my chicks? There is a wedding to be celebrated on the morrow, and ye’ll not look yer best, any of ye, if ye don’t get yer sleep. To bed with all of ye!” she scolded fondly as she chased Delight, Vanora, and the second set of twins from the little chamber.
The room had grown chilly with the night. Bliss and Blythe quickly undressed down to their chemises while Blaze pulled back the covers. The three sisters climbed into their bed, pressing together for warmth.
“It will seem strange tomorrow night without you, Blaze,” said Blythe.
“Take Delight in with you,” came the reply. “She’s nearer in age to you both than she is to Vanora and the other twins. Mother will probably want to separate Glenna from Gavin now that she has the room. As the only boy, he really ought to have his own chamber. If Glenna goes in with Vanora, Larke, and Linnette, it will really be too crowded for Delight. She would be thrilled if you would ask her to join you, Bliss.” Blaze knew that Blythe was more generous of heart, and would gladly have Delight share their chamber now that she was apprised of the situation.
“Oh, let the little brat join us,” said Bliss grudgingly. “As I sleep in the middle, I shall freeze to death this winter unless I have another body beside me.” She put her back to Blaze. “I’ll tell her in the morning,” she finished, and then with her usual habit dropped off almost immediately to sleep.
“She is going to miss you more than she will admit, Blaze,” said Blythe softly in the darkness.
“I know, and I will miss her too.”
The room grew quiet once more. Soon Blaze heard Blythe’s even breathing, and knew that she had fallen asleep also. It was all so familiar and safe, but tomorrow she would be torn from the haven of security that she had known all her life. She would begin a new life with a stranger in a strange place. Blaze considered. She wasn’t really frightened, for she knew her parents would not have allowed this marriage if they were not certain that Lord Wyndham was a good and decent man. She understood the logic for this sudden change in plans, for a proxy marriage ceremony and a swift return to RiversEdge. Logic always prevailed. Yet deep within her burned a small flame of angry resentment. She knew she had no choice but to trust the judgment of the Earl of Langford in the matter of his people’s welfare. Still, she could not help but think he might have left RiversEdge for one day. Was one day so very much?
Blaze turned onto her side. Tomorrow should have been the most memorable day in her life. It was her wedding day, and now it was spoilt! Instead of a day of feasting and joy, it would be a hurried affair. She would leave
Similar Books
