Read Online Carola Dunn by Christmas in the Country - Free Book Online

could not stop herself. Her gaze was drawn to Iain like a weary bird to its nest.
     “‘Why should I not love my love?
     “‘Why should not my love love me?
     “‘Why should I not ride after him
     “‘Since love to all is free?’“
     Iain watched her, his face stony all but his eyes, where his heart lay vulnerable, exposed for any to see whose attention was not fixed on the fair performer.
     At his side, Elspeth whispered, “Lud, to think I thought her singing wooden!” She looked at him and frowned. “Iain?”
     He essayed a smile. “She sings well, does she not?”
     Elspeth glanced at Cecily, then back at her brother. “Oh, my poor dear! I had not guessed. No hope?”
     “She is titled and wealthy.” Softly as he spoke, his voice cracked. “And if she were not, how could I stoop to stealing Jasper’s bride?”     
     

Chapter 7
     
     “Lady Cecily, I had not meant to speak for a few days yet.” Lord Avon’s voice was husky. “But tonight you are so enchanting I cannot delay.”
     Cecily moved away from her suitor to one of the gallery’s tall windows. Outside a near full moon sparkled on frosty gardens and, shining through the panes, gleamed on the silver net overskirt of her white satin ball-gown. She shivered. The moment had come, and she had utterly lost sight of the resigned meekness she needed now.
     “Sir?” she quavered.
     “Cecily, you cannot be unaware of my intention. I own that I formed it in a spirit of dutiful compliance with my parents’ wishes, but in the past week I have come to believe I am lucky beyond my deserts to have chosen you. Will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?”
     Wife. If he had simply asked for her hand, she might have brought herself to say yes. If he had spoken the word “marriage,” it would not have made her flinch. But wife was so intimate a term! She could not be his wife.
     She could not bear it, and—in a flash the realization came to her—she would be cheating him. He did not deserve a wife who loved someone else.
     “I cannot!” she wailed. “I meant to say yes, truly I did. I would not for the world have let you imagine I intended to say yes if I had not.”
     “Dutiful compliance with your parents’ wishes?” he wryly echoed himself. Hands on her shoulders, he turned her so that the light from the wall sconces fell on her face. “But when it comes to the point, you find the idea so distasteful.... I had thought we might deal very well together. Do you dislike me so much? No.” He laid a finger on her lips. “I shall not press you for an answer.”
     “Indeed, sir, I don’t dislike you at all,” Cecily assured him. “I would gladly have done my duty, but then....” She faltered, but she owed him an explanation. “You see, quite unexpectedly I fell in love.”
     Lord Avon raised his eyebrows, his expression reflective. “I do see. Now who...? Good Lord! Forgive me if I dare hazard a guess. Is it Iain?”
     She nodded, with difficulty holding back a flood of tears.
     “Then you are quite right, we cannot marry. I find I have no desire whatever to be wed to my cousin’s beloved.” He paused. “Forgive me again, I suppose he does love you?”
     “I...I think so. He has not said.”
     “No, he wouldn’t, knowing of the understanding between us—between our families, perhaps I should say. I’ll tell him that is at an end.”
     “Th-thank you, but it won’t h-help! Mama and Papa will never let me marry a d-doctor.”
     “And Iain is too proud to press his suit so far above his rank and fortune,” Lord Avon said thoughtfully. “Now don’t cry, Cecily, I beg of you.” He pressed a handkerchief into her hand. “We must return to the ball room looking well pleased with each other if we are to baffle the gossipmongers.”
     “There is b-bound to be the horridest gossip anyway. Everyone believes we are practically b-betrothed.”
     He put on his haughtiest air. “You and I, my