Read Online Come the Dawn by Christina Skye - Free Book Online

face was level with hers. Very carefully he brushed back a strand of hair from her cheek. “Of course not, Daffodil. Who else would teach me how to play Spillikins and Chase-the-mouse? Just think of all I’d be missing.”
    The little girl nodded soberly, then took a step out from behind India’s skirts. “I’m glad,” she said softly. “Because if we hadn’t come here, I don’t know what we would have done.”
    “So that’s where you’ve gotten to.”
    The three children spun around as a dour-looking individual came charging down the stairs, a shawl flying at her shoulders. “You’re not to be trusted, not the lot of you! I can see I shall have to be more strict with you in the future, so I can break this outrageous behavior of yours once and for all!”
    So this was the children’s governess, India thought. The woman’s cheeks were unnaturally flushed, no doubt from the drink that Alexis had so innocently described.
    “What you will do, Miss Porter, is see the children to bed,” Thorne said curtly. “And tomorrow morning you will present yourself at my study at precisely seven o’clock, when we shall discuss your future here. Or the lack of one.”
    The woman’s eyes widened. She started to make an angry reply, but contented herself with a little hissing puff of breath before turning to shoo the children before her up the stairs.
    India felt her heart catch as Alexis gave a sad wave before disappearing.
    “By now you understand that they are not my children,” Thornwood said harshly. “I found them wandering quite parentless in a little village outside Quatre Bras. I took them in and saw to their needs. When no relative could be found, I brought them back with me to London. But they are in sad need of discipline, I’m afraid.” He plunged his hands through his hair and laughed darkly. “But my little dramas can hold no interest for you. The hour is late, my lady, and your presence here is questionable, to say the least. I suggest that we discuss our problem tomorrow. At your residence, perhaps?”
    “There is no need to trouble yourself.” India raised her chin. “I wish to have no further contact with you. In one thing you were right, Lord Thornwood. I see now that the man I knew, the man I loved and married, died at Waterloo. I have no interest whatsoever in the stranger who has come back in his place.”
    Thorne frowned. “Enough of this skirmishing. We are two adults. I’m certain we can be civilized about this whole tangled affair.”
    India gave a harsh laugh. “Civilized? If you knew anything about my family, you would realize that being civilized is not a Delamere strong point. In fact, you ought to be glad that I do not have my pistol about me.” She turned toward the door. “Good night, my lord. Of rather, good-bye.”
    “This is folly,” Thorne growled. “I insist you come back inside. I’ll send my man to fetch a hackney to carry you home.”
    “My safety is no concern of yours .” Trembling, India stepped around him. “You would do better to spend your time taking care of those poor children upstairs rather than worrying about me.” With that she stormed toward the front hall.
    For long moments the earl stood motionless, firelight dancing over his broad shoulders. He heard the tap of angry feet, followed by the woman’s voice raised firmly to a shocked Chilton and then the slam of the front door. He scowled and poured himself a glass of claret, which he drained too quickly for enjoyment or mental clarity.
    And then he threw the goblet into the fire. The fragile walls of glass shattered into a thousand pieces, their sharp edges winking from the roiling flames. It was madness, all madness. He knew that full well.
    But some things could not be changed.
    When the Earl of Thornwood strode from the library toward the kitchen moments later, there was nothing but angry determination in his steely eyes.

CHAPTER 6
     

     
    India could have sworn she was being followed.
    She