Read Online Dangerous Decisions by Margaret Kaine - Free Book Online Page A

longer relevant. ‘Yes, of course I will.’
    Jacob drummed his fingers on the large, highly polished desk. ‘Then I hope you are right, my dear. And that a decision is reached very soon.’ However, as she came over to kiss his cheek before leaving, he couldn’t help but wonder whether he should have probed more into her feelings for Oliver. Did she love him in the way that he had loved his Mary? But how could a father broach such a delicate subject with his daughter, and although he rarely had a critical thought about his sister, Jacob did wish that Beatrice, with her brisk, no-nonsense attitude, could just sometimes forget her sense of duty and remember her womanly side.
    And so it was that when in the late afternoon Helena found herself guided by Oliver towards the rose arbour, her heart began to pound with both apprehension and relief. In an effort to remain calm, as they reached the trellis arch she breathed in the delicate fragrance of damask roses and bent to a beautiful white specimen nestling among its dark green foliage. ‘I love roses, don’t you?’
    Oliver smiled inwardly. Fond as he was of her, Helena was a romantic little goose, which was why he had so carefully chosen the scene for his proposal. Nothing must upset his plans, which was why he had deliberately delayed this moment, knowing that uncertainty would build pressure. His valet had already reported that Jacob Standish had only that morning summoned Helena to his study.
    As Helena straightened up, he took her hand and leaning forward, kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘Yes, of course. And I know you will love the extensive rose gardens at Graylings.’ He smiled and touched a tendril of her hair. ‘Helena, I refuse to subscribe to the ridiculous stance of going down on one knee. It is so undignified, do you not agree? And I don’t think my next words will come as a surprise to you.’ Oliver gazed down at her, utterly confident of her answer. ‘Please, Miss Helena Standish, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’
    Helena, conscious of the warm pressure of his hand in hers and the subtle cedar wood scent of his cologne, hesitated and then said the words that she knew would shape the rest of her life. ‘Yes, Oliver, of course I will marry you.’
    â€˜It’s champagne in the drawing room!’ Bostock came hurrying into the kitchen. ‘I knew it! Mr Faraday was in the master’s study for well over an hour.’
    â€˜Lord help us!’ Cook sat in the nearest chair. ‘He’s finally proposed.’
    â€˜What’s she said, Mr Bostock? Has Miss Helena accepted him?’ The younger of the two footmen looked up from his task of polishing the silver, while the other began to set out flutes on a silver tray.
    â€˜They’d hardly be drinking champagne if she hadn’t. I think this occasion calls for the Krug.’ He hurried away to the wine cellar.
    â€˜I wonder whether he went down on one knee,’ Molly said dreamily.
    â€˜That man would never do such a thing, he’s too full of his own self-importance!’ Annie stood at the door to the scullery, her eyes full of consternation. ‘And I for one wish he’d never set foot here.’
    â€˜Honestly, Annie, I don’t understand why you’re so against him.’ Ida began to stack a pile of clean napkins inside a deep drawer in the dresser.
    â€˜Do you like him, Ida?’
    She paused and then slowly shook her head. ‘I’m not sure, Annie. I mean, he’s
one of them
, isn’t he? And they’re different from us with all their formal manners and such. Perhaps that’s why he seems a bit on the cold side.’
    Molly bit into a broken half of shortbread. She felt worried. ‘I still think it’s strange that neither the valet nor the chauffeur will give anything away about him.’
    â€˜And he does have a way of making you feel invisible. But he