Read Online Everlasting by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss
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treasures. No evidence yet had confirmed the possibility that Desmond was guilty, but that didn’t mean he was innocent of any of those deeds, only devious enough to get away with them. Lest she blunder on in her avid abhorrence of the man, Cordelia deemed it necessary for the sake of her friend to distance herself from the couple, and crossed to the far side of the bridge.
Abrielle was thankful that Cordelia was not only intelligent but also keenly perceptive in a variety of ways. It was now necessary to be wary, considering that she would soon be Desmond’s wife. Weldon’s death had served to make Desmond a very rich man, far more than those of his first two wives had done, but all three deaths had greatly benefited her repugnant betrothed, which often left her wonderingnow if their passing had been something deliberately planned by the very one who had profited from it.
Avoiding the steward’s gaze, Abrielle reluctantly bestowed her attention upon Desmond and somehow managed to quell the nausea as she posed a question in sweetly muted tones. “Did you wish to speak with me about some particular matter, Desmond?”
Her use of his given name brought a smile of pleasure to his lips. “I was certainly hoping to, my dear. As you may be aware, Sir Vachel has presented the last draft of our marriage agreement for me to look over and sign. Except for several clauses here and there, I see nothing untoward to hinder the events that have thus far been planned for our wedding. Thurstan keeps my business affairs in order and is far more astute than I am in determining the practicability of such a contract. In this instance, he advises only a few minor changes ere the agreement is fully executed…”
“Does this mean that you’re now suffering doubts about the terms that you and my stepfather earlier agreed upon?” Abrielle asked, wishing she could rejoice, but feeling a cold dread at the thought of a future without this match. She would have to bluff her way through this. “If so, then I shall have to carry this news posthaste to my parents, since there is so little time remaining before the nuptials. We were under the impression that you were in full accord with everything that had been laid out when you finalized it with your personal seal and announced that we could be married after the hunts. It seems a poor late hour indeed to bring up other issues after the pact has been sanctioned by both parties. I can only wonder what you are now expecting.”
“Actually, there are only a few minor changes that need to be made ere the wedding,” Desmond hastened to assure her. Chortling, he tried to brush off any cause for concern with a casual wave of a plump hand. “I’m sure any differences your father and I may have over the actual wording of the agreement can be easily settled and anotherdocument written within the next pair of days, well in time for our wedding.”
Abrielle certainly wasn’t going to encourage the man by suggesting that a correction so near to that event would be easily tolerated, especially by her or her stepfather. “If you haven’t already noticed, Desmond, then you should be made aware that my stepfather has become rather adamant about this matter, so if you’re now of a different persuasion, then he should be informed posthaste.” She risked an outright lie, hoping to force the man to back down. “I have no doubt that before Sir Vachel takes up the matter with you again, he will be speaking with several petitioners who’ve recently come forth to express their own interest in having me as their wife.”
“Perhaps that would be wise—” Thurstan began in a gracious tone.
She felt a chill of fear that the nephew might be able to sway his uncle, leading to Vachel’s ruin.
But Desmond interrupted the man with an abrupt, slashing gesture of his hand as he tossed an angry glower toward him. Forcing a smile as he turned to her
Abrielle was thankful that Cordelia was not only intelligent but also keenly perceptive in a variety of ways. It was now necessary to be wary, considering that she would soon be Desmond’s wife. Weldon’s death had served to make Desmond a very rich man, far more than those of his first two wives had done, but all three deaths had greatly benefited her repugnant betrothed, which often left her wonderingnow if their passing had been something deliberately planned by the very one who had profited from it.
Avoiding the steward’s gaze, Abrielle reluctantly bestowed her attention upon Desmond and somehow managed to quell the nausea as she posed a question in sweetly muted tones. “Did you wish to speak with me about some particular matter, Desmond?”
Her use of his given name brought a smile of pleasure to his lips. “I was certainly hoping to, my dear. As you may be aware, Sir Vachel has presented the last draft of our marriage agreement for me to look over and sign. Except for several clauses here and there, I see nothing untoward to hinder the events that have thus far been planned for our wedding. Thurstan keeps my business affairs in order and is far more astute than I am in determining the practicability of such a contract. In this instance, he advises only a few minor changes ere the agreement is fully executed…”
“Does this mean that you’re now suffering doubts about the terms that you and my stepfather earlier agreed upon?” Abrielle asked, wishing she could rejoice, but feeling a cold dread at the thought of a future without this match. She would have to bluff her way through this. “If so, then I shall have to carry this news posthaste to my parents, since there is so little time remaining before the nuptials. We were under the impression that you were in full accord with everything that had been laid out when you finalized it with your personal seal and announced that we could be married after the hunts. It seems a poor late hour indeed to bring up other issues after the pact has been sanctioned by both parties. I can only wonder what you are now expecting.”
“Actually, there are only a few minor changes that need to be made ere the wedding,” Desmond hastened to assure her. Chortling, he tried to brush off any cause for concern with a casual wave of a plump hand. “I’m sure any differences your father and I may have over the actual wording of the agreement can be easily settled and anotherdocument written within the next pair of days, well in time for our wedding.”
Abrielle certainly wasn’t going to encourage the man by suggesting that a correction so near to that event would be easily tolerated, especially by her or her stepfather. “If you haven’t already noticed, Desmond, then you should be made aware that my stepfather has become rather adamant about this matter, so if you’re now of a different persuasion, then he should be informed posthaste.” She risked an outright lie, hoping to force the man to back down. “I have no doubt that before Sir Vachel takes up the matter with you again, he will be speaking with several petitioners who’ve recently come forth to express their own interest in having me as their wife.”
“Perhaps that would be wise—” Thurstan began in a gracious tone.
She felt a chill of fear that the nephew might be able to sway his uncle, leading to Vachel’s ruin.
But Desmond interrupted the man with an abrupt, slashing gesture of his hand as he tossed an angry glower toward him. Forcing a smile as he turned to her
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