Read Online His Impassioned Proposal (The Bridgethorpe Brides) by Aileen Fish - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Aileen Fish
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She felt warm, like the moment before she tossed up a meal into the bedpan when she was ill. She wanted to believe what she said, in spite of the voice inside her begging her to take it all back.
Hannah frowned. “This is all so sudden. We were just speaking of finding a friend of Stephen’s to become my husband so we might be sisters.”
“We shall look for two gentlemen who are brothers, or as close as we, then, when we go to London.” She needed a distraction, another subject to discuss with Hannah. “I have it. We shall practice tonight on the Barnes brothers. They will surely ask us to dance, and we can contrive it so we stand up with them in the same set. Then we might flirt with them and see how much more fun it might be if we enjoy their company together.”
“Well, I suppose we might try. But I really have no wish to marry either of them.”
“Of course you don’t. But that is not the point. This will prepare us for when we go to London. Spring is not so very far away. We must be ready. We’ll have a battle plan equal to any soldier’s.” A vision of Stephen in his stiff, bright red regimental coat came to her and she bit her lip. She must stop thinking of him at every turn.
Chapter Eight
The weather turned cold the week following Lady Carrington’s party, and Jane saw little of Hannah or anyone else. Rain settled in, making the roads unsuitable for riding, and even less so for walking. And so Jane stayed home and read, or painted, or wrote letters. She even found herself sitting at the pianoforte, displaying her poor skills for the servants.
She couldn’t recall feeling quite so restless, so trapped by the weather. This winter was starting no differently from any other. The only slight change was Stephen being safely home from battle. Since she was determined not to marry him, his being in the same shire should have no bearing on her mood.
The chance he might attend his uncle’s Twelfth Night activities was most assuredly not the cause of her racing heartbeat as she dressed for the evening, choosing a rich green velvet gown and matching emerald earrings, and allowing her maid to weave some holly leaves and pearls into the curls piled on her head.
Stephen was the farthest thing from her thoughts when she turned this way and that before her looking glass. No man of any importance would be attending the rout at Bridgethorpe Manor. She had no excuse for wanting to look far beyond her best. No reason other than wanting her appearance to reflect how she felt on the inside. The new year had begun, and she was determined to make the most of it. A fresh start, and quite possibly the most important year of her life. She was determined to fall in love before summer arrived.
Father wanted to bring out the sleigh for the ride to Bridgethorpe, but the snow two days prior had already melted. Still, the evening air was cold enough to warrant heavy lap robes in the carriage, and the windows were thick with fog.
Bridgethorpe Manor glowed brightly with light from lamps and candles, giving a cheery atmosphere that buoyed Jane’s excitement. Only a few other neighboring families would be joining them, and from the laughter bubbling down the staircase, the Marwicks were the last to arrive.
Hannah rushed to Jane’s side when they entered the large parlor. “You are here! Now my evening is complete.”
Jane laughed. “This will be the last time I hear you speak those words. Soon it will be a gentleman’s name on your lips when you say so.”
“Never. No man will ever come between us. I treasure your friendship so.” Hannah linked her arm in Jane’s and led her toward the fireplace. “Come, get warm, and we can ask Mama when the games will begin.”
And games there were plenty. Charades, of course, as David and Hannah were excellent actors, was followed by the silent Tableaux Vivants , a party game during which Jane and Hannah were notorious for erupting into giggles. The disruption was inevitable when
Hannah frowned. “This is all so sudden. We were just speaking of finding a friend of Stephen’s to become my husband so we might be sisters.”
“We shall look for two gentlemen who are brothers, or as close as we, then, when we go to London.” She needed a distraction, another subject to discuss with Hannah. “I have it. We shall practice tonight on the Barnes brothers. They will surely ask us to dance, and we can contrive it so we stand up with them in the same set. Then we might flirt with them and see how much more fun it might be if we enjoy their company together.”
“Well, I suppose we might try. But I really have no wish to marry either of them.”
“Of course you don’t. But that is not the point. This will prepare us for when we go to London. Spring is not so very far away. We must be ready. We’ll have a battle plan equal to any soldier’s.” A vision of Stephen in his stiff, bright red regimental coat came to her and she bit her lip. She must stop thinking of him at every turn.
Chapter Eight
The weather turned cold the week following Lady Carrington’s party, and Jane saw little of Hannah or anyone else. Rain settled in, making the roads unsuitable for riding, and even less so for walking. And so Jane stayed home and read, or painted, or wrote letters. She even found herself sitting at the pianoforte, displaying her poor skills for the servants.
She couldn’t recall feeling quite so restless, so trapped by the weather. This winter was starting no differently from any other. The only slight change was Stephen being safely home from battle. Since she was determined not to marry him, his being in the same shire should have no bearing on her mood.
The chance he might attend his uncle’s Twelfth Night activities was most assuredly not the cause of her racing heartbeat as she dressed for the evening, choosing a rich green velvet gown and matching emerald earrings, and allowing her maid to weave some holly leaves and pearls into the curls piled on her head.
Stephen was the farthest thing from her thoughts when she turned this way and that before her looking glass. No man of any importance would be attending the rout at Bridgethorpe Manor. She had no excuse for wanting to look far beyond her best. No reason other than wanting her appearance to reflect how she felt on the inside. The new year had begun, and she was determined to make the most of it. A fresh start, and quite possibly the most important year of her life. She was determined to fall in love before summer arrived.
Father wanted to bring out the sleigh for the ride to Bridgethorpe, but the snow two days prior had already melted. Still, the evening air was cold enough to warrant heavy lap robes in the carriage, and the windows were thick with fog.
Bridgethorpe Manor glowed brightly with light from lamps and candles, giving a cheery atmosphere that buoyed Jane’s excitement. Only a few other neighboring families would be joining them, and from the laughter bubbling down the staircase, the Marwicks were the last to arrive.
Hannah rushed to Jane’s side when they entered the large parlor. “You are here! Now my evening is complete.”
Jane laughed. “This will be the last time I hear you speak those words. Soon it will be a gentleman’s name on your lips when you say so.”
“Never. No man will ever come between us. I treasure your friendship so.” Hannah linked her arm in Jane’s and led her toward the fireplace. “Come, get warm, and we can ask Mama when the games will begin.”
And games there were plenty. Charades, of course, as David and Hannah were excellent actors, was followed by the silent Tableaux Vivants , a party game during which Jane and Hannah were notorious for erupting into giggles. The disruption was inevitable when
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