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Authors: Laura Landon
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those who live on Clythebrook as well.”
“Lady Clythebrook’s tenants have never gone without.”
“No. They haven’t. But Lady Clythebrook has. As have you.”
Ross rose from his chair and turned his back to her mutinous glare. He stood facing the lifeless fireplace for a moment. When he turned, he aimed his words as well as his penetrating gaze directly at her. “If you won’t do it for yourself or Lady Clythebrook, then think about the children.”
“How dare you.”
“Who supports Sacred Heart Orphanage?”
For a brief second, no one answered. Finally Lady Clythebrook spoke. “Lady Lindville often gives to the orphanage.”
“And does she provide for all of their needs?”
“She does what she can.”
“And you…?”
“I do what I can as well.” She lifted her chin and faced him with an inborn regal pride. “Josephine somehow finds enough to meet the children’s needs. We manage on what is left.”
“Now I am offering you an opportunity to be assured there will always be money left. At no cost to you whatsoever.”
Miss Foley lifted her chin and looked at Lady Clythebrook. “We’ll get by. We always have.”
“But the land Lord Rainforth is talking about is of little use, Josephine. What would it hurt if—”
“No!”
Ross arched his eyebrows in question. “Is there a reason why that particular land cannot be used, Miss Foley?”
“It’s not just that land. It’s all of it. We don’t want you on any of it.”
“Is that true, Lady Clythebrook?”
Ross stared at the small, fragile woman and waited. Confusion was written plainly on her face and Ross knew she was torn between the thought of doing what might be best for the people of Clythebrook, and Josephine Foley’s determination not to even consider his idea. She exhibited another slight hesitation then looked directly at him.
“Can you guarantee that this venture will realize a profit?”
“Not immediately, of course. But in a year at most—”
“The children can’t wait a year,” Miss Foley argued even more emphatically. “They need food and clothing every day.”
There was another long pause, then Lady Clythebrook set her cup and saucer on the small round table and looked at him. “I will consider it, Lord Rainforth. In the meantime, I want you to take Miss Foley out at your earliest convenience—”
Lady Clythebrook held up her hand when Miss Foley started to object.
“…and explain to her in detail everything you propose to do.”
“Of course,” Ross said, nodding in respectful compliance.
“If there’s anything with which she doesn’t agree, she’ll be free to voice her opposition, and an agreement will be reached before I make my final decision.”
“That’s fair enough. I’m free tomorrow. Does that meet with your approval?” he asked, turning to where Miss Foley was standing rigidly beside her chair.
Her look held a blatant warning and Ross knew there would be more than one item upon which the two of them disagreed.
“Until tomorrow then,” he said, saying his farewell, then taking his leave.
Tomorrow promised to be a very interesting day.
Jaded Moon
by Laura Landon
Ransomed Jewels Series Book Two
CHAPTER 5
“He’s here!” Jenny, one of the older girls yelled, running down the footpath to where Josie sat on a blanket beneath a chestnut tree reading to the younger children. The sun was out and the temperature was more reminiscent of late May than early March. The day had been perfect—until now.
Josie rose to her feet, then cast a quick glance up the path that led to the orphanage to make sure they were still safe. “Robbie. Charlie. Would you go with Jenny, please?”
“But Miss Josie. You’re not done with the story yet,” Robbie said, looking at her with a confused frown on his face.
“And you’re getting to the best part,” Charlie echoed, equally disappointed. “The baby bear’s gonna say, ‘Who’s been eating my porridge?’”
“I
“Lady Clythebrook’s tenants have never gone without.”
“No. They haven’t. But Lady Clythebrook has. As have you.”
Ross rose from his chair and turned his back to her mutinous glare. He stood facing the lifeless fireplace for a moment. When he turned, he aimed his words as well as his penetrating gaze directly at her. “If you won’t do it for yourself or Lady Clythebrook, then think about the children.”
“How dare you.”
“Who supports Sacred Heart Orphanage?”
For a brief second, no one answered. Finally Lady Clythebrook spoke. “Lady Lindville often gives to the orphanage.”
“And does she provide for all of their needs?”
“She does what she can.”
“And you…?”
“I do what I can as well.” She lifted her chin and faced him with an inborn regal pride. “Josephine somehow finds enough to meet the children’s needs. We manage on what is left.”
“Now I am offering you an opportunity to be assured there will always be money left. At no cost to you whatsoever.”
Miss Foley lifted her chin and looked at Lady Clythebrook. “We’ll get by. We always have.”
“But the land Lord Rainforth is talking about is of little use, Josephine. What would it hurt if—”
“No!”
Ross arched his eyebrows in question. “Is there a reason why that particular land cannot be used, Miss Foley?”
“It’s not just that land. It’s all of it. We don’t want you on any of it.”
“Is that true, Lady Clythebrook?”
Ross stared at the small, fragile woman and waited. Confusion was written plainly on her face and Ross knew she was torn between the thought of doing what might be best for the people of Clythebrook, and Josephine Foley’s determination not to even consider his idea. She exhibited another slight hesitation then looked directly at him.
“Can you guarantee that this venture will realize a profit?”
“Not immediately, of course. But in a year at most—”
“The children can’t wait a year,” Miss Foley argued even more emphatically. “They need food and clothing every day.”
There was another long pause, then Lady Clythebrook set her cup and saucer on the small round table and looked at him. “I will consider it, Lord Rainforth. In the meantime, I want you to take Miss Foley out at your earliest convenience—”
Lady Clythebrook held up her hand when Miss Foley started to object.
“…and explain to her in detail everything you propose to do.”
“Of course,” Ross said, nodding in respectful compliance.
“If there’s anything with which she doesn’t agree, she’ll be free to voice her opposition, and an agreement will be reached before I make my final decision.”
“That’s fair enough. I’m free tomorrow. Does that meet with your approval?” he asked, turning to where Miss Foley was standing rigidly beside her chair.
Her look held a blatant warning and Ross knew there would be more than one item upon which the two of them disagreed.
“Until tomorrow then,” he said, saying his farewell, then taking his leave.
Tomorrow promised to be a very interesting day.
Jaded Moon
by Laura Landon
Ransomed Jewels Series Book Two
CHAPTER 5
“He’s here!” Jenny, one of the older girls yelled, running down the footpath to where Josie sat on a blanket beneath a chestnut tree reading to the younger children. The sun was out and the temperature was more reminiscent of late May than early March. The day had been perfect—until now.
Josie rose to her feet, then cast a quick glance up the path that led to the orphanage to make sure they were still safe. “Robbie. Charlie. Would you go with Jenny, please?”
“But Miss Josie. You’re not done with the story yet,” Robbie said, looking at her with a confused frown on his face.
“And you’re getting to the best part,” Charlie echoed, equally disappointed. “The baby bear’s gonna say, ‘Who’s been eating my porridge?’”
“I
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