Read Online Loving You (Remembrance Series, Book 2) by Cynthia P. O'Neill - Free Book Online
Authors: Cynthia P. O'Neill
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reflection of my mother in undress with her caraco and petticoat. However, her hair was much longer and placed up under a cotton cap.
She directed me to the parlor, where I expected to see Aaron waiting for me. I could feel my footsteps falter when I saw Lucinda smiling, rather pleasantly, at me. “Thank you Mrs. Clark.” She turned to me. “I would like to request a moment of your time, Hannah, to discuss something in private.”
I looked to my mother, hoping to convey that I did not want to be left alone with this woman. Instead I heard, “I need to tend to dinner. I will leave you two to discuss. There is hot tea and biscuits on the side table.”
Lucinda walked over and poured herself a cup of tea before taking a place on the Chippendale settee. I decided to skip the tea and sit in the upholstered side chair across from her. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today, Lucinda?” I asked, mildly curious.
She took a sip of the tea before glancing my way. “This visit is far from pleasurable for me. I have come to warn you away from Aaron. No good can come of your pairing.” Her eyes glowed a slight red in the center and her stare froze me to my seat. “Mark my words, Hannah, you WILL NEVER marry him! If you proceed forward with your plans, I assure you that your family’s name will be destroyed.”
I sat there in trepidation of her boisterous claims. After a time, I was finally able to speak. “Betrothed or not, he has declared his love for me, alone. What gives you the impression that he would so willingly take your hand? Do you act so brazen with all the citizens of our colony? Is that how you achieved your social standing, through intimidation?”
She sat her tea down onto the side table before standing up and fisting her hands. Her voice was dark and controlled. “You had better head my warning or your father’s credibility as a doctor will be shaken in this community. I must take my leave and go pay MY betrothed a visit.”
“I would bid you a good day, though you have sadly attempted to ruin mine. Your vile words have fallen on deaf ears. Aaron will hear of your visit and we will let love and fate decide whose hand he will take.” I paused to gather my strength for one final blow. “Horrid words and empty threats are unappealing coming from someone who is supposedly a lady of culture. My father is the only doctor in this community and well respected, at that. With the backing of the Franklin’s, the Washington’s and other leaders of the city, he will continue to thrive.”
Apparently my words caught her off guard, as she stormed toward the entry and took her leave. She glanced back only once. “You may have won this battle of wits, Hannah, but I will win this war!”
I watched out the window, as she marched down the street and to her awaiting carriage. There was another young woman awaiting her return. When the woman leaned forward, my breath caught as I recognized the red waves escaping her cap and saw Rebecca, whose deep scowl and glowing red eyes were aimed directly at me.
I felt the darkness creeping in and smothering me; I was unable to breathe. Spontaneously, my hand flew up to grasp hold of my throat, trying to will air back into my lungs.
“Jordan, wake up.” Gregory’s panicked voice called out to me, gently shaking my shoulders.
My eyes popped open as he gently lifted my torso. I finally managed to take in a breath of air, with a deep gasp, causing my ribs and lungs to hurt. Gregory’s hands were gently wrapped around me, rubbing up and down my arms trying to soothe me. “It’s okay, honey. I’m right here. Just take small breaths to calm your breathing.”
I nodded, in understanding, and began to take small, cleansing breaths to steady myself and slow my rapid heart rate. The dream had definitely scared me to the point of a panic attack. What was with the glowing red eyes and both of them teaming up, together? Was one the main culprit and the other a coerced
She directed me to the parlor, where I expected to see Aaron waiting for me. I could feel my footsteps falter when I saw Lucinda smiling, rather pleasantly, at me. “Thank you Mrs. Clark.” She turned to me. “I would like to request a moment of your time, Hannah, to discuss something in private.”
I looked to my mother, hoping to convey that I did not want to be left alone with this woman. Instead I heard, “I need to tend to dinner. I will leave you two to discuss. There is hot tea and biscuits on the side table.”
Lucinda walked over and poured herself a cup of tea before taking a place on the Chippendale settee. I decided to skip the tea and sit in the upholstered side chair across from her. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today, Lucinda?” I asked, mildly curious.
She took a sip of the tea before glancing my way. “This visit is far from pleasurable for me. I have come to warn you away from Aaron. No good can come of your pairing.” Her eyes glowed a slight red in the center and her stare froze me to my seat. “Mark my words, Hannah, you WILL NEVER marry him! If you proceed forward with your plans, I assure you that your family’s name will be destroyed.”
I sat there in trepidation of her boisterous claims. After a time, I was finally able to speak. “Betrothed or not, he has declared his love for me, alone. What gives you the impression that he would so willingly take your hand? Do you act so brazen with all the citizens of our colony? Is that how you achieved your social standing, through intimidation?”
She sat her tea down onto the side table before standing up and fisting her hands. Her voice was dark and controlled. “You had better head my warning or your father’s credibility as a doctor will be shaken in this community. I must take my leave and go pay MY betrothed a visit.”
“I would bid you a good day, though you have sadly attempted to ruin mine. Your vile words have fallen on deaf ears. Aaron will hear of your visit and we will let love and fate decide whose hand he will take.” I paused to gather my strength for one final blow. “Horrid words and empty threats are unappealing coming from someone who is supposedly a lady of culture. My father is the only doctor in this community and well respected, at that. With the backing of the Franklin’s, the Washington’s and other leaders of the city, he will continue to thrive.”
Apparently my words caught her off guard, as she stormed toward the entry and took her leave. She glanced back only once. “You may have won this battle of wits, Hannah, but I will win this war!”
I watched out the window, as she marched down the street and to her awaiting carriage. There was another young woman awaiting her return. When the woman leaned forward, my breath caught as I recognized the red waves escaping her cap and saw Rebecca, whose deep scowl and glowing red eyes were aimed directly at me.
I felt the darkness creeping in and smothering me; I was unable to breathe. Spontaneously, my hand flew up to grasp hold of my throat, trying to will air back into my lungs.
“Jordan, wake up.” Gregory’s panicked voice called out to me, gently shaking my shoulders.
My eyes popped open as he gently lifted my torso. I finally managed to take in a breath of air, with a deep gasp, causing my ribs and lungs to hurt. Gregory’s hands were gently wrapped around me, rubbing up and down my arms trying to soothe me. “It’s okay, honey. I’m right here. Just take small breaths to calm your breathing.”
I nodded, in understanding, and began to take small, cleansing breaths to steady myself and slow my rapid heart rate. The dream had definitely scared me to the point of a panic attack. What was with the glowing red eyes and both of them teaming up, together? Was one the main culprit and the other a coerced
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