Read Online Ransome's Crossing by Kaye Dacus - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kaye Dacus
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thought of Henry Winchester.
But no. Henry waited for her in Jamaica. She loved Henry…didn’t she? “You are mistaken, Miss Fairfax. I am not in love with Lieutenant Cochrane.”
“Good. Because when you come to the country with us, there shall be gentlemen aplenty for you to choose from.” Penelope hooked her arm through Charlotte’s and led her toward the dining room.
In love with Ned Cochrane? Impossible. But her heart called her a liar.
W illiam watched Charlotte and the Fairfax girl until they disappeared into another room. He still was not convinced the Fairfaxes were good companions for his sister, but as Mother and Julia countered all his objections with sound arguments as to the favorability and advantage to Charlotte the connection to the Fairfaxes provided, he kept his concerns to himself.
“Lady Dalrymple, you’ve returned.”
Julia’s voice brought William’s attention back to the conservatory. The dowager viscountess swept into the room like an admiral into a room full of midshipmen. Julia seemed to be the only woman in the room not flustered by the aristocrat’s presence.
“How is your daughter feeling?” Julia asked when Lady Dalrymple stopped beside her.
“She is well. Uncomfortable, but well.” The viscountess leaned closer to Julia. “I do not mind telling you, Mrs. Ransome, that I have gone against her wishes and contacted her husband to demand he come here and try to reconcile before the baby comes.”
“And if he does not come?”
The brow over Lady Dalrymple’s green eye arched. “He will come, even if I have to send my own men to London to fetch him.”
William, trying to appear disinterested in the women’s talk, allowed the slightest smile to touch his lips. There was something to be said about having the wealth and power a title brought when placed in the hands of someone like Lady Dalrymple, who wielded both well.
“There you are.” A shrill voice made Julia startle and Lady Dalrymple close her mismatched eyes. William gritted his teeth at the approach of Lady Fairfax.
“If you will excuse me.” Lady Dalrymple inclined her head to William, Julia, and the baroness, and then departed. Fortunate woman.
“I have been wanting to have a word with the two of you all evening. I have heard the most remarkable story and knew I must tell you right away.” The portly woman sidled up to Julia, taking up the place Lady Dalrymple had just vacated. The aroma of rotting flowers wafted over William and turned his stomach.
“My lady, I’m certain your story is quite interesting, however—”
“Sir Drake is out of debtor’s prison.”
It took all William’s strength to keep from staggering back from the verbal blow. Julia’s hand tightened around his arm, and she leaned heavily into his side.
“How…how is that possible?”
An almost maniacal gleam flickered to life in Lady Fairfax’s eyes. “My cousin in London informed me that a certain Lady Henrietta Stokesbury—a woman whose knighted husband died very wealthy, leaving everything to his childless widow—had been a favorite of your cousin’s during his time in Town. When she learned of his plight, she paid off his most pressing debts and got him released. The word is that they plan to marry almost immediately.”
“I pray my cousin will find…much joy in his new life.” Julia’s voice came out choked, as if she had a stone lodged in her throat.
“As well you should.” Lady Fairfax glanced around, and then she leaned forward as if to reveal a vast conspiracy to Julia. “I have it on good authority that not only is Lady Stokesbury’s reputation less than sterling, she is considered to be somewhat of a shrew. My cousin says it is this reason why the lady remains unmarried, though she has been on the hunt for a titled gentleman for many years.”
Against him, Julia’s body began to tremble. William removed her hand from the crook of his elbow and placed his arm around her waist to lend her additional
But no. Henry waited for her in Jamaica. She loved Henry…didn’t she? “You are mistaken, Miss Fairfax. I am not in love with Lieutenant Cochrane.”
“Good. Because when you come to the country with us, there shall be gentlemen aplenty for you to choose from.” Penelope hooked her arm through Charlotte’s and led her toward the dining room.
In love with Ned Cochrane? Impossible. But her heart called her a liar.
W illiam watched Charlotte and the Fairfax girl until they disappeared into another room. He still was not convinced the Fairfaxes were good companions for his sister, but as Mother and Julia countered all his objections with sound arguments as to the favorability and advantage to Charlotte the connection to the Fairfaxes provided, he kept his concerns to himself.
“Lady Dalrymple, you’ve returned.”
Julia’s voice brought William’s attention back to the conservatory. The dowager viscountess swept into the room like an admiral into a room full of midshipmen. Julia seemed to be the only woman in the room not flustered by the aristocrat’s presence.
“How is your daughter feeling?” Julia asked when Lady Dalrymple stopped beside her.
“She is well. Uncomfortable, but well.” The viscountess leaned closer to Julia. “I do not mind telling you, Mrs. Ransome, that I have gone against her wishes and contacted her husband to demand he come here and try to reconcile before the baby comes.”
“And if he does not come?”
The brow over Lady Dalrymple’s green eye arched. “He will come, even if I have to send my own men to London to fetch him.”
William, trying to appear disinterested in the women’s talk, allowed the slightest smile to touch his lips. There was something to be said about having the wealth and power a title brought when placed in the hands of someone like Lady Dalrymple, who wielded both well.
“There you are.” A shrill voice made Julia startle and Lady Dalrymple close her mismatched eyes. William gritted his teeth at the approach of Lady Fairfax.
“If you will excuse me.” Lady Dalrymple inclined her head to William, Julia, and the baroness, and then departed. Fortunate woman.
“I have been wanting to have a word with the two of you all evening. I have heard the most remarkable story and knew I must tell you right away.” The portly woman sidled up to Julia, taking up the place Lady Dalrymple had just vacated. The aroma of rotting flowers wafted over William and turned his stomach.
“My lady, I’m certain your story is quite interesting, however—”
“Sir Drake is out of debtor’s prison.”
It took all William’s strength to keep from staggering back from the verbal blow. Julia’s hand tightened around his arm, and she leaned heavily into his side.
“How…how is that possible?”
An almost maniacal gleam flickered to life in Lady Fairfax’s eyes. “My cousin in London informed me that a certain Lady Henrietta Stokesbury—a woman whose knighted husband died very wealthy, leaving everything to his childless widow—had been a favorite of your cousin’s during his time in Town. When she learned of his plight, she paid off his most pressing debts and got him released. The word is that they plan to marry almost immediately.”
“I pray my cousin will find…much joy in his new life.” Julia’s voice came out choked, as if she had a stone lodged in her throat.
“As well you should.” Lady Fairfax glanced around, and then she leaned forward as if to reveal a vast conspiracy to Julia. “I have it on good authority that not only is Lady Stokesbury’s reputation less than sterling, she is considered to be somewhat of a shrew. My cousin says it is this reason why the lady remains unmarried, though she has been on the hunt for a titled gentleman for many years.”
Against him, Julia’s body began to tremble. William removed her hand from the crook of his elbow and placed his arm around her waist to lend her additional
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