Read Online Sweet Bargain by Kate Moore - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kate Moore
Tags: Romance, Jane Austen, Historical Romance, Regency Romance, pride and prejudice, hampshire, trout fishing, austen romance
Ads: Link
done?"
She seemed now to imply that he was absurd, and her tone roused him from the lethargy that her nearness had created. His anger was back, and he felt powerless to contain it. For the first time in his life he had something that was wholly his, not Haverly's, not something carelessly abandoned by his parents, but his, and he would not endure any trespass against it. "Should I not accuse the only poachers I have caught in the act? Should I not suspect that those who would poach boldly by daylight would do worse under the concealment of night? Should I not suspect boys led by an unprincipled young woman, boys whose father knew my plans for Courtland better than any?"
"You accuse me of lack of principle? My father of indifference to his children's honor?"
"I do." They were glaring at each other now, and he was conscious of a desire to force her to drop her gaze from his.
"And this is the message you wish me to convey to my father upon his return?"
She was daring him, pushing him to say it, and he would. "It is."
For an instant she looked stunned. Then her eyes became cold. "Lord Haverly, as my father is the most principled and fair of men, he will want to know of these crimes against your property. I will tell him the facts as you have conveyed them to me. I will not, however, mention your accusations against the Shaws. Those you must make when you meet him."
She did not openly dare him, but the proud lift of her chin and the steadiness of her gaze told him he was being dared all the same. "I will," he said.
"Then, Lord Haverly, know this," she said. "I will never forgive you for your insults to my family. Good day." She gave him a curt nod and was gone before he had time to think himself a very great fool.
Saturday evening
Dear Tom,
You must know that everyone here has you in mind and wishes for your safety and prosperity. If it is foolish to wish for both, then you must allow us to be foolish on your behalf, for though you must encounter danger if you are to prosper, I hope it is very little danger compared with the greatness of the prizes you take.
Without word from you I cannot be sure which of my letters has reached you and must begin at the beginning of my news. We are troubled with a new neighbor, the Earl of Haverly. His purchase of Courtland Manor and lands has ended Father's trusteeship of that property and our pleasure in the Ashe. I am sure it need not be so except that the earl is a cold, arrogant, possessive man. His pride is unbearable, and I cannot begin to tell you the half of his insults to the Shaws. You would feel obliged to call him out and that would not do. You must concern yourself with the Turks, and I must fight this battle on my own. I am not without resources against such an enemy, and when you are home again, Tom, I will tell you of a small victory against the earl.
Of course, everyone toad-eats him but the Shaws, and he has taken us in dislike and accuses us of attacks on his stream and property. He made such accusations to me as you will hardly credit, suggesting that our brothers have been responsible for damming his stream and setting fire to timber on his property.
Father and Mother cannot see his arrogance. They see only the London air and fine coats. Indeed, Father takes the man altogether too seriously. If the earl summons, Father goes, like the veriest lackey in the man's hire. It is as if in purchasing Courtland, his lordship had purchased us all. Today, Father returned from hours of work in Hilcombe and rode immediately to hear the earl's latest complaint. And what is worse, Uncle Charles has invited the man to a Shaw dinner tomorrow night. Well, after what he has said to me today, I can hardly be civil to him no matter whose drawing room he enters, but I suppose it is rather unlikely that his lordship will deign to sit down to one of Aunt Margaret's dinners. It is too bad, really, for her custard might melt his arrogant heart.
No doubt you will hear more favorable
She seemed now to imply that he was absurd, and her tone roused him from the lethargy that her nearness had created. His anger was back, and he felt powerless to contain it. For the first time in his life he had something that was wholly his, not Haverly's, not something carelessly abandoned by his parents, but his, and he would not endure any trespass against it. "Should I not accuse the only poachers I have caught in the act? Should I not suspect that those who would poach boldly by daylight would do worse under the concealment of night? Should I not suspect boys led by an unprincipled young woman, boys whose father knew my plans for Courtland better than any?"
"You accuse me of lack of principle? My father of indifference to his children's honor?"
"I do." They were glaring at each other now, and he was conscious of a desire to force her to drop her gaze from his.
"And this is the message you wish me to convey to my father upon his return?"
She was daring him, pushing him to say it, and he would. "It is."
For an instant she looked stunned. Then her eyes became cold. "Lord Haverly, as my father is the most principled and fair of men, he will want to know of these crimes against your property. I will tell him the facts as you have conveyed them to me. I will not, however, mention your accusations against the Shaws. Those you must make when you meet him."
She did not openly dare him, but the proud lift of her chin and the steadiness of her gaze told him he was being dared all the same. "I will," he said.
"Then, Lord Haverly, know this," she said. "I will never forgive you for your insults to my family. Good day." She gave him a curt nod and was gone before he had time to think himself a very great fool.
Saturday evening
Dear Tom,
You must know that everyone here has you in mind and wishes for your safety and prosperity. If it is foolish to wish for both, then you must allow us to be foolish on your behalf, for though you must encounter danger if you are to prosper, I hope it is very little danger compared with the greatness of the prizes you take.
Without word from you I cannot be sure which of my letters has reached you and must begin at the beginning of my news. We are troubled with a new neighbor, the Earl of Haverly. His purchase of Courtland Manor and lands has ended Father's trusteeship of that property and our pleasure in the Ashe. I am sure it need not be so except that the earl is a cold, arrogant, possessive man. His pride is unbearable, and I cannot begin to tell you the half of his insults to the Shaws. You would feel obliged to call him out and that would not do. You must concern yourself with the Turks, and I must fight this battle on my own. I am not without resources against such an enemy, and when you are home again, Tom, I will tell you of a small victory against the earl.
Of course, everyone toad-eats him but the Shaws, and he has taken us in dislike and accuses us of attacks on his stream and property. He made such accusations to me as you will hardly credit, suggesting that our brothers have been responsible for damming his stream and setting fire to timber on his property.
Father and Mother cannot see his arrogance. They see only the London air and fine coats. Indeed, Father takes the man altogether too seriously. If the earl summons, Father goes, like the veriest lackey in the man's hire. It is as if in purchasing Courtland, his lordship had purchased us all. Today, Father returned from hours of work in Hilcombe and rode immediately to hear the earl's latest complaint. And what is worse, Uncle Charles has invited the man to a Shaw dinner tomorrow night. Well, after what he has said to me today, I can hardly be civil to him no matter whose drawing room he enters, but I suppose it is rather unlikely that his lordship will deign to sit down to one of Aunt Margaret's dinners. It is too bad, really, for her custard might melt his arrogant heart.
No doubt you will hear more favorable
Similar Books
