Read Online The Bewitching Hour by Diana Douglas - Free Book Online Page A

since you’re completely done in by Miss Hawthorn, you might as well make a match with someone who can make pretty brats,” Rand said. “The lady will get away from you if you’re not careful.”
      “Have you forgotten that she thinks me forward and ill-mannered?”
      “Compromise her. She won’t have a choice then.”
      A surge of anger shot through Stratton. His hands clenched. “Don’t be a bloody idiot. You said yourself she isn’t the type to dally with.”
      “I didn’t say you had to copulate with her. You know as well as I do, that it doesn’t take much more than a kiss to force a marriage.”
      “Bugger off, Rand.”
      “You always could turn a phrase.” Rand drummed his fingers on the desk as he thought. Then his face brightened. “I’ve got an idea. A brilliant idea.”
      “God save me." Stratton's eyes rolled toward the ceiling. "How many times did your brilliant ideas almost get us expelled?”
      “We’re not in school any longer. Being expelled is no longer a concern.”
       Stratton heaved a very loud sigh. “I’m almost afraid to ask. What mischief have you plotted?”
      Rand's lips slowly stretched into a smile. “We’re going to write a letter.”

    “Priscilla.”
      Surprised by the interruption, Priscilla looked up from the needlepoint she was doing. Olivia rarely disturbed her when she was in her parlor and for a moment Priscilla thought something must be wrong. But her companion’s face was beaming with pleasure. She smiled back at her. "You seemed pleased. What is it?"
      “Someone has sent you orchids,” Olivia said.
      "Drat." Priscilla stopped, hoping she was wrong.
      Olivia looked at her strangely. “What, dear?”
      “Nothing important. I was thinking out loud.” Priscilla set her needlework to the side. “Did Lord Mallory send them?”
      She shook her head. “Oh, they aren't from Lord Mallory, dear. You know he’s much too stingy to send something this exquisite. And he always signs his cards. This card wasn’t signed.”
       Blast . Priscilla stood up, straightened her skirts and tried to keep a pleasant look on her face. “Are you certain they're for me? Lord Hamilton has been quite attentive to you of late and he's a very generous man.”
      “Yes, of course, I'm certain. Your name is on the card.” Olivia continued to chatter as Priscilla followed her along the corridor and down the stairs. “I believe someone new has set his cap for you. I only wish we knew who it was. How terribly exciting.”
      The orchids sat on a rosewood table by the front door. Delicate and exotic, with long waxy stems and thick petals streaked with brilliant purple hues, she had to admit Olivia had been right. They were exquisite. She lifted the card and read, For the lovely Miss Hawthorn. There was no signature.
      The blood rushed to her head. She had no doubt who had sent them.
      Beldon cleared his throat. “Where would you like me to put the flowers, Miss Priscilla?”
      Priscilla pressed her lips together and forced a smile. “Just leave them. They’re fine where they are.”
      “But dear," Olivia said, "we don’t spend any time in the entrance hall and they're so lovely. It would be a shame to keep them where we can’t see them.” She looked at the window where a steady rain was drizzling down the glass. “And it’s such a dreary day. The orchids would help brighten things up, don’t you think?”
      Olivia was proving to be a major obstacle in her plan to ignore Lord Stratton. “Why don’t you put them in your bedchamber, Olivia? That way you can enjoy them.”
      Her companion looked horrified. “Absolutely not. They were most definitely meant for you and you must enjoy them. I insist.”
      Priscilla clenched her jaw and pressed her lips together. “Very well.