Read Online The Muse by Raine Miller - Free Book Online Page B

sudden, but he lingered long enough to discharge the duty on to me, to take up the responsibility for everything, and for my mother and Colin, of course.  Dr. Brancroft also attended my father.  He made him as comfortable as possible in those dark times, and he was very kind to my mother who suffered terribly in her grief.  John Brancroft is an honorable man.  I do not know your sister of course, as these events happened some years ago, before he had met her, but if she is anything like you, I suspect he is blessed to have found her.”  A smile was attempted, but sadness reined in his eyes.
    Imogene looked into them compassionately.  “What a tragic waste.  I am so sorry.”
    “I agree.  One gigantic waste, and—”  He stopped and shook his head.
    “What?  Please tell me.”  Imogene waited.  “Surely you realize that his actions do not stain you.”
    “But they do.”  He looked grim.  “Jasper ruined everything.  I hold anger and resentment against my brother.  I do not forgive him for what he has done to my parents, to me, or to Colin.  My brother was a selfish bastard—” Graham gave her an apologetic look.  “He took and took and did nothing but take some more.  I feel wrath for him, but that is my weight to bear.”
    “Did you resent the duty thrust upon you?”
    “I suppose, but I was really just desperate at first to find my way and to be worthy.  I had not been raised for it you see, and was ill prepared when it happened, believing I would live the life of a painter.  But it was not to be and the years have resolved it now.  I will carry on the responsibility to my family and continue to do it to the best of my ability, for as long as I am able.”  His green eyes had a cold look to them now.
    “But I believe you are an honorable man.  His actions don’t mark you.  You shouldn’t fear the telling of your situation would alter my opinion of you.  It is the same as before.”
    “Truly?”
    She nodded.  “Truly.”
    “Miss Imogene, I’ve been plagued with a bad conscience and I—I thank you for hearing all of this…repulsiveness.  I am so sorry to have it touch you, I really am, but I could see no other way around it.”
    Imogene drew up, making him stop in their walking.  “Well, I can only offer my support and the willingness to hear anything you wish to tell me.  I assure you, nothing you have said today revises that status.  I am your friend.”
     

     
    GRAHAM let go of her arm and took both her hands in his.  He turned them palm up and stared at them.  He caressed them for a moment before lifting his eyes to her beautiful brown ones, and relished her words.  She would accept him, bad blood, and family skeletons and all.  He knew in this moment that nothing would get in his way of having her.  Not his shameful secret, and not the legacy his brother had left for him.
    “Thank you,” he whispered.  “I hope it’s more than a friend though.  Tell me it is more than friendship.”  Imogene’s breathing picked up.  He saw the colour on her neck and her breasts moving underneath her clothes.  “Tell me it is,” he repeated the command.
    She was so lovely.  The flush of her skin in the clean cold air, strands of golden hair lifting in the breeze, her burgundy riding dress, the horses tethered and grazing nearby, ancient ruins crumbling behind, all coalesced into one gorgeous scene; a scene worthy of capturing.  He tried to get it crammed into his head, willing the details to stick so he could remember how beautiful she looked when she told him she did not care about the ugliness of his past or the bad blood of his family.  “It is more,” she whispered and he wanted to kiss her lips right then and there but knew he couldn’t.  He drew her palm up to his mouth and kissed that instead, wanting her to know she was already precious to him.
    Observing propriety is a hellish existence when I want you so badly.
    They continued on with their walk.  As