Read Online The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch - Free Book Online
Authors: Donna Hatch
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someone who appreciates them as I do."
"Isn't she clever?” Catherine interjected, purposely drawing attention back to herself.
Catherine glanced at something behind Alicia, as if contemplating her next move in a game she played, but Alicia resisted the urge to see what had drawn her attention.
The raven-haired beauty lifted her chin. “I shall marry for love, of course, but my family honor is a consideration. Our interests need not be similar. In fact, I would encourage my husband to pursue his own hobbies and pleasures. And unlike some, I will not marry simply for title or great riches. I only wish to be kept comfortable."
Alicia had no doubt that Catherine's definition of comfortable living would require much more than many other people's definition of wealth.
Catherine affected a demure posture. “I would consider any gentleman of good breeding.” She smiled, falsely sweet. “What about you, Alicia? If you had a choice, what kind of husband would you choose?"
As all of Catherine's words sank in, Alicia stared, wondering if her uncle's intentions were common knowledge. Likely.
Alicia realized joining a group that included Catherine had been a grave mistake. Her pride would have been better spared if she had simply declined their invitation. Yet to move to another group now would only confirm Catherine's veiled insinuations.
Alicia moistened her lips. “I would choose a gentleman who is honest and kind. One who values the opinions and feelings of others. And who is mild-tempered."
Catherine appeared too satisfied, as again, her eyes moved upward to something behind Alicia. Alicia paused, wondering if she had said too much, but the handsome Mr. de Champs’ encouraging nod gave her courage to continue. Next to her, Hannah stared at her in rapt admiration.
"What else, Lissie?” Hannah asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Alicia drew from her heart. “I have no interest in men who gamble or drink excessively. And most of all, I desire a husband who would be capable of fidelity.” She stared out of the blackened windows, forgetting the others, forgetting her discomfort. “I wish, more than anything, to marry a man I love, and who truly loves me in return."
Surprised at herself for speaking her desires so boldly, Alicia felt her face grow hot. She twisted her hands in her lap.
Hannah offered a timid smile. “Like Maman and Papa."
Mr. de Champs gave her his full attention, admiration clear on his face. Captain Hawthorne's thoughts could not be discerned, but then he smiled. Again, his dark eyes drew her.
Marie sighed dreamily. “Ohhh, me too."
Catherine's lips curled into a mocking smile “How ... sweet.” Insult dripped from her words as if she found Alicia a romantic fool. Catherine's glance swept over all the gentlemen. “Oh, excuse us. We are chattering away and not letting you say a word. Tell me, what qualities do you desire in your ideal lady?"
A brief, uncomfortable silence followed. That was the first tactical error Alicia had ever seen Catherine make.
Someone directly behind Alicia spoke. “I'm sure our preferences are as varied as we are, Miss Sinclair."
She knew that rich, resonant voice. With dread, Alicia turned to a broad chest in a black superfine suit with a dark blue waistcoat. Her gaze moved upward to a snow-white cravat and a diamond stick pin, then further up to his beautiful, masculine face. She fell into his glittering sapphire eyes. She caught her breath. She had almost forgotten how deadly handsome Lord Amesbury was.
Deadly being the key word.
His eyes met hers and something akin to gentleness showed in his. She stilled. Gentleness? In the eyes of a killer? She turned away, clutched by dismay.
Alicia felt the walls closing in on her. She needed to escape. Now. She did not wish to hurt Elizabeth's feelings or drag Hannah away, who appeared, despite her shyness, to be enjoying herself. But Alicia could not bear to endure a dinner party in the presence of the man who
"Isn't she clever?” Catherine interjected, purposely drawing attention back to herself.
Catherine glanced at something behind Alicia, as if contemplating her next move in a game she played, but Alicia resisted the urge to see what had drawn her attention.
The raven-haired beauty lifted her chin. “I shall marry for love, of course, but my family honor is a consideration. Our interests need not be similar. In fact, I would encourage my husband to pursue his own hobbies and pleasures. And unlike some, I will not marry simply for title or great riches. I only wish to be kept comfortable."
Alicia had no doubt that Catherine's definition of comfortable living would require much more than many other people's definition of wealth.
Catherine affected a demure posture. “I would consider any gentleman of good breeding.” She smiled, falsely sweet. “What about you, Alicia? If you had a choice, what kind of husband would you choose?"
As all of Catherine's words sank in, Alicia stared, wondering if her uncle's intentions were common knowledge. Likely.
Alicia realized joining a group that included Catherine had been a grave mistake. Her pride would have been better spared if she had simply declined their invitation. Yet to move to another group now would only confirm Catherine's veiled insinuations.
Alicia moistened her lips. “I would choose a gentleman who is honest and kind. One who values the opinions and feelings of others. And who is mild-tempered."
Catherine appeared too satisfied, as again, her eyes moved upward to something behind Alicia. Alicia paused, wondering if she had said too much, but the handsome Mr. de Champs’ encouraging nod gave her courage to continue. Next to her, Hannah stared at her in rapt admiration.
"What else, Lissie?” Hannah asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Alicia drew from her heart. “I have no interest in men who gamble or drink excessively. And most of all, I desire a husband who would be capable of fidelity.” She stared out of the blackened windows, forgetting the others, forgetting her discomfort. “I wish, more than anything, to marry a man I love, and who truly loves me in return."
Surprised at herself for speaking her desires so boldly, Alicia felt her face grow hot. She twisted her hands in her lap.
Hannah offered a timid smile. “Like Maman and Papa."
Mr. de Champs gave her his full attention, admiration clear on his face. Captain Hawthorne's thoughts could not be discerned, but then he smiled. Again, his dark eyes drew her.
Marie sighed dreamily. “Ohhh, me too."
Catherine's lips curled into a mocking smile “How ... sweet.” Insult dripped from her words as if she found Alicia a romantic fool. Catherine's glance swept over all the gentlemen. “Oh, excuse us. We are chattering away and not letting you say a word. Tell me, what qualities do you desire in your ideal lady?"
A brief, uncomfortable silence followed. That was the first tactical error Alicia had ever seen Catherine make.
Someone directly behind Alicia spoke. “I'm sure our preferences are as varied as we are, Miss Sinclair."
She knew that rich, resonant voice. With dread, Alicia turned to a broad chest in a black superfine suit with a dark blue waistcoat. Her gaze moved upward to a snow-white cravat and a diamond stick pin, then further up to his beautiful, masculine face. She fell into his glittering sapphire eyes. She caught her breath. She had almost forgotten how deadly handsome Lord Amesbury was.
Deadly being the key word.
His eyes met hers and something akin to gentleness showed in his. She stilled. Gentleness? In the eyes of a killer? She turned away, clutched by dismay.
Alicia felt the walls closing in on her. She needed to escape. Now. She did not wish to hurt Elizabeth's feelings or drag Hannah away, who appeared, despite her shyness, to be enjoying herself. But Alicia could not bear to endure a dinner party in the presence of the man who
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