Read Online The True Love Wedding Dress by Catherine Anderson - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Catherine Anderson
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that now, not for a brief dalliance, no matter how expert Forde’s kisses. He was Gerald Wellforde’s uncle, for heaven’s sake!
She drew her arm back and slapped him. “I said no.”
Forde rubbed his cheek. “You could have said it a bit more forcefully, and sooner.”
“I should have. I beg your pardon. It was the wine and the lateness of the hour. I was surprised. I thought—” Katie stopped making excuses for herself. He was the one who had stepped beyond the line of what was permitted. She opened the front door. “That is, I do not believe we have anything more to say to each other, my lord. Now or tomorrow. Good night.”
Forde could not decide if he was more confused that the widow had kissed him or that she had slapped him. Either way, he now had more questions than before.
“Oh, I think we do, madam. Have more to say, that is.” He raised her hand to his lips. Why not? The night had already been full of ham-handedness, blue hands, and a very efficient openhanded slap. He could not go back and face his sister-in-law empty-handed, either. He had to stay at least until Gerald returned, to discuss his concerns with his nephew. There, that was a good enough excuse to prolong his stay in Brookville, although he’d been soundly dismissed from Cole Cottage.
He’d also been soundly smacked and still wore the red outline of Mrs. Cole’s palm on his cheek. No matter, Forde went back to the inn whistling.
Katie did not have to wake up early the next morning to be at her chores; she’d hardly slept. The plaguey peer had destroyed her rest, strolling confidently through her troubled mind. She had no doubt he’d be walking across her doorstep, just as sure of himself, before this day was over. She could not let him tempt her again, or destroy her daughter’s chance for a secure future. So she could not be home again.
Katie knew she could not put his lordship off forever, but Gerald had to arrive soon. Surely Lord Forde would see how well suited the young people were, and how much they deserved their chance at happiness. Just as surely, he would not act the libertine in front of his own nephew.
“Come, Susannah, here is your chocolate, so wake up.”
“It is barely light out,” her daughter said, rolling over and pulling the covers over her eyes.
“But we have much to do. We have to find the right ribbons for your wedding gown, and the silk flowers to match. Then we really have to bring it to Mrs. Peebles for a fitting so she might finish it in time.”
“Can you not simply take one of my old gowns and measure from that? I told Lady Martindale I would read to her this morning. I want to know how that novel ends. The handsome knight is just about to rescue the damsel from the tower where her wicked uncle locked her.”
“He saves her and they live happily ever after. They always do.” In novels, Katie thought. Real life was unfortunately not as predictable, or as assured of a happy ending. It was up to her, as a mother, to take what precautions she could for her daughter. Wicked uncles, indeed.
“You have to try on the gown so Mrs. Peebles can pin the trimmings where you wish them. You can stop in at Lady Martindale’s afterward, while I try to teach the vintner’s two daughters their scales, for a discount on the champagne. We will still be in time for tea at the vicarage, so you can listen to Louisa enthuse about Roland’s latest sartorial efforts. And remember that tonight is choir practice.”
There. That ought to keep them out of harm’s way until bedtime.
First they had to stop at Squire Doddsworth’s to pick up the gig and to thank him for the leg of mutton that had been delivered earlier.
Viscount Forde was breaking his fast with Mr. Doddsworth and his sons, before going shooting with them. Drat!
Luckily Squire was more eager to be on his way than he was in pursuing his courtship. “What, no breakfast? You are off to purchase fripperies? Good, good, Mrs. Cole. You go on to
She drew her arm back and slapped him. “I said no.”
Forde rubbed his cheek. “You could have said it a bit more forcefully, and sooner.”
“I should have. I beg your pardon. It was the wine and the lateness of the hour. I was surprised. I thought—” Katie stopped making excuses for herself. He was the one who had stepped beyond the line of what was permitted. She opened the front door. “That is, I do not believe we have anything more to say to each other, my lord. Now or tomorrow. Good night.”
Forde could not decide if he was more confused that the widow had kissed him or that she had slapped him. Either way, he now had more questions than before.
“Oh, I think we do, madam. Have more to say, that is.” He raised her hand to his lips. Why not? The night had already been full of ham-handedness, blue hands, and a very efficient openhanded slap. He could not go back and face his sister-in-law empty-handed, either. He had to stay at least until Gerald returned, to discuss his concerns with his nephew. There, that was a good enough excuse to prolong his stay in Brookville, although he’d been soundly dismissed from Cole Cottage.
He’d also been soundly smacked and still wore the red outline of Mrs. Cole’s palm on his cheek. No matter, Forde went back to the inn whistling.
Katie did not have to wake up early the next morning to be at her chores; she’d hardly slept. The plaguey peer had destroyed her rest, strolling confidently through her troubled mind. She had no doubt he’d be walking across her doorstep, just as sure of himself, before this day was over. She could not let him tempt her again, or destroy her daughter’s chance for a secure future. So she could not be home again.
Katie knew she could not put his lordship off forever, but Gerald had to arrive soon. Surely Lord Forde would see how well suited the young people were, and how much they deserved their chance at happiness. Just as surely, he would not act the libertine in front of his own nephew.
“Come, Susannah, here is your chocolate, so wake up.”
“It is barely light out,” her daughter said, rolling over and pulling the covers over her eyes.
“But we have much to do. We have to find the right ribbons for your wedding gown, and the silk flowers to match. Then we really have to bring it to Mrs. Peebles for a fitting so she might finish it in time.”
“Can you not simply take one of my old gowns and measure from that? I told Lady Martindale I would read to her this morning. I want to know how that novel ends. The handsome knight is just about to rescue the damsel from the tower where her wicked uncle locked her.”
“He saves her and they live happily ever after. They always do.” In novels, Katie thought. Real life was unfortunately not as predictable, or as assured of a happy ending. It was up to her, as a mother, to take what precautions she could for her daughter. Wicked uncles, indeed.
“You have to try on the gown so Mrs. Peebles can pin the trimmings where you wish them. You can stop in at Lady Martindale’s afterward, while I try to teach the vintner’s two daughters their scales, for a discount on the champagne. We will still be in time for tea at the vicarage, so you can listen to Louisa enthuse about Roland’s latest sartorial efforts. And remember that tonight is choir practice.”
There. That ought to keep them out of harm’s way until bedtime.
First they had to stop at Squire Doddsworth’s to pick up the gig and to thank him for the leg of mutton that had been delivered earlier.
Viscount Forde was breaking his fast with Mr. Doddsworth and his sons, before going shooting with them. Drat!
Luckily Squire was more eager to be on his way than he was in pursuing his courtship. “What, no breakfast? You are off to purchase fripperies? Good, good, Mrs. Cole. You go on to
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