Read Online To Wed an Heiress by Rosanne E. Lortz - Free Book Online
Authors: Rosanne E. Lortz
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gray, but—”
“You left Jenny out in the cold?” The question should have been directed at Torin, but Eda’s eyes were focused accusingly on the face of the tall, blond earl.
Haro’s eyes did not waver. “I left her right where she threw her rider in the mud, and I’ll be damned if I go back and fetch her now.”
The gulf between them had widened until it was now uncrossable.
“I see your Arabella is not the only one to lose her temper. Very well, I’ll fetch Jenny myself.” And without a further word, Eda opened the door and stepped outside into the wintry landscape surrounding Woldwick.
“Eda! Eda!” It was Torin running after her. “I’ll get her! Go back inside.”
“No.” Eda’s arms were already so cold she wondered if they would fall off from frostbite.
An older man would have known how to take charge of the situation, and head off a lady from such a foolish endeavor, but Torin was only sixteen and used to giving in to Eda’s whims. “Well, then, at least you’ll take my coat.”
“No, thank you. I’m quite well without it.” That settled the matter, and a worried Torin retreated into the house.
The air was so cold that it hurt to breathe, but what did it matter? Jenny would be put in her stable and Haro would be sorry for what he said—those were the only two things that were worth thinking about.
***
Haro ascended the stairs in a towering rage, prepared to be angry with Eda indefinitely. But it did not take more than a couple glances from the upstairs window—at a black-haired girl braving the winter wind in a thin dress—to make him question his harshness. And when his mother, who had heard the story from Torin as well as from her shocked lady’s maid, took him to task a few hours later, it was not long until he felt completely miserable over the whole affair.
He needed to say something to Eda. He needed to make things right.
Unfortunately, when Eda returned with a blue nose and the smell of the stables on her, she had good reason to retire for the rest of the afternoon. Haro saw several ewers of hot water being transported to her room for a hot bath.
Arabella, the other object of his concern, stayed closeted in her apartments as well. And so Haro found that all his sympathy and regrets must be expended on Mr. Hastings.
“What on earth do you mean, Anglesford, giving my daughter a mount like that to ride?”
Haro flushed red and mumbled an apology.
“I hope I’ll see you taking better care of her safety in the future. You wouldn’t want me to revoke my decision of allowing you her hand….”
“Oh, wouldn’t he?” said Torin under his breath. Arabella’s reaction to the accident had only served to deepen his dislike of her.
Haro continued to placate Mr. Hastings by uttering all the right sentiments. The only good thing seemed to be that Mr. Hastings had—as yet—no idea of Eda’s involvement in the debacle. Haro could stand being taken to task himself, but he reflected that he might bear things very poorly should the mill owner set into Eda this way.
Not that she didn’t deserve it. But, well, it was natural for the girl to be jealous since he had thrown her over rather suddenly. Her actions were childish, but they were understandable.
As the long afternoon drew to a close, Lady Anglesford entered the drawing room, bringing a welcome intermission to Mr. Hastings’ scoldings, but also an unwelcome reminder that dinner was about to be served. The probable reappearance of the two ladies in question gave Haro something else to ponder. How could he mend matters with Eda without seeming like a co-conspirator in the plot against Arabella? He sighed.
Arabella came downstairs first. She was in full dress fit for the finest ball—not quite the expected attire for an informal family dinner at Woldwick. Her high-waisted gown was made of pale blue silk, the neck swooping down low enough to expose the upper portion of her small breasts. She wore a few jewels on a
“You left Jenny out in the cold?” The question should have been directed at Torin, but Eda’s eyes were focused accusingly on the face of the tall, blond earl.
Haro’s eyes did not waver. “I left her right where she threw her rider in the mud, and I’ll be damned if I go back and fetch her now.”
The gulf between them had widened until it was now uncrossable.
“I see your Arabella is not the only one to lose her temper. Very well, I’ll fetch Jenny myself.” And without a further word, Eda opened the door and stepped outside into the wintry landscape surrounding Woldwick.
“Eda! Eda!” It was Torin running after her. “I’ll get her! Go back inside.”
“No.” Eda’s arms were already so cold she wondered if they would fall off from frostbite.
An older man would have known how to take charge of the situation, and head off a lady from such a foolish endeavor, but Torin was only sixteen and used to giving in to Eda’s whims. “Well, then, at least you’ll take my coat.”
“No, thank you. I’m quite well without it.” That settled the matter, and a worried Torin retreated into the house.
The air was so cold that it hurt to breathe, but what did it matter? Jenny would be put in her stable and Haro would be sorry for what he said—those were the only two things that were worth thinking about.
***
Haro ascended the stairs in a towering rage, prepared to be angry with Eda indefinitely. But it did not take more than a couple glances from the upstairs window—at a black-haired girl braving the winter wind in a thin dress—to make him question his harshness. And when his mother, who had heard the story from Torin as well as from her shocked lady’s maid, took him to task a few hours later, it was not long until he felt completely miserable over the whole affair.
He needed to say something to Eda. He needed to make things right.
Unfortunately, when Eda returned with a blue nose and the smell of the stables on her, she had good reason to retire for the rest of the afternoon. Haro saw several ewers of hot water being transported to her room for a hot bath.
Arabella, the other object of his concern, stayed closeted in her apartments as well. And so Haro found that all his sympathy and regrets must be expended on Mr. Hastings.
“What on earth do you mean, Anglesford, giving my daughter a mount like that to ride?”
Haro flushed red and mumbled an apology.
“I hope I’ll see you taking better care of her safety in the future. You wouldn’t want me to revoke my decision of allowing you her hand….”
“Oh, wouldn’t he?” said Torin under his breath. Arabella’s reaction to the accident had only served to deepen his dislike of her.
Haro continued to placate Mr. Hastings by uttering all the right sentiments. The only good thing seemed to be that Mr. Hastings had—as yet—no idea of Eda’s involvement in the debacle. Haro could stand being taken to task himself, but he reflected that he might bear things very poorly should the mill owner set into Eda this way.
Not that she didn’t deserve it. But, well, it was natural for the girl to be jealous since he had thrown her over rather suddenly. Her actions were childish, but they were understandable.
As the long afternoon drew to a close, Lady Anglesford entered the drawing room, bringing a welcome intermission to Mr. Hastings’ scoldings, but also an unwelcome reminder that dinner was about to be served. The probable reappearance of the two ladies in question gave Haro something else to ponder. How could he mend matters with Eda without seeming like a co-conspirator in the plot against Arabella? He sighed.
Arabella came downstairs first. She was in full dress fit for the finest ball—not quite the expected attire for an informal family dinner at Woldwick. Her high-waisted gown was made of pale blue silk, the neck swooping down low enough to expose the upper portion of her small breasts. She wore a few jewels on a
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