Read Online Twice the Temptation by Beverley Kendall - Free Book Online Page A

school,” Catherine protested, and not for the first time.
    “It was your idea,” her sister countered.
    Goodness, she didn’t even like to take credit for coming up with the idea of building a school which would be open to girls like Jillian, since it had largely been driven by guilt. Guilt at all she had: the generous pin money, the large estates she called home in both in the country and the city, a wardrobe full of expensive gowns and frocks, and extravagant vacations to places like France and Italy. But also guilt of what she had done, the trouble she’d caused a sister dearer to her than any other person in the world.
    After Charlotte had brought Jillian into her life, Catherine had soon become as protective of her as her sister was. By the time they’d discovered the identity of their aunt, thoughts of the school had fermented in her mind into something real and attainable. It had become a cause, a project she knew she had to convince her brother to take on.
    The school would be able to board thirty students and instruct as many as one hundred, and should be ready to open come summer. Its construction drew Catherine to the site rather frequently. At least three times every month to track the progress.
    “Credit truly belongs to James and his friends. Without their funding and fund raising efforts, I may as well be wishing on a shooting star.”
    Charlotte let out a huff. “You don’t give yourself enough credit for your good deeds. Lucas says he knows you’ll make a wonderful mother. He’s seen how you are with your nieces and nephews. Which naturally means the children at the school shall adore you just as we all do.”
    In that moment, Catherine forgot how she intended to make him work to win her affections. She forgot the year they’d been apart and only felt the warm glow in her heart.
    He intended to make her his wife.
    He admired her.
    He wanted her of all the women he could have had.
    She might very well be able to sleep soundly tonight.
    She smiled. Or perhaps she would not for the same reason.
     

    H alford House didn’t scream wealth and position, it whispered it so one wasn’t overwhelmed by the sumptuous furnishings, silken cream walls and ornate moldings. Nothing ostentatious or boorish to mute the effects of superior taste and elevated class.
    The principal staircase curved like a bell arc, rising to the third floor in one dramatic sweep of polished mahogany and hand carved spindles and balustrade. In the great room—the centerpiece of it all—no less than five hundred candles lit the room to a dazzling brilliance, casting even the most unattractive guests in the most favorable light.
    After waiting in the queue to greet their hosts, Lord and Lady Halford, Catherine, Meghan, and Olivia made for the back of the room. Men, young and old, plain and pleasing, approached, numbering five in all. The women graciously handled the fervent requests to dance, sending each along their way with a place on their respective dance cards for later in the evening.
    Privacy was never expected in a gathering of this sort, but the women managed to locate an area bordering the ballroom and a hallway that led to the private rooms of the sprawling estate, that was largely unoccupied. Mrs. Griffin, Meghan’s chaperone who had accompanied the women to the ball, had already abandoned them to their amusements to seek out several acquaintances—other chaperones—gathered in a cluster next to the massive, marble fireplace.
    Conversation didn’t commence until after the orchestra struck the first note of the waltz and couples began to glide and swirl on the glistening planked floors.
    Catherine waited a beat before angling her head toward her friends and announcing, “I am being courted.” Thank goodness she didn’t have to shout to be heard.
    In unison, Olivia and Meghan’s heads swiveled to turn and stare at her. Meghan recovered after a pause and chuckled softly. “You say that as if that is something new.