Read Online Twixt Two Equal Armies by Gail McEwen, Tina Moncton - Free Book Online

worthy of your regrets and that nothing less than insanity shall ever persuade you it is right to throw yourself at a man’s fickle mercy.”
    “Agreed,” Holly continued the joke. “But I think we can make some exceptions — we will allow ourselves to enjoy the company of pleasant old men, and scholars such as Sir John Ledwich, and good-natured married men such as Mr Pembroke — the elder Mr Pembroke I mean — our landlord. But any man younger than the age of forty will be strictly forbidden to come into our vicinity.”
    “Agreed!” Elizabeth laughed. “There! Is that not a relief? The root of all our problems solved at once! I must say I look forward to how free and easy our lives will be from now on. There is only one thing we have to fear now.”
    “And what is that, my free and easy cousin?”
    “Why, love!” said Elizabeth and her merry eyes twinkled.
    “I expect we are quite safe from that, way out here. Unless you have designs on Mr Grant, as he is the best and only prospect in our little village.” Holly’s smile turned sly. “And if you do, I will say right now that I happily relinquish any prior claims on his affections.”
    “You are so eager to entice me into breaking a most solemn vow already! You temptress, you! No, unless love comes and claims my sanity and my will, I am right here beside you at the carefully drawn battle lines, cousin. Depend upon it! And if it does come,” Elizabeth shrugged. “I’m sure the spectacle of it will quite make up for the disappointment of such weak restraint.”
    “Well, even if you are determined to give yourself a way out, Elizabeth, do not think that I will release you from your vow so easily. We are sworn sisters in this endeavour and any man who has the temerity to make you fall in love with him will have to prove his worth to more than just your father.”
    THE SUN WAS SETTING BEHIND a thin veil of clouds, coloured in shades of purple and rose, when his lordship directed his horse through the back gate after several days’ absence. Mr McLaughlin followed his Master and they reached the stables in mutually agreeable silence. As was his habit, Lord Baugham stripped down to his shirtsleeves, unsaddled and groomed his horse before considering his day’s work to be complete, then left his companion to unload the guns and re-deposit the effects.
    The night was already upon him, and to his great delight his lordship could see the stars above his head as he crossed the yard. He opened his front door with a contented sigh, ready to call for a bath and a fire.
    Riemann met him in his chamber and — as expected — was quietly busy preparing for his lordship’s pleasure upon his return. The fire crackled wildly, battling the last remnants of chilly air in the room and everything Baugham had looked forward to was being laid out, prepared and arranged. His lordship sighed contentedly and stretched his limbs. He was sore and tired, his arms ached, his feet hurt and the mix of dried sweat and cold limbs made him feel exhausted and slightly detached from reality.
    He undressed slowly, stretching his aching muscles as he pulled his shirt over his head and threw it with the rest of his clothes on the floor. He arched his back and smiled as he heard Riemann come back into the room.
    He was just about to undo his breeches when his valet’s voice behind him made him freeze.
    “My lord,” Riemann quietly said, “were you aware that Mr Darcy is sitting in your library?”
    Baugham turned around and saw his man standing behind him, not with his dressing gown and slippers, but with a fresh change of clothes.
    “No,” Lord Baugham said and, snatching the clean shirt from his valet, stalked out the door.
    Riemann watched as he walked out, heard the door slam and sighed before going down to the kitchen to postpone the bath and dinner.
    Darcy was sitting by the hearth, deeply immersed in a book. Baugham felt no doubt he was genuinely unperturbed by the commotion caused