Read Online Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Constance O'Banyon
Tags: Fiction, adventure, Romance, Historical, Adult, Action, British, captive, ocean, 18th Century, kidnapped, Pirate, sailing, escape, sea voyage, captain, ransom, Nautical, freedom, american revolution, bound, Spirited, VELVET CHAINS, American Patriot, Redcoats, Will To Resist, Abductor's Eyes, Possessing, Rebelled, Linked Fate
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little jest earlier, Edmund," General Clinton said and laughed jovially.
Edmund's laughter joined his. "You did have me squirming on tenterhooks for a while, sir," he admitted.
Season paid little attention to the conversation Edmund held with the general; she was intent on watching Lucas Carrington take his partner out the side door to what she supposed would be the garden. Perhaps he is married and that woman is his wife, she thought, wondering why that speculation made her heart feel so heavy. She was having a strange reaction to a man she had met only a few moments ago.
"I wonder if you would do me the honor of being my partner for the next dance?" General Clinton asked, breaking into Season's thoughts. "As your future husband's commanding officer, I feel it is my right."
Season nodded her agreement and offered him her hand. She found that she and the general danced the minuet well together. It was the first time she had danced with anyone other than her dance instructor, and she was pleased to find that she had been taught well. At least she hadn't embarrassed herself by being clumsy.
Later Season danced with Edmund and found him a delightful partner—smoother and more agile than the general had been. She was beginning to relax and enjoy herself.
"What do you think of the Colonies?" Edmund asked when they came together at one of the turns.
"I have seen very little of it so far. Mrs. Tibbs, the lady who is my chaperon, has been ill and unable to show me around."
They drew apart; Season curtsied to her new partner and then moved back to Edmund.
"We shall have to remedy this situation," Edmund told her, smiling. "I have a week's liberty and would be glad to show you around if you would allow it."
"Thank you, I would like that," she said, beginning to warm to the man who would soon be her husband. He was indeed handsome and had a most charming manner. Season began to think he would make a very admirable marriage partner. She realized he wasn't the man her young heart had dreamed of, but he was far better than the odious Lord Ransford.
When the music stopped, Edmund took her about the room, introducing her to his friends. Few of them had ever met the daughter of a duke, so they appeared stiff and formal when, in truth, they didn't know how to address Season.
She felt most uncomfortable and was glad when Edmund led her to the morning room where the two of them could talk in private. He settled her on the sofa and then took a chair across from her.
"I am aware of how difficult it has been for you to come to this country and to be thrown in with so many strangers, my lady."
Season was immediately warmed by his kindness. "Please call me Season," she urged.
He chuckled. "I think that would be most wise under the circumstances—will you call me Edmund?"
"Yes, of course, Edmund."
His eyes drifted across her face, and he couldn't help but draw in his breath at how lovely she was. "As I told you earlier, I have a week's liberty. Would you consider it bad form if I were to ask you to marry me this soon?"
Season opened her fan nervously and closed it with a snap. "I... hardly know you. Could we not wait until we are better acquainted?"
Edmund smiled. "Of course. Perhaps it would be wise. I will want to find a suitable house for you. I know everything here is new to you, including myself. We will wait until you feel more at home." His eyes fastened on hers. "I hope you will not delay too long."
Season saw something in his eyes that she couldn't define. It was a deep searching look, and suddenly she knew he had heard the rumors that had been circulated about London by Lord Ransford.
"Edmund ... I am aware that there is talk about me, but let me assure you—"
"Do not speak of it, my lady," he said hurriedly. "We shall close the chapter of your past and make a new beginning. Before I met you tonight, I wasn't too happy about the prospect of making you my wife." He took her hand. "Now that we have met, I will feel
Edmund's laughter joined his. "You did have me squirming on tenterhooks for a while, sir," he admitted.
Season paid little attention to the conversation Edmund held with the general; she was intent on watching Lucas Carrington take his partner out the side door to what she supposed would be the garden. Perhaps he is married and that woman is his wife, she thought, wondering why that speculation made her heart feel so heavy. She was having a strange reaction to a man she had met only a few moments ago.
"I wonder if you would do me the honor of being my partner for the next dance?" General Clinton asked, breaking into Season's thoughts. "As your future husband's commanding officer, I feel it is my right."
Season nodded her agreement and offered him her hand. She found that she and the general danced the minuet well together. It was the first time she had danced with anyone other than her dance instructor, and she was pleased to find that she had been taught well. At least she hadn't embarrassed herself by being clumsy.
Later Season danced with Edmund and found him a delightful partner—smoother and more agile than the general had been. She was beginning to relax and enjoy herself.
"What do you think of the Colonies?" Edmund asked when they came together at one of the turns.
"I have seen very little of it so far. Mrs. Tibbs, the lady who is my chaperon, has been ill and unable to show me around."
They drew apart; Season curtsied to her new partner and then moved back to Edmund.
"We shall have to remedy this situation," Edmund told her, smiling. "I have a week's liberty and would be glad to show you around if you would allow it."
"Thank you, I would like that," she said, beginning to warm to the man who would soon be her husband. He was indeed handsome and had a most charming manner. Season began to think he would make a very admirable marriage partner. She realized he wasn't the man her young heart had dreamed of, but he was far better than the odious Lord Ransford.
When the music stopped, Edmund took her about the room, introducing her to his friends. Few of them had ever met the daughter of a duke, so they appeared stiff and formal when, in truth, they didn't know how to address Season.
She felt most uncomfortable and was glad when Edmund led her to the morning room where the two of them could talk in private. He settled her on the sofa and then took a chair across from her.
"I am aware of how difficult it has been for you to come to this country and to be thrown in with so many strangers, my lady."
Season was immediately warmed by his kindness. "Please call me Season," she urged.
He chuckled. "I think that would be most wise under the circumstances—will you call me Edmund?"
"Yes, of course, Edmund."
His eyes drifted across her face, and he couldn't help but draw in his breath at how lovely she was. "As I told you earlier, I have a week's liberty. Would you consider it bad form if I were to ask you to marry me this soon?"
Season opened her fan nervously and closed it with a snap. "I... hardly know you. Could we not wait until we are better acquainted?"
Edmund smiled. "Of course. Perhaps it would be wise. I will want to find a suitable house for you. I know everything here is new to you, including myself. We will wait until you feel more at home." His eyes fastened on hers. "I hope you will not delay too long."
Season saw something in his eyes that she couldn't define. It was a deep searching look, and suddenly she knew he had heard the rumors that had been circulated about London by Lord Ransford.
"Edmund ... I am aware that there is talk about me, but let me assure you—"
"Do not speak of it, my lady," he said hurriedly. "We shall close the chapter of your past and make a new beginning. Before I met you tonight, I wasn't too happy about the prospect of making you my wife." He took her hand. "Now that we have met, I will feel
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