Read Online Venture Untamed (The Venture Books) by R.H. Russell - Free Book Online

you want to do, then go ahead and do it.”
    Justice flinched slightly, then straightened up, folded his arms, and pronounced with quiet, commanding resolve, “Things aren’t this way because I want them to be. If you want to blame someone for the way things are, then blame the Cresteds.” He nodded his head toward the street. There was Border, chatting away with Hunter Longlake.
    “They’re the ones who started it all,” Justice said, “and they’re the ones who keep things the way they are. Even if you disagree with me about the timing, you know you have to end this friendship eventually.”
    Venture clenched his mouth shut. It was true, and he hated it.
      “Do you want it to be when when someone makes an accusation about you, or do you want Grant Fieldstone and everyone else to see that you’re a young man, able to do the right thing, the honorable thing, on your own?”
    Venture glanced at Border again. Border, kissing up to his Crested friend. He ought to be preparing for a career in politics, not the Warforce. Accusing him of doing something improper with his master’s daughter was just the sort of thing Border would do. The sort of thing that could ruin not just Venture’s life, but Jade’s. And the perfect way to punish Grant Fieldstone for breaking with tradition. Grant, who’d risked so much for him. He felt sick at the thought.
    He turned back to Justice. “What do you want me to do?”
    “Call her Miss Fieldstone. Treat her the same way every other manservant in the house treats her. The way you treat her grandmother.”
    Venture didn’t move, didn’t pick up his bag as Justice proceeded down the path. When Justice glanced over his shoulder to see if he was coming, he crossed his arms and stood firm.
    “When will you be home tonight?”
    “Master wants my help going over his accounts. It could be late.” Hopefully. Hours poring over columns of mind-numbing numbers with Grant would be preferable to stretching out by the fire with Justice.
    “I expect you to come home as soon as you’re dismissed,” Justice said pointedly.
    Venture gritted his teeth. It’s pretty clear what you expect, what you think of me, Justice . He’d had enough of Justice’s expectations. Enough of everyone’s expectations.

    Venture jumped up to the driver’s seat of the carriage beside Able, without a word. Able’s smile of greeting faded.
    “That bad, was it?”
    Venture shook his head. “Justice.”
    “That all?”
    Venture just let out a long sigh. “He’s not the only one who doesn’t want me in there.”
    Able got the horses going and drove off the center grounds, out of town, and Venture thought he’d gotten away with ending the conversation without ever really starting it, until they were headed out of the valley, up the hill.
    Able shifted somewhat uncomfortably, and Venture knew something was coming.
    “It’s never easy going against the grain, Vent,” he said, keeping his eyes on the road. “But you’ve got a God-given knack for it.”
    Venture cracked a smile. “And they say God is all-wise.”
    “Wiser than you and me, that’s for sure.”
    Venture knew better than to argue about that, however uncertain he felt at the moment about the truths he’d been taught. Besides, one thought continued to push itself in front of all the others in his head— What am I going to say to Jade? How can breaking her heart be the right thing? How can it be honorable?
    Venture and Able arrived just in time to wash up for dinner. The other servants trickled in, and soon the table was crowded with food and covered over with a tangled web of laughter and conversation.
    Nine-year-old Bounty, who lived in the Big House’s servants’ quarters with his father, a free servant, cocked his white-blond head at Venture. “You haven’t said anything about your training, Vent. You get kicked out already?”  
    “Bountiful Baker!” old Herald said. “Where are your manners?” But everyone knew there would be