Read Online Wedgewick Woman by Patricia Strefling - Free Book Online

tables, no doubt.” He exaggerated, stunned that they had failed.
    “’Tis not important.  We are best rid of him.  Mark my words, the young Miss Wedgewick will appear when she runs out of money.” He said and turned.  “Come, eat.  Tomorrow we must begin the task of shearing the sheep.”
    * * *
    At dawn, the Laird shut himself in James’ office and searched the desk…shelves and drawers…for anything which might be meaningful.  He found the outrageous invoice that only reminded him they had a cart-load of excruciatingly expensive silk, for which payment had not yet been fully apportioned.  Never again would he let a woman have her way, such as he had Helen.
    Had it not been for his own boyish foolishness he would never have been forced to wed.  Throwing himself back in the large seat, he let his mind wander remembering the beginning of his demise.
    One early spring day, sunny and full of promise, he had been riding Knight around the poles and practicing battle strategies.  Lee decided to play Switch with two of his young friends, which was a favorite entertainment for the crowd that had gathered.  All three raced for the goal, threw their swords through the air one to another and then raced again, the first arriving declared the winner.
    That’s when it happened.  He saw a fluff of silky blue fabric from the corner of his eye but paid no mind.  His eyes were on the goal post.  Ignoring it he made his goal only to look back waiting for the shouts of victory from the crowd to find they had all converged upon a heap of blue silk.
    “What is it?” He had asked unkindly as he rode Knight back to the gathering group.
    “You have injured my daughter.”  One woman shouted at him.  “She lays nearly dead.”
    “Dead?” he said stupidly.
    Indeed, once he made his way through the crowd, saw a young woman lying on the ground with closed eyes and instantly felt sick to his stomach.  She had the most beautiful face he’d ever seen.  Thick blond hair lay wrapped in neat coils about her head.  They were examining the girl’s ankle. 
    “It’s broken badly, I’m afraid,” the physician announced. 
    A cloth-covered board was brought and she was taken away, but not before he endured the glare his father sent him.
    “Did you not notice you had run her down?  Did you not see the other two riders were not with you?  Even they had the sense to stop and inquire about the lass.”
    “I did not see her, father.”
    “Whatever damages you have caused you will pay.  This lass’ mother is a vengeful woman, I’m afraid.  You will pay to the uttermost.  And I as well…” He predicted.  “You are seventeen years of age and the Laird’s son.”
    Lee went about his business, sorry for the lass.  He knew his duty—to right whatever wrong he had created.
    Changing from his dusty clothes, he freshened up and went to her room kept watch by her English servants.
    He knocked, waited until called and entered.
    “The physician has only set her ankle.  It is nearly crushed.” The mother cried into her cloth.
    It hadn’t been that long since he’d passed the physician in the halls and wondered that he could have set the ankle so quickly, if it had been that bad, but he dared not question the lass’s mother, who sat staring at him as though he’d shot her daughter with an arrow through the heart.
    “You will pay for your misdeed,” she said tearfully…only he didn’t see any tears, only heard the whine in her voice. 
    When others came into the room he noticed the mother whispering behind her handkerchief and in fact she otherwise seemed in high spirits.  Another girl, younger, the sister of the injured one, called Meredith entered.
    Something seemed out of order, but he did not know what.  His father soon called for him and he retreated to his office to await punishment.
    “Sit down.” He ordered.  The scowl on his father’s face told him this was not going to be a pleasant visit.
    “You are