Read Online When Angels Fall by Meagan McKinney - Free Book Online

take you home!” Wilmott took her arm and led her into the foyer. There he barked out orders to his butler to summon the Billingsworth carriage.
    “You shouldn’t trouble yourself, sir, I can find my way back to Violet Croft.” Nervously she put on her gloves. If Wilmott had tried to maul her in the parlor, what would he attempt in the confines of his carriage cab?
    “Far from being a trouble, it is a pleasure!” Wilmott bade her wait on a small silk-covered bench beneath the grand staircase. She fiddled with her gloves, a small frown marring her perfect brow. She had to think quickly of an excuse to walk home.
    “While we’re waiting, my dear”—Wilmott’s voice intruded upon her thoughts—“I’d like to speak with you about something.”
    Startled, she looked up. Was he going to propose so soon? Good God, she would be debauched before the carriage could even get to her cottage door!
    “Certainly, sir. What is it?” she whispered despairingly.
    “The castle. There’s to be a small soirée there week after next. Of course, Honoria and Adele will be along,” he added fretfully as if this were actually not a point to be rejoiced upon, “and I would very much like you to accompany us. I’d like to show you off to old Powerscourt.”
    Powerscourt.
She rubbed her temple with her gloved hand. Would that name not go away? Somehow she could already picture the amusement on Ivan’s face when she arrived at the castle on Wilmott’s arm.
    “Oh, dear, I don’t think—”
    “Father!” A hushed voice from the staircase interrupted her. Looking up, Lissa saw Honoria glide down the staircase like a wraith, her long, skinny frame and tight, graying bun only accentuating her ghostly appearance. An embarrassed flush colored her face, and she seemed hesitant to speak in front of their guest, but the matter must have been of some import for she began anyway. “Father, before you go, the cook is out of mutton and we must go to market and buy some.”
    “Mutton be damned! Can’t you see I’m busy!” Wilmott snapped.
    “Yes, I quite see,” Honoria said meaningfully, making Lissa color. “But, nonetheless, we must have some dinner.”
    “That cursed cook! That pilfering witch! I’ve given her the household allowance! How can she need more!” In his anger, Wilmott’s face turned beet red.
    “You don’t give her enough, Father, that is why we run out before the month is over.” Honoria was blushingfuriously now and Lissa began to feel sorry for her. It seemed her father was even more of a skinflint than she was.
    “I’ll be right back, my dear,” Wilmott said to Lissa, resuming his pandering tone. He patted her hand and walked to the library with Honoria. Lissa could hear his lecturing until they disappeared down the passage, but long afterward, phrases like “the sinfulness of flagrant spending” and “the purity of the thrifty home” still made their way to the foyer.
    Thoroughly chagrined, Lissa sat in the huge marble foyer until the carriage arrived. When she heard the steely creaks of its wheels on the cobbles, she immediately stood and allowed the butler to help her to the conveyance.
    It was clear she was to wait for Wilmott to accompany her, but she had made no such promise. When the butler stepped back into the manor, Lissa leaned out the window and asked the driver to take her to Violet Croft cottage. She gave the elderly gent such an imploring look that barely five seconds passed before the carriage took off.
     
    That same morning, George Alcester stood by a pond and skipped acorns on its wavy surface. It was a splendid autumn day with a crisp breeze that rustled the brilliant oaks now at the peak of their glory. The little boy’s hair was ruffled, but he gave his appearance not a whit of concern as he hurled the acorns into the pond. A dark look was upon his face, and it became blacker still when he heard far away the Nodding Knoll school bell faintly peal the noon hour.
    From a distance,