[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
man of his wealth.
He hesitated.
"My horse. Satan. He has been Harry's horse for more than a week."
"But how could you wager him?" Claire was horrified. She knew how
much he loved his colt. The horse seemed a part of him. And then for
him to forfeit the wager before he'd even known he would lose for
certain. He shrugged.
"At the time I made the wager I was angry and more than a little drunk.
I needed a wife, and I was indifferent as to how I obtained one."
"To inherit your castle."
"How did you know?" His voice held surprise.
"Alicia told me."
His smile was humourless.
"That was probably the only true thing she said to you. As a condition
of inheriting Biydon Castle, I must marry within six weeks from the
date the will was read. Otherwise, the estate is to be sold and the
proceeds to go to a charity. I am not allowed to purchase it."
Six weeks? Well over a month had passed since the lottery. Claire
clasped her hands together.
"How long do you have before you must wed?"
"About five days, I believe."
"You do not have much time." She suddenly felt sad. She remembered
ABC Amber Text Converter Unregistered, http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/
how he had talked of the romantic old castle, and his eccentric uncle
of whom he'd obviously been fond. How could his uncle have. made such
ridiculous conditions?
"Isn't there someone...?"
"No." She looked up to find a sardonic smile curving his lips.
"There's no one at this late hour. At any rate,
I've discovered one thing I don't want is a marriage merely to secure a
property. "
"I see." He no longer wanted her. Wasn't that what she'd desired all
along? She'd never expected the wave of disappointment that washed
over her.
She realised he was speaking.
"So perhaps we could try another truce.
A second one. Our first did not work out very well. " He hesitated.
"I
would like us to be friends, if at all possible. " Friends.
"That would be very nice." Her voice was polite, as if she were
accepting a second cup of tea.
"Well..." He held out his hand.
"Shall we shake on it?" She laid her hand in his, the touch of his now
warm skin sending a jolt of awareness through her. She pulled her hand
away, her cheeks hot with colour.
He backed away from her, passing a hand over his hair. He looked
flustered.
"I could do with some food."
"You're welcome to mine, but I'm afraid it's probably cold."
ABC Amber Text Converter Unregistered, http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/
"I'll ring for the proprietor." He strode towards the door. They ate
in silence, or rather Jack ate as Claire had no appetite. Instead, she
found herself watching him across the table. His hair was still damp
and a lock fell over his forehead, making him look rather vulnerable.
Her hand ached with the need to smooth it back from his brow.
He finally looked up and frowned at her.
"You're not eating," he said.
"I'm not very hungry." She shoved a few peas aside, feeling
unaccountably depressed. She felt as if they were taking their last
meal together. If she had any sense, she would leave the table and go
up to bed. He would go tomorrow, and so would she. If she rose early
enough, perhaps she could leave without seeing him.
"So, your brother decided to send you to Hartfield. Is that what you
wanted?" he suddenly asked.
"I was tired of London, so I had no objections. I wanted to be by
myself for a while."
"Do you plan to stay there?"
"Perhaps." This stilted polite conversation was worse than their
quarrels.
"Are you returning to Grenville Hall?" She wanted no more questions
about her plans.
"I will go abroad for a while. We have a small estate in Italy that
has been rather neglected. I may go to Greece after that."
"That sounds very fascinating." And rather lonely. She had a sudden
image of him viewing the wonders of Greece, but quite alone. He didn't
look as if it pleased him much. In fact, he looked very tired; lines
of fatigue showed on his face and the shadow of his beard was beginning
to show.
"Yes." He stood abruptly.
"You should go to bed. You look all done in."
ABC Amber Text Converter Unregistered, http://www.thebeatlesforever.com/processtext/
She rose also.
"So do you." She held out her hand, not quite knowing what to say.
"Thank you."
He took it, lifted it to his lips for a brief moment.
"Thank you." He dropped her hand and hesitated.
"My room is near yours if I can be of any further service to you.
Otherwise, I will bid you goodbye. I plan to leave as early as
possible tomorrow."
"Yes. Goodbye, then." She turned away quickly so he wouldn't see the
tears that threatened to spill over. And then she left the room.
This time she was in a carriage. She saw nothing but mist, but the
carriage was moving faster and faster. Her baby was beginning to cry,
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]