Summer's Distant Heart - Laura Landon Page 0,29
sea.”
“Then she and my brother would have made quite a stunning pair. He also had hair of gold and eyes a startling blue.”
Lia turned her head and her gaze locked with Hunter’s. Before she could respond, a strange emotion stole her breath. Without reason, she suddenly wanted him to see her. Amelia. Not Janice. Not the sister whose future had been cut short, but Amelia, who had a whole life ahead of her.
“I would ask a favor,” Lia said in a breathless voice that quite surprised her.
“Yes.”
“You see, I am quite desperate to move about. Just for a bit.”
“Well, then, let’s give it a try. But you must be sure to keep hold of my arm.” He rose and extended his hand.
Lia smiled and nodded. “I shall appreciate your support.”
She extended her hand which he clasped with his own, adding just enough of a pull to help her slip off the chaise with what almost felt like grace.
“I can’t believe how weak I am,” she said once she had steadied herself. “I’m going to have to work to regain my strength.”
“And how do you intend to do that, Jannie—” He stopped and turned an apologetic look in her direction. “Lia. Sorry. It’s going to take me a day or two to accustom myself to thinking of you by your real name.”
Lia lowered her gaze, somewhat chagrined at the reminder of her earlier deception. “It’s understandable.”
Hunter Montclaire turned toward the door that led to the garden. “Perhaps a few minutes in the sunshine?”
She laughed. “You have no idea how positively wonderful that sounds!”
Acknowledging her enthusiasm with a grin, he led her out onto the terrace that was set about with lush Grecian planters. With each step she felt stronger, more sure-footed, and without a thought, she urged him down the three steps to the garden path.
“I refuse to allow you to overdo the first time you think you are strong enough to get out of bed. It’s growing late, and it won’t be long before it will start growing dark. We’ll make sure we’ve returned to the house before then.”
Lia made a face and nodded as she secured her hand more snugly through his bent elbow. It felt natural to walk next to him. She felt safe when she was near him, as if she belonged next to him.
“Have you seen Miles today? It’s quite unusual for him not to visit. I thought for sure I would see him.”
“The truth is, I sent him to the village.”
“For what reason?”
“To see if he could discover anything concerning my father. I didn’t want those kinds of questions being associated with me. With Miles asking the questions, there’s no reason for folks to make a connection with Rainwood.”
“You think your father might be searching for you?”
“Not that he wants to have anything to do with me. Only that he wants to know where I am and keep watch on me. When I stopped taking his allowance several years ago he began making veiled inquiries around London. He was merely curious how I manage to exist without his help.” Hunter raked a hand through his hair. “Now, however, he has reason to think I know something about Evan’s marriage. I would imagine he will escalate his search soon if he hasn’t already.”
“Forgive my, my lord, but how is it that you manage if, as you say, you hold yourself apart from your family estate?”
He chuckled. “Not every man fritters his days in the gaming hells, I assure you. I for one have found industry to be the most satisfying way to occupy my time.”
It was a vague answer, but as Lia took in the beautifully manicured grounds and sizeable, well-kept household, she could believe that he was indeed, as he said, a man of means. And the respect shown him by his staff was a most telling clue to the fact that he looked after them with as much care and concern as he exhibited for his estate.
“I do not believe I like your father,” Lia said with a satirical grin.
“Then you are very wise. He is not someone anyone would wish for a father.”
“Why does he dislike you so?”
“Because he is a man of deep cravings and he loved—or rather coveted—my mother more than anything in the world. Many men had vied for her hand, but he had won her. He took immense pride in her. And then she died giving birth to me.”
Lia stopped in the middle of the path and lifted her