The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,68
command of his words. They could have been easily misconstrued. The last thing he wanted her to think was that he was taking advantage of her kindness.
To intensify his discomfort, he could not shake the memory of William’s words. Had his brother and Amelia shared an intimate moment?
Before the carriage carrying him, Miss Barrett, and Mr. Carrington even pulled to a complete stop, Graham thrust open the carriage door and jumped down. He cast a warning glance at the footman, daring him to step closer, then extended his hand to Amelia.
Miss Barrett hesitated, then took his hand and stepped down. The moment her skirt was clear of the door, she tried to pull her hand away, but Graham squeezed it.
Her eyes widened when he wouldn’t let go. Graham slammed the carriage door closed with his other hand, just in case Carrington entertained a notion to join them.
“I need to talk about what you heard.”
She shook her head. “You owe me no explanation.”
“Then I need to talk to you about what I heard.”
Amelia diverted her eyes. “I had no business listening to a private conversation.”
The flurries falling around them increased. Silver flakes danced about her, landing on her eyelashes and melting when they kissed her cheeks. He took her by the arm and directed her closer to the house, away from the footman and driver. “We are to be married in two days, Amelia. I hardly think it wise to begin our union with secrets or doubt between us.”
She pursed her lips and yanked her hand from his. “Very well.” She jutted her chin out. “What are you buying from Edward?”
The honesty in her upturned face unnerved him. “Before you broke the engagement with Edward, he bought Eastmore’s west fields from my brother. The west fields are the pastures that join with Winterwood’s northwest corner. I asked Carrington to purchase them back anonymously.”
She frowned. “Why would he do such a thing?”
“Why would that man do a great many of the things he does? All I know is I am not comfortable with him owning property next to you and Lucy while I am gone. He’s a rogue, and the farther away he is from you, the better.”
“Why did you not tell me?”
“I thought not to burden you with such a detail when Carrington could handle it quickly and discreetly.”
She lifted her fur-lined cape hood and draped it over her head. Only the tip of her nose and chin remained visible. “I am quite capable of managing any and all issues related to Winterwood Manor, and I wish to be notified of such things, little or great.”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
“Good.” She pivoted toward the door.
He reached out his hand and wrapped his fingers loosely around her arm, stopping her. He could not get William’s words out of his mind. He had to hear her response. “While we are asking questions, I have one of my own.”
Even through the heavy fabric of her cloak he could feel her muscles tighten. “Very well.”
He hesitated, realizing full well the indelicacy of his question. “William says that you shared a kiss with him. Is this true?”
In a sudden burst of motion, she jerked her arm free and removed the hood’s cloak. She looked him square in the eye. He had angered her—or embarrassed her. The tight line of her lips indicated nothing less. He did not regret his question. He wanted to know—needed to know—but he had not anticipated the fire in her response.
“I did not kiss your brother, sir. He forced himself upon me during one of his all-too-frequent drunken episodes. I managed to escape with my dignity intact. Until now, that is.”
The instant she said it, he regretted his words. The coldness in her treatment of his brother the afternoon they’d visited Lucy suddenly made sense. He felt like an inconsiderate fool. “I apologize. I should have known otherwise.” He softened his tone. “Why did you not tell me?”
She cut her eyes toward the footman, no doubt making sure the man could not hear. “Do you really think I would admit such an indiscretion to anyone if I could help it? Your brother humiliated me, and you ask why I never spoke of it?”
The words were out of his mouth before he could consider the ramifications. “I do not wish to appear indelicate, but we are to be married. I have a right to know of such things.”
“A right? What exactly are you insinuating, Captain?”