[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

on the London streets put you to shame. They have nothing. No hope. Nothing. And
you have everything to live for. A fiancée who cares for you. A wonderful loving
mother. And you have responsibilities to your tenants, to your land, to your& 
He glared at her.  Have you finished, Miss Thurston?
Catherine gasped. She had gone too far.  I am sorry, my lord. Please forgive me.
She turned on her heel.  I will send for Pickens. Good morning.
She passed Pickens as she hurried to her room and gave him Lord Glenmore s
message.
Whatever had possessed her to speak like that to his lordship? She agonized over
what she had said and longed to take back every word. But he had been very rude,
taking his bad temper out on her because of her innocent remark about him attempting
to ride.
39
Anita Birt
If he wanted to stay shut up in the house for the rest of his life, what business was it
of hers? When he reported her behavior to Lady Glenmore, she d dismiss Catherine on
the spot.
Anxiety tightened her throat. Her mother had taken it into her head to purchase an
expensive gown for evening wear instead of settling the account with the coal
merchant. Her last letter had shocked Catherine.
 I simply had to have something new. An invitation came from Lady Newberry to attend an
evening function and I did feel the need for a little company. Since you left, I have been quite
bereft& 
Either she had to go down on her knees and apologize to Lord Glenmore or risk
dismissal. Dismissal without a reference at that. She had to apologize.
Still angry with him and his bad manners, she changed her mind about painting
him with Misty. Instead, she set up her easel, pinned on a piece of sketching paper, and
began a charcoal drawing of bad-tempered Lord Glenmore. With a few swift strokes,
she had him down perfectly. Black hair, glowering dark eyes, a frown on his brow, and
his mouth in a tight, disapproving line.
Catherine grinned at the sketch. She loved cartooning. Inspired, she printed a line
below his face.  Miss Thurston. You are a fool who does not know her place. Kindly
speak when you are spoken to.
She added a small drawing of herself in the lower right-hand corner. She was on
her knees, hands clasped in prayer, head bowed. Circling her humble figure, she
scrolled. Forgive me, Lord Glenmore. I will remain silent, unless ordered to speak.
Having rid herself of her antagonism to Lord Glenmore by taking it out on the
sketch, she picked up a book she d laid aside earlier and sat outside on the small
balcony to read. She d wait awhile before apologizing. Wait until his anger cooled or he
might throw something at her.
40
A Very Difficult Man
Chapter Five
Shaken to the core, Richard stared blindly into space. Is this what he d become? An
object of pity? Scorned by his companion. He d taken out his anger on her as if she were
responsible for his injuries.
 Shall I move you into the house, milord?
 Not yet, Pickens, I ll stay here awhile longer. Leave my crutches on the steps. I ll
make my own way in.
Alone, he wheeled himself down the drive to the hedge where she had seen the
wren. Her brutally frank words had cut deep into his heart into the dark place where
he d sought to hide from life.
A flickering movement caught his eye. The wren darted into a tiny opening in the
hedge. He eased back in his chair and remained quiet hoping she would reappear.
Spring had arrived without him knowing it. Earth smells, budding trees, and bird song
invaded his senses.
He d always loved the spring. Bird-nesting with Dolly. Gathering frog spawn in
jars. Digging up worms to bait their fishhooks. Catching trout in the river. Life was
perfect then.
And now?
He studied his hands. They were strong. He stretched out his right leg. It would
strengthen once he started walking. He rolled up his left trouser leg. There was nothing
wrong with his thigh and knee. His muscles needed work. Could he ride again? Did he
want to try? What if he was fitted for an artificial limb? Would that help him ride and
walk?
He wheeled around and started back to the house. He could either join the human
race again or& or what? Stay shut up in his rooms with Miss Thurston reading to him
until her three months were up. And what if she left before then, tired of his ill humor
and insults? He d miss her. Miss her lively presence. Miss the fire in her blue eyes when
she chose to speak her mind.
A footman dashed down from the house to assist Richard.  Your crutches, my
lord.
Richard stood and awkward as a babe taking its first steps, made his way into the
house, up the staircase and along to his suite. Muscles aching with fatigue, he staggered
into his room and bumped the door shut behind him. He really had to do leg and arm
strengthening exercises.
41
Anita Birt
His valet helped him off with his jacket and shirt and laid out a change of clothing.
 While I wash and change, please knock on Miss Thurston s door. Tell her to come at
once. I wish to speak with her.
 Yes, milord.
Richard bathed in cool water and dipped his head into the washbasin to wet his
hair.
Pickens hurried into the bathroom.  She s not there, milord.
 Not there? She must be there. Help me dress, I ll go with you. She had ripped
into him, dared to say things no one else had. Miss Thurston did not lack courage. His
sharp words had obviously upset her. Her eyes had sparkled with tears before she
turned her back on him and stormed into the house. She deserved an apology.
Dammit. He was forever apologizing to the woman. He d have handled a man
better. Would have been rid of him double quick. But Miss Thurston& she was
different. He didn t like to think of her crying.
He rested on his crutches while Pickens knocked on her door.  Not a sound, milord.
Shall I try later?
 Knock harder. She s likely having the vapors.
Silence from the other side.  Open the door, Pickens. Concerned she might be
weeping into her pillow, Richard stood in the doorway and gazed into her room. Neat
as a pin, except for her coat and bonnet on the bed. The orchid was on her beside table.
His companion sat on the small balcony. Intent on her book, she was unaware of his
presence. The sketch on her easel caught his eye.
 Pickens, Richard whispered.  Take that drawing from the easel and bring it to my
room, I wish to study it.
Like a conspirator intent on stealing the crown jewels, Pickens tiptoed across the
floor, removed the sketch, and tiptoed back to Richard.
 What shall I do with it, milord? Miss Thurston might not take kindly to me
stealing her sketch. A worried frown pinched his face.
 You are innocent, Pickens. If she inquires about her drawing, I will confess to
stealing it. He followed his valet across the hall.
 It is not a good likeness, milord, although she does have you down pat when you
are out of sorts. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]