Cynthia Wicklund [The Garden In the Garden of Disgrace (epub

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Waving him on, she pulled her cap more closely over her ears, hoping—no, praying—he had not recognized her.Then she started down the walk.The mansion was lit from top to bottom, the lights in the approaching dawn announcing as nothing else could the turmoil that gripped its residents.For one insane moment she toyed with the idea of fleeing as Lord Wickham had done.But even as the thought entered her head the front door was thrust open.Outlined in the doorway stood Papa, imposing and at that moment more frightening than she had thought possible.“Jillian!” he demanded.She heard the rough texture in his voice, the outrage, and again she prayed as her feet moved in answer to his summons.The trip down the walk was the longest few seconds of her young life.She reached the step but dared not look at him.It was not so much his anger she feared.It was his disappointment, for that she did not think she could bear.But because the not knowing was worse than the knowing, she gathered her courage and, when she stepped over the threshold, peered into his features.Her eyes welled with grief as the door closed behind her.And so began Lady Jillian’s fall from grace.*****CHAPTER 2Suffolk County, England—May, 1810Adrian St.John tugged on the reins of his horse, bringing the animal to a halt as he reached the rise of a small incline.He sat for several minutes, forearm resting on the pommel of his saddle, and surveyed the surrounding property, property owned by the Marquess of Sutherfield.In the distance he could see the main house, a sprawling manor whose history was evidenced by the additions that had been added through the centuries to the original structure.From atop the rise the rolling hills, the forest beyond, everything looked reassuringly the same even though the earl had been a young man of twenty when he last visited the Fitzgeralds.He wondered if he would be welcome after so many years.Adrian had entered the country three days previously, furtively, much as he had left it nearly eight years before.He had thought to stop in London but his mother, the one person who would have been happy to see him, had died last winter.He had discovered the tragic news only recently, and her loss was still a raw ache.He had tried to locate James Endicott, but James had married and moved to Scotland.The earl couldn’t explain why he had chosen Sutherfield to make his first appearance among the elite, except Simon and he had been close once and he hoped for a measure of understanding from someone he had called friend.Not that they had socialized much in the years preceding Adrian’s flight from the country.Simon, though a bit of a rogue himself, had not approved of his friend’s more daring exploits, so the two men had drifted apart.Adrian pulled in a deep breath and exhaled heavily through his mouth.He didn’t know if Simon was in residence it being the middle of the Season.But he supposed he might as well plunge in and see what happened.Straightening his shoulders, he kicked his horse and trotted down the incline across a grassy field toward the drive leading to the house.A groom greeted him as he reached the front walk.“How may I help you, sir?”The earl dismounted and tossed his reins at the man.“I’m Adrian St.John, Earl of Wickham.I was hoping to see Lord Sutherfield or rather his son, Simon.”The servant gaped at him.“I…uh, that is to say, the young master is now the Marquess of Sutherfield, my lord.His father died several years ago.” He hesitated.“Are you certain you wish to see his lordship?”The question was impertinent, and Adrian’s nostrils flared in irritation.“Positive.Is he in residence?”“Yes, my lord, he is.”“Good.See to my horse.”Already Adrian felt as though he had made a mistake in coming.If the groom’s reaction to his visit was an indication then the scandal had not completely subsided.He hated to put Simon in the awkward position of having to turn him away.Now more uncertain than ever he continued up the walk.At the moment he reached for the brass knocker, the front door flew open and the lord of the manor appeared on the step.“Simon!”Smiling, Adrian thrust out his right hand but his greeting went unanswered.Simon Fitzgerald, Marquess of Sutherfield, reared back with a white-knuckled fist and punched his old friend square in the mouth.The earl fell backwards, landing face up on the cobbled walk.Running his tongue gingerly over a lip that immediately began to throb, he recognized the salty taste of blood.His vision had dimmed, but through the haze he could see the marquess, tall and intimidating, looming over him.“Why did you do that?”“Stand up, you bloody bastard, so I can do it again!”Adrian came up on his elbow but remained where he lay, for the moment unsure whether or not he could rise.“I think I’ll stay right here until you explain yourself.”“Me? Explain myself? Stand up, I say.I’ve waited eight long years to get my hands around your cowardly throat.You’re not going to deny me the pleasure of beating you senseless.”The marquess continued to loom over Adrian, hands clenched aggressively.From his prone position the earl’s sight had begun to clear, and he watched the man with a wary eye.“Simon, please, can’t we do this without making a scene?” a melodic female voice interrupted at that point.“Invite the gentleman in so you can settle your difficulties in private [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Pokrewne