Read Online My Lord's Lady by Sherrill Bodine - Free Book Online Page B

be ignored. She considered herself a strong woman who had always known her own mind, but now she stood, buffeted by doubt.
    What would be gained, what lost, by throwing her bonnet over the windmill, and following the dictates of her heart?
    The second knock was louder and a childhood tattoo. Dum dah de dum dum. It couldn’t be him! She rushed to the door and flung it open.
    Lawrence stood at stiff attention, although his face was split in the widest grin she’d ever had the pleasure of seeing.
    “Lady Sherbourne, I have come to escort you to our party.”
    He offered his arm, this miniature of his father, and she took it, glad for the moment of respite.
    “What kind of party have you arranged?” she asked, burning with curiosity and a strange premonition.
    Little flames of excitement lit his eyes to a brilliant blue. “It’s a surprise!”
    Surprise was mild compared to her feelings. She came up short in the ballroom doorway. Stunned, she gazed around the room in disbelief at the changes he had wrought. The others were already seated on thick coverlets spread upon the floor.
    They were to picnic again, but tonight they would do so in a bower of loveliness. Trees in tubs from the greenhouse were placed strategically about the room; pots of flowers—roses, pinks, and cornflowers formed a meandering pathway through them.
    Leticia had a lap full of yellow and white flowers. Somehow Vane had conjured up daisies! She was busily wreathing crowns for everyone.
    Moonlight filtered in through the long windows bathing the room in fairy silver. She had eyes for no one but Forry. Tonight he wore no cravat and his shirt lay open at his throat. He stood under a young birch, propped in a characteristic pose, but his eyes were full of questions.
    Instinctively she knew he had done this all for her. He wanted to prove he appreciated the life she had brought into his household, the joy she had restored to him and his children. She marveled at the depth of his understanding of her fears.
    “Now that you have arrived, we can begin,” he drawled, motioning her to sit beside Tildie, who was wearing an expression like a cat who had just licked clean a saucer of cream.
    Georgina was content to watch him quietly orchestrate, by just a flick of his hand, a picnic feast beyond perfection. Each course was carried in on a silver platter—smoked salmon, roast partridge, sweetmeats. Champagne was served in the finest crystal; Leticia and Lawrence drank their lemonade in a toast to many more picnics. Innumerable removes followed, in fact she lost count, for she found she wasn’t really hungry at all. After a laugh-filled hour, it was time for dessert.
    A footman carried in an enormous covered platter. Even the children couldn’t guess what delight might be in store. He lifted away the cover to reveal a simple bowl of apples.
    There was a collective breath of disappointment from everyone but her. Looking at the red fruit, she was reminded of the day he had saved the little apple girl—perhaps that was the moment her feelings had first softened toward him. Had he felt something special that day, too? It seemed so long ago.
    She lifted her eyes and found his gaze resting on her face. More relaxed than she’d ever seen him, sprawled across a blanket on his side, he looked so vital, so desirable, she felt her heart skip a beat.
    Without a glance at the others, he said softly, “Now the games shall begin,” never taking his eyes off her face.
    A great wash of pleasure crashed over her, causing her limbs to feel like loose strings. If Lawrence hadn’t helped her to her feet, she wasn’t certain she could have stood.
    “We are playing hide-and-seek,” Lawrence announced importantly. “I choose Lady Sherbourne to hide.”
    “And Father will seek!” Leticia chimed in, nearly quivering with excitement.
    He covered his eyes, with a great show of reluctance, and began to count.
    Her heart was pounding, her insides a whirl of fearful anticipations.