She had sworn never to be pulled into that particular obsession. She hadn’t, either, in spite of childish dreams and play-acting. She’d become more serious, more practical as she grew up. Times had changed, too, so the idea seemed frivolous. She’d also known her prospects ...
She was dressed, her hair done. It was morning, the sun shone brightly through the windows. But an aimless feeling possessed her. Without Justin and his valet to enliven the time of rising, the day seemed flat. She was aware of a vague desire to cry. What she needed was something to do, something...
Laura and her mother were reading in front of a blazing fire under the Federal mantel in the sitting room when the phone rang. “You get it,” Mrs. Nichols said, looking up with a smile. “It’s probably for you anyway.” It had been a mistake to locate the upstairs extension telephone in the wide hal...
Faced with Mara’s challenge to settle the outcome of the siege by right of arms, he laughed aloud and slapped his knee at the jest. That was before Rayne stepped forward to present himself as her champion.The insignia of deer and longbows, quartered, that was etched into the breastplate Rayne wor...
I have waited through the last days of the fall, through the grape harvest and the grain harvest, and the faded, dreary days when the earth itself seems worn-out and ready for rest. I cannot believe that my dear Allain will not return for me. I will not believe that he can stay away. This autumn,...
An hour before time, she sent word by Carmelita that she was more tired than she had realized and intended to have a tray in her room, adding the request that Anne keep Ramón company downstairs. Left to herself, Anne might have taken the coward’s way and asked for a tray also, but Doña Isabel had...
Cammie lifted a hand to wave. Seconds later her cousin pulled out behind them. He followed them into the drive and rolled to a stop a few feet from their rear bumper. Cammie got out and walked toward the sheriff while Reid took her overnight bag from the back of the Jeep. “I don't mean to tell yo...
Estelle, as she was handed aboard by the Marquis, exclaimed at its beauty. Coming behind her, Caroline and Amélie were quieter in their appreciation, while Theo simply stood and stared until Anatole had to push him aside to make his way aboard. The breeze across the water was fresh, the sun shone...
She stood on the steps a moment with her hands pushed into the pockets of her jeans. The sun was shining. A light breeze swayed the Spanish moss on the trees and sent a soft rustling through the leaves of the dark green ceiling overhead. She frowned. It was one thing to make up her mind, but some...
Renold said. “People choose costumes for the way they see themselves, or the way they would like to be. That’s why kings and queens, bishops and courtesans always outnumber the paupers and common criminals. It’s also the reason you never come across a common person. No one considers themself ordi...