Charlotte suspected that she had come in from her carriage because she wanted to check Charlotte’s appearance, and smarten her up if necessary, before shepherding her into society. For the first time in more than a year, however, Charlotte was feeling confident. Frances’s high-toned dresser had n...
She had risen early and sat down directly after breakfast to make a list of all the things that must be done. But she had gotten no further than item one before breaking off to stare into space, the pen forgotten in lax fingers. “Do you think I am making a mistake?” she as...
drawled Lady Alicia Alston, gazing out over the great hall of Perdon Abbey with a distinctly jaundiced eye. The Honorable Roderick Massingham, second son of the Earl of Murne, sighed and leaned an elbow on the carved oak banister of the ancient minstrel’s gallery. The one ...
The day had gone very well. Each project he visited had shown progress. He felt as if the massive work of restoring Trehearth was actually happening. It had seemed overwhelming at first, and so slow. There was still much to accomplish. But step by step, it was moving along. &nbs...
A great wave of relief and happiness washed over Anabel as she rested there, and she nearly cried at the joy of their reunion. How could she ever have overlooked Christopher’s perfections? she wondered again. He was everything she wanted in a man. “Are you all right?” he s...
The coals of a fire gleamed before him. Moonlight shone through bare windows, enough to show him the empty room and the naked woman curled against his chest. It all came back to him then, in a jumble of emotion—the ride, the crag, the bout of passion with the visitor he was supposed to be shepher...
The night was cold, but she had a thick shawl under her cloak as well as a wool scarf tied about her head and fur-lined boots and gloves. The chill was endurable. Her determination made it easier to ignore. As the minutes dragged into an hour, and part of another, she rubb...
By this time, she had social engagements nearly every night; she attended another ball, joined a party at Vauxhall Gardens, and went to the theater with Laurence and Edward. Mariah accompanied her when there was no other chaperone, but she made it clear that she did not relish the outings. And wh...
Glass doors were open to the soft spring air. People were exchanging farewells; many of them were already packed and ready to leave the city, to return to their own capitals or to ride for the battlefield in the north. Decisions had at last been made, documents signed. All that remained was to de...
Mary had gone upstairs to lie down, so Katharine received him alone in the drawing room. She was both puzzled and intrigued when the visitor was announced, for Stonenden had never called upon them except to sit for his portrait. When he came in, he was smiling, and Kathari...