Ghosts of Winters Past by Christy Graham Parker Read Free Book Online

man couldn’t have known what he ’d read earlier in the day. Likewise, while he assumed the statement not to be a compliment, it might be a good idea to play the fool and take it as one.
    “Thank you, my lord.”
    It was taking all his strength to be civil, but it behooved him to try. The earl would be his father-in-law, after all.
    “It is far too late to be calling upon my daughter. Come back tomorrow morning.” Lord Gallent stepped back to close the door.
    Henry had only seconds to make up his mind. Either he fought the man who was the father to his intended or he stepped aside. He didn’t like either option. He stuck his foot in the door to keep it from closing in his face.
    “Do tell Lady Emmaline I came by.”
    “Of course, y our g race,” Lord Gallent said in a tone that implied he would do no such thing.
    Reluctantly, Henry nodded and moved his foot. The door closed almost immediately.
    ****
    “Father,” Emma said from the stairway. “Did you just answer the door?”
    She’d been walking to the library when she heard someone who sounded a great deal like Henry at the door. Her father never allowed whoever it was in, so she wasn’t sure the assumption was correct. And what would cause her father to answer the door?
    “Yes. I was expecting someone.”
    Something in his demeanor told her this wasn’t the time to ask about missing letters.
    “Incidentally,” he continued. “His g race, the Duke of Salle, will be calling on you in the morning.”
    She knew her delight must have shown on her face. “Is he? Was he at the door just now?”
    “Yes, I told him it was too late for him to be calling on you. There was plenty of gossip in the past concerning the two of you . I won’t have it again.”
    “Of course.”
    “An invitation to the Whitcombs ’ was delivered earlier. You have been invited to their ball tomorrow night.”
    Henry’s doing, she knew. Her heart raced knowing she would see him in the morning and later in the day. Perhaps they would go outside again. Perhaps he would even try to get her to waltz. To be in his arms again. Her body threatened to turn into jelly at the thought.
    She looked up at her father. He was frowning.
    Not the best thoughts to be having in front of her father.
    She schooled her features as much as possible. Tried to remember how she would have answered before Henry came back.
    “A ball,” she said. “How positively dreadful.”
    She had the strangest feeling she hadn’t convinced her father.
    “I won’t force you to go.”
    She waved her hand absentmindedly. “It’s no bother. I found I rather enjoyed myself the other night.”
    Her father made a low noise in his throat, turned , and walked away.
    ****
    Just as her father said, Henry arrived to call on her the next morning. He stood waiting for her in the drawing room , with his hat in his hands. As always, the sight of him made her hold her breath for just a second.
    Since her mother was watching, she curtsied. “Your g race.”
    He bowed. “Lady Emmaline.”
    “Come. Have a seat.” She led him to a nearby couch. How different she felt from when she did almost the very same thing not so long ago. Gone were the anger and fear. In their stead were excitement and hope.
    “Father said you came by last night,” she said once they were seated.
    “Yes. I believe I lost my mental capabilities for a bit. I hope it didn’t cause you trouble.”
    “No, of course not. I only wish it had been the butler who answered the door. Then maybe I would have been able to talk with you.”
    He reached for her hand, then pulled back. His eyes flickered over to where her mother sat sewing. “Emma,” he whispered. “Have you asked anyone about the letters?”
    “No.”
    “Don’t. Not yet , anyway.”
    “Have you found something?”
    His gaze moved over to her mother once again. “Yes, but now is not the best time to discuss it.”
    She nodded and spoke louder, “I received an invitation to the Whitcombs ’ t