A Chance Encounter by Mary Balogh Read Free Book Online Page B

to a halt and gazed across at her. “And you, Elizabeth?” he had asked. “Do you love me? Will you wait for me?”
    â€œYes,” she had answered with all the ardor of extreme youth. “I love you, Robert, and I shall wait forever if I must.”
    He had glanced hastily around, but there were other riders in sight. He had had to content himself with lifting her hand, drawing her glove down to bare her wrist, and pressing his lips to the pulse there.
    â€œI shall always love you,” he had said, and Elizabeth had believed him.
    She laughed harshly now as she stood at the window of her room in the Rowes’ house, made light by approaching dawn. Forever did not last very long, she reflected.

CHAPTER 4

    E lizabeth was relaxing in the rose garden the next afternoon when Hetherington and Amelia Norris came to call. She had been into Granby in the morning to accompany Cecily on some shopping errands, and had listened to the girl practicing on the pianoforte after luncheon. Now Cecily was with her mother, and Elizabeth felt free to read at leisure the letter from her brother that had arrived by the morning post.
    Although she saw the two visitors arriving on horseback, she did not reveal her presence or make any move to go into the house herself. She was very glad, in fact, to be granted such a fortunate escape.
    Baby Jeremy had recently taken his first steps alone, she read with a smile. He had lowered himself down the whole length of the staircase one afternoon, waddled a few steps down the hallway, and toppled a marble bust off a table that he must have clutched for support. The housekeeper did not seem to know whether to scold or to hug the child. Louise was increasing again. John was a little worried, although she laughed away his fears. She was bilious in the mornings as she had not been with Jeremy. But she told him that she was merely looking for excuses to stay abed in the mornings. Elizabeth would be a very welcome visitor. She would be able to offer companionship to Louise, an extra member of the admiring audience to her nephew, and of course, a wonderful source of comfort to her brother.
    Elizabeth smoothed the letter on her lap and smiled down at it. John never gave up trying to lure her home. And the temptation was great, she had to admit that. She could not go back, though, and be dependent on her brother. She could not break in on the family circle there. Although she was really no more than a servant where she was, at least she was supporting herself on her own earnings. She had a measure of independence and selfrespect.
    She was jolted from her reverie by the sound of approaching voices. She recognized the rather shrill tones of Amelia Norris and the softer, higher-toned voice of Cecily. Perhaps they had left Hetherington in the house. She lowered her head to her letter again, hoping they would pass by without seeing her.
    â€œHiding, Miss Rossiter?” a deeper voice said from the graveled entryway of the arbor.
    â€œNot at all, my lord,” she replied coolly, looking up into his face. “I did not know that my presence was requested.”
    â€œWhat are you doing out here?” Miss Norris asked.
    â€œI have been reading a letter, ma’am,” Elizabeth replied, ignoring the impertinence of the question.
    â€œAnd who is it from, pray?”
    Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose. “From my brother, ma’am,” she said.
    â€œAh, yes, the one who married Louise,” she said. “An unwise marriage for her, I thought. His estate is still as impoverished as it was, I suppose?”
    â€œMy brother’s affairs are no business of mine, ma’am,” Elizabeth replied stiffly.
    â€œHe must be doing poorly if you are forced to work for a living,” Miss Norris persisted. “And I suppose Louise is breeding whenever she may?”
    Elizabeth flushed with anger. Out of the comer of her eye she could see Cecily busily examining the rose