A Matter of Choice by Laura Landon Read Free Book Online Page A

death yet?”
    “No.”
    “Give him time.”
    Joshua sighed. “I’m afraid two lifetimes will not be enough for him to accept what happened that day. He will always need someone to blame.”
    “Perhaps that is his grief talking.”
    “Perhaps.”
    “The accident wasn’t your fault, Montfort.”
    Joshua tried to push the nightmare that still haunted him from his mind, but it refused to leave him alone. Instead, he remembered Philip pushing his horse too fast over rough and uneven ground, Philip attempting to jump the hedge that was too high for an inexperienced horse and rider, Philip’s horse refusing to make the jump, then...Philip’s broken body on the ground.
    “In part, Father is right in blaming me. If I hadn’t dared Philip to race...”
    “Then Philip might have tripped on the stairs and fallen to his death.”
    Joshua’s breath caught.
    “None of us have a say in when we will die, you know. You give yourself far too much credit if you think you could have prevented God’s will from happening.”
    “It’s too bad Father doesn’t share your opinion. He constantly wishes our roles had been reversed.”
    “That is your father’s loss. Perhaps he simply cannot see your good points.” Hartley shifted his weight. “Philip saw them, though. He thought very highly of you, you know.”
    Joshua shot him a sideways glance with raised eyebrows.
    Hartley laughed. “Yes, even though he knew about your fondness for drinking, gambling, and a willing female, he said that being irresponsible was your way of disguising your true character.”
    Joshua smiled. “I always did have him fooled.”
    “Philip was much too perceptive to be fooled. Even by you. We were both lucky to have known him.”
    With that, the earl turned and walked toward the house.
    “Hartley.”
    Hartley stopped.
    “This is none of my concern, and if I am overstepping my bounds, please ignore my next comments.”
    “Yes?”
    “During the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with your sister.”
    “And…”
    “And I believe Lord Archbite has formed quite a fondness for her.”
    “This concerns you?”
    “I know his breeding is impeccable and he seems the perfect match for Lady Allison, but…”
    “Go on, Montfort.”
    “Lord Archbite keeps a house near Mayfair Park.”
    “That is hardly scandalous. Many men, single and otherwise keep a mistress. If that’s what you’re implying.”
    “Lord Archbite’s friend is an artist, a painter. His name is Rafael.”
    Hartley stiffened. His hands fisted at his side. “You’re sure?”
    “I encourage you to confirm this yourself.”
    He ignored Hartley’s vile oath and turned to brace his hand atop the balustrade.
    “Thank you, Montfort. I appreciate your candor.”
    Joshua didn’t answer, but lifted his chin to let the cool breeze hit his face once again. At least Allison would be saved from that scandal.
    +++
     
    Allison sat in the lavish music room totally absorbed by the glorious sounds coming from the magnificent Mademoiselle Miranda Bochaut. Each note, each word, each melodic phrase was a benediction, a prayer to heaven. Her rich mezzo soprano voice filled the room with unhindered clarity and grace, her unequaled talent clearly a gift from above. Never before had Allison heard anything so beautiful.
    Never before had she seen a woman more beautiful.
    The singer couldn’t be more than twenty-four or twenty-five, gracefully tall, with a figure as fragile as a china doll’s. Her hair was the color of spun gold, which she wore up loose on the top of her head. Shimmering tendrils cascaded down to her shoulders, framing a face so lovely it could have belonged to an angel. Her cheeks held a faint blush, her lips a deep rose, her eyes the clearest blue Allison had ever seen.
    And every note she sang, every word from her mouth flowed as if inspired by some unseen spirit. But it was not the angels to whom she sang. It was to the darkly clothed, handsome man