A Rose Before Dying by Amy Corwin Read Free Book Online Page B

Ariadne. They
were both females struggling to maintain their independence in a
world that frowned upon the mere notion of such a thing.
    “Adopted her! Work has clearly deranged your
delicate mind. Did I not warn you of that very eventuality?”
    “I can assure you, I emphatically have not lost my reason. Although you may be right that I’m not
myself, based upon the evidence.” Especially since I’ve
permitted you to remain . “However, despite my derangement, she’s my child, now. I’m grateful to have
her.”
    Without warning he slapped her. His face was
a blank mask as he grabbed her upper arm and gave her a sharp,
brutal shake. “This is precisely why your father begged me to take
care of you! You lack the intelligence to understand what you are
saying. Well, the guidance of a strong husband will set you right.
And I can assure you, once married, you may have as many children
as you wish. I have no objections to progeny. And there’s no need
to adopt strays from the gutter.”
    His fingers bit into her arm. The moist heat
of his hand seeped through her linen sleeve, searing her bruised
arm. Heart thumping, she tried to shake him off and step away. His
grip tightened.
    “None of that, sir!” Mr. Gibson pulled at the
stocky man, but Mr. Phillips shook him off.
    He had two stone at least on Mr. Gibson, and
he used his bulk to shift the wiry gardener toward the garden
door.
    Rose wailed and hid her face in the fold of
Ariadne’s skirt. When Ariadne took a step toward the safety of the
house, Rose clung even more tightly, impeding her. She shifted the
little girl and moved closer to the French doors before glancing
back. Mr. Phillips stared at her, his face flushed with anger.
    Unable to stop the gesture, she placed cool
fingers against her burning face, feeling the tenderness of a
nascent bruise. At her movement, the corners of his mouth twitched
as if he suppressed a smile. Despite her outward defiance,
Ariadne’s fear solidified inside her, making the warm July night as
cold as the longest night of winter.
    He had the law of men and Society to support
him. She had no one. How long could she oppose him before she was
swept up by men’s laws and forced to accede to his management of both Rosewell and herself.
    Not long.
    “Please, Mr. Phillips, please leave. I won’t
have a fight here. If I must, I’ll send for Mr. Abbott to escort
you to the door.”
    “No need. I understand your situation, and
your fluttering and coy refusals are but poor attempts at maidenly
modesty. You’ve no practice in flirtation and it shows. But in
time, you’ll accept your situation and come to heel. You’ve no need
to worry. I’m patient. I can wait for you to realize that marriage
is the true vocation of all women. It’s expected. If you wish to
maintain your father’s business and this house, you should marry me
before it’s too late. It’s not a bad bargain, after all.” He smiled
at Rose. “If nothing else, you’ll have your own children—not some
pathetic, ill-formed urchin.”
    Before she could reply, he nodded and strode
back through the lush greenery. The door to the rear garden opened
and closed. A sharp, cool breeze cut through the leaves around
her.
    With a shiver, she repeated a promise she’d
made to herself after her father died. She’d never marry him. Even
if she lost Rosewell, she’d never agree to be his wife. To belong,
body and soul, to him.
    Never .
    She couldn’t imagine life without Rosewell,
the house her father built for her mother, with its beautiful
gardens and her father’s roses. But some things were worse.
    Her face burned where Mr. Phillips had
slapped her. She ignored it and stroked Rose’s soft hair. Having
the child clinging to her apron gave her strength. She straightened
her shoulders.
    The future brought little certainty, except
in one thing: she’d need courage to retain her freedom.
    If it were possible for a woman to be
free.

Chapter Five
    “Are you sure you don’t