An Heiress for All Seasons by Sophie Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

thickness in his throat. She could return to America and her Mr. Weston without a backward glance.
    Max clapped him on the shoulder, addressing his mother. “Nothing to fear, my lady. We’re still the best of friends.”
    She nodded, a wobbly smile gracing her lips.
    “If you’ll excuse me.” Will motioned to his mussed clothing as though it was something he cared about and must attend to.
    Striding from the room, he took the stairs two at a time, intent on one goal. One female. As long as she was still here, there was a chance—and that’s all he needed to fight.
    O nce inside her bedchamber, Violet turned in a small circling, feeling suddenly as if she were suffocating. She told herself that she would be gone from this place in a few more days. And yet a few days seemed much too far away. She needed space. Distance. Air to breathe. Tired of being cooped up, she marched toward her armoire and began riffling for her warmest clothes. Garbed appropriately for the elements, she slipped from the room and took the servants’ stairs out of the house. She tromped through the snow to the stables.
    The stable lad tried to stop her, but she ignored him as she saddled her own mount, a gentle mare named Daisy. The only thing she could see was Merlton’s face in her mind, watching raptly as Miss Little shared her goat-riding anecdote. If Violet had told such a vapid story would he listen with even a fraction of such interest? Blast the man! Why must she care one way or another?
    She was tempted to take Devil for no other reason than irking the earl—assuming he ever peeled himself from Miss Little’s side to notice she had left the room—but she knew that might be pushing the stable lad beyond his limit.
    “I won’t go far,” she assured him. “And it’s not yet full dark.”
    He gestured helplessly. “Miss, the snow. . . .”
    “It has stopped.”
    “Aye, but it could begin again. I feel it in my bones. My bones always know.” He bobbed his head insistently. “And you could lose your way out there in all that. The landmarks are—”
    “I’ve spent a good amount of time over the last week walking the estate. I am quite familiar with the lay of the land.” She had to leave. She had to get away. She didn’t care if it was bitter cold. She couldn’t stand another minute in that house whilst Merlton courted another heiress. Would he use the same words? Would he tell her just how good they could be together? Blast! Fire scraped the back of her neck and crept over her ears.
    “Allow me to saddle up my mount and accompany you.”
    Using the block, she mounted Daisy with sure movements, relishing the feel of a horse beneath her. She missed this. This was familiar. Safe. An earl with silvery blue eyes and a devil’s tongue was not. She looked down at the stable lad. “That’s not necessary. I’m an accomplished rider. I will be back shortly.” She just needed a little air. Space and distance. Another moment beneath that roof walls while the earl courted his new heiress and she might go mad.
    He twisted his cap in his hands, still looking uncertain and she smiled down at him with the same smile she bestowed on Papa when she wanted to win her way. It rarely failed her.
    He relented, although still looking unhappy. “Please don’t be long, Miss.”
    “I promise. I’ll be back soon.” Nodding, she lifted her scarf high against her throat and dug in her heels.
    She rode out from the stables, determined that a brisk ride would help her forget. At least for a little while she could forget herself. And the earl who filled too much of her thoughts.
    “W hat do you mean she left?” Will waved a hand toward the partially open doors through which he had just passed. It had begun to snow again, and a screen of white fell at a sharp angle outside the stables.
    After searching the house for Violet and finding no sign of her, he had decided to check the stables, recalling the first night he met her. He knew how much she