Blaze Wyndham by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online

scene.”
    “Your daughter is hot-tempered?” Anthony Wyndham’s light-colored eyes showed mild curiosity.
    “You will soon judge for yourself, sir,” replied Lord Morgan with a small chuckle. “Of course there is the possibility that my daughter will remember her manners.” Then he laughed aloud.
    Anthony Wyndham suddenly looked distinctly uncomfortable. He had not wanted this particular commission, but Edmund had insisted, and they were best friends.
    “I cannot,” he had said, “leave RiversEdge now. I believe the worst to be over, but if I left our people at this point it would dishearten them. Go to Ashby Hall and bring back my bride, Tony. I know it may distress her to have our wedding plans changed so abruptly, but we need Blaze here at RiversEdge now!”
    “Master Anthony, I present my daughter Blaze to you.” Robert Morgan’s voice pierced Anthony Wyndham’s thoughts.
    Focusing his light blue eyes, he looked down upon the most exquisite creature he had ever beheld. A pair of violet-blue eyes set within a perfect heart of a face which was framed in a halo of golden-brown hair looked curiously back. It was all he could do to keep himself from reaching out and touching her. He felt tongue-tied as he struggled to speak, his own voice sounding hollow in his ears. “I bring you greetings from your betrothed husband, lady.”
    “I welcome you to Ashby, Master Anthony.” Her voice was clear and musical in tone.
    “Master Anthony has some exciting news for you, Blaze,” said Lady Morgan, gently prompting him. “Pray be seated, as it will take some telling. Your father and I, already being informed, will now return to our tasks.” Rosemary Morgan took her surprised husband by the hand and walked from the room.
    Seating herself in a tapestry-backed chair, Blaze looked up at Anthony Wyndham, wondering if her betrothed husband were as handsome as this man. His coal-black hair and clear, light blue eyes with their thick sooty lashes were a startling contrast to his very fair skin. No . Papa had said that the earl had brown eyes.
    “What is it you wish to tell me, sir?” she queried Anthony. “Has your uncle changed his mind about acquiring another wife?”
    “Nay, lady! He is most eager for your arrival, which is why I have come. There has been a severe summer sickness amongst the children at RiversEdge. Several previously healthy younglings died. That tragedy was almost immediately followed by a freak storm with fierce lightning. It attacked the estate without warning. There was no time to bring the stock in from the pastures. One huge bolt of lightning struck in a field with such ferocity that it set the trees afire and killed an entire flock of sheep that had been grazing in that particular meadow. The terrible and hellish sound of it was heard for miles around.
    “The people of RiversEdge are demoralized by these frightening events. The old goodwives are prattling about bad fortune visiting us because of my uncle’s lack of a wife and children. Then two nights ago Edmund gave an outdoor fete to cheer his people’s spirits and reassure them. Shortly after sunset a fireball was seen shooting across the heavens, thereby giving rise to more tidings of doom.
    “My uncle has therefore decided that he cannot leave his estates at this time. Nonetheless he does not seek to postpone your nuptials. Rather he would use this marriage for a good omen. He has sent me to act as his proxy. We will wed immediately, and I will bring you back to RiversEdge, where Edmund hopes that a formal celebration of your marriage will encourage and cheer your people. As my uncle’s wife, it will be your duty to see to such matters.”
    Surprised by this sudden change in her wedding plans, and outraged by his last words to her, Blaze stamped her foot. Then, standing up, she said angrily, “I am more aware than you, sir, of a wife’s duties! How dare you seek to preach them to me? I regret the trials that have been visited upon