Blaze Wyndham by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page A

RiversEdge, but I find this change of plans unseemly. I will, however, abide by my lord’s wishes in this matter. When will the proxy ceremony take place?”
    He was astounded by her anger, but decided it was but caused by her disappointment. “Tomorrow,” he answered her.
    “Tomorrow?” she shrieked. Her head was beginning to throb.
    “My uncle wants you at RiversEdge before the week’s end, lady.” He was not certain how to deal with this outraged child-woman who was about to be his aunt. Had she been his betrothed wife he would have found himself torn between kissing her and spanking her.
    Blaze drew a deep breath to still her anger. She could not ever remember having been so furious. The earl was most considerate of his people, and very eager for himself, but what of her?
    “You will like RiversEdge,” Anthony said in an attempt to placate her. “It is a fitting setting for such a beautiful jewel of a woman as you are.”
    “I do not think you have the right to speak to me in such an intimate fashion, sir,” she said stiffly. “Remember that I am to be your uncle’s wife, and in future, address me with the respect due my station.” She almost gasped with surprise at her own words. Why on earth was she behaving this way?
    “No disrespect was meant, madam,” he said coolly, thinking that though she be beautiful she was prudish. He pitied his uncle now, for gentle Cathy had been a warm and vibrant woman.
    “Is there anything else you would tell me, sir?” Blaze demanded. When he shook his head in the negative, she curtsied, saying as she left the room, “Then I shall bid you a good day, sir.”
    It took every ounce of self-control she possessed to walk from the room with what she hoped was a regal stance. Her heart was hammering violently within her chest. She was angry, and excited, and afraid all at once. She was certain that her legs were wobbling even if her backbone was stiff and straight. As she closed the door behind her she broke into a run, fleeing up the staircase to her bedchamber so she might have a few moments to regain her composure before she must face her family. It was not to be. All her sisters, but for baby Glenna, were crowded into the room awaiting her.
    “ Well? ” demanded Bliss. “Who is he? He’s got a full dozen men-at-arms wearing the Langford livery with him. There’s even a female servant who came with them, and is closeted with Old Ada now. They are unpacking the most gorgeous clothing I have ever seen!”
    “Am I allowed no privacy in my own chamber?” Blaze grumbled.
    “Not until you tell!” replied Delight mischievously.
    “We’re all dying of curiosity,” said Blythe in her sweet, soft voice.
    “Oh, very well,” muttered Blaze. “There are no secrets in this house anyway. You’ll all know soon enough. He is Master Anthony Wyndham, the earl’s nephew.”
    “ He is gorgeous,” remarked thirteen-year-old Delight with an exaggerated sigh that caused her younger siblings to giggle.
    “No future,” said the practical Bliss. “Blaze is bound to have a dozen sons if the earl does his duty by her.”
    “It won’t change the fact that he’s gorgeous, as Delight says, even if he is poor,” said Blythe with a twinkle. “Besides, he cannot be too poor.”
    “Time enough for gorgeous men after we’ve all married rich men,” Bliss replied, dismissing Anthony Wyndham’s prospects. “Why is he here? Your wedding is not for another fortnight.”
    “My wedding is tomorrow,” Blaze said irritably, plumping herself into the middle of their big bed, and going on to explain to her astounded sisters the whys and wherefores of the change.
    “Why, ’tis outrageous!” sputtered Bliss when her elder sister had finished with her explanations. “A woman may have more than one wedding in her lifetime if she is widowed, but there is only one first wedding. It is like only being able to lose your virginity once! It is special!”
    “ ’Twas to be no great affair,