Blaze Wyndham by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online Page B

Bliss,” Blaze offered logically, trying to reason away her own disappointment. “The most important thing for me was that my family would be there, and you all will be.”
    “But we have not yet met Lord Wyndham!” wailed Blythe. “You will marry a man that none of us even knows! It frightens me to even think on it.”
    “Don’t be such a goose,” Bliss scolded her twin. “The only one who has to know the earl is Blaze, and she will soon enough. Perhaps your wedding was not to be a great affair, sister, but there was to have been a small celebration. Now you must be wed first thing tomorrow morning. Then be bundled off to RiversEdge without so much as a bridescake and wine. A girl’s wedding day is important to her, but I suppose the earl would not have stopped to consider that. How dreary of him!”
    “I was angry too when I first learned of these changes in our plans,” admitted Blaze, “but as I reconsider Master Anthony’s words I realize that it is rather flattering that the earl should feel my presence can cheer his people. No one has ever before thought me useful for anything.”
    “I think it very romantic that the earl cannot live another day without his bride.” Delight sighed. “I would love a man to feel that way about me.” Her deep blue eyes grew dreamy with the thought.
    Bliss opened her mouth to make a scathing retort, but instead shrieked, “Ouch!” as a frowning Blythe with uncharacteristic spirit pinched her arm.
    “Will we ever see you again, Blaze?” asked Vanora, her baby-round face with its almost black eyes worried.
    Blaze leaned forward, brushing a lock of Vanora’s pale silvery-gold hair back from her forehead. “Of course you will see me, Vana. As soon as I am settled you may come for a visit to RiversEdge. I am certain that my husband will permit it.”
    Vanora smiled with relief.
    “We will miss you,” Larke and Linnette chorused. They often spoke in unison. Although frequently scolded about it, they could not seem to break the habit.
    “I will miss you also,” Blaze replied, “but RiversEdge is only twelve miles from Ashby as the crow flies.”
    “As none of us will be flying crows, however,” said Bliss sharply, “it will be a half-day’s ride across the fields, or almost a full day going around on proper roads.”
    “Mistress Blaze,” quavered the voice of Old Ada as she hobbled into the room. “There is someone here from yer betrothed to meet ye.” She glowered at the other girls. “Get ye gone, ye chattering group of flibbertigibbets!” she scolded them. “ ’Tis the bride’s business I’ve come about. There’s no room here for all ye! Shoo!”
    Giggling at the old woman’s pretended ferocity, the Morgan sisters trooped out, leaving their eldest sibling with Ada. Behind the nursemaid stood a small, plump woman with a merry countenance, whose bright eyes twinkled at the girls as they passed her.
    “This be Heartha,” said Old Ada. “She be sent to wait on ye, and she has brought ye beautiful things.”
    “My lord has sent you a gown that you may wear tomorrow, and clothing for travel, my lady. He hopes it will please you. May I show you?” Heartha asked.
    “Please,” replied Blaze. “My younger sisters said the items you were showing Ada were beautiful.”
    “Curiosity killed the cat,” muttered the old lady.
    Heartha smiled broadly, showing large horse teeth. “Those garments was for them, my lady. The earl knew that your sisters would want to look especially nice even for a proxy wedding. He understood that the suddenness would perhaps leave them without proper garments ready. Ada”—Heartha turned to the old nursemaid—“would you have the young ladies try on their gowns? If any alterations be needed, they had best start now if they are to be ready tomorrow.”
    “Aye, aye, and yer right,” Old Ada agreed, and without another word to Blaze she hobbled off to find her other charges.
    Heartha laid the garments she carried upon