Cates, Kimberly by Stealing Heaven Read Free Book Online

up with a better way to aid you. When I
think of my father's cruelty, I could—"
    "No,
Richard. You mustn't anger him any further. You've already risked far too much
on my account. No matter what awaits me in Ireland, I will be far happier than
I would have been here in England."
    "I
don't doubt that! What Father did was abominable! Trying to marry you off to a
pimple-faced cub, seven years your junior! I swear I could have called the
sop-nosed brat out myself, the way he attempted to paw you at Filderland's
soiree!"
    "But
you didn't call him out, Richard. You did something so much more helpful. You
helped to find me a way to escape forever. Escape your father and Purcival
Witherspoon."
    "By
offering you up to some Irishman like a virgin sacrifice? Sometimes I curse
myself for even bringing that infernal letter to you. It's possible this man
will be as bad as either of them." Richard raked impeccably gloved fingers
through his hair. "It's possible he'll be worse."
    Norah
tried to muster a smile. "And it's possible that he will be everything
I've ever dreamed of. Perhaps you are sending me into the arms of my own true
love."
    Richard
looked at her as if he wished very much it were so. "I just don't want you
hurt anymore, Norah."
    Her
heart squeezed at his concern, astonished by the man who had of late been
peeking past her brother's spoiled facade. Richard, as shallow as a child's
footprint filled with new rain. Whoever would have dreamed that he could shine
so brightly? Her deepest regret was that this closeness between them had come
so late, when she was leaving.
    She
reached out impulsively, taking her stepbrother's hand. "It will be all
right. I'm not a foolish chit with her head stuffed full of happily ever
afters," Norah lied. "The reality of my marriage will probably be
like all others— somewhere between perfect bliss and Armageddon. Contentment is
all anyone can truly hope for." Norah turned her face away from the light,
trying to hide from her stepbrother's eyes her hopes for her future. Her gaze
alighted on the parcels mounded on her trunk.
    "What
on earth are these?" she queried, overjoyed to have something to focus his
attention on other than her upcoming marriage.
    Richard
started, as if he'd forgotten, then he beamed at her. "I thought that a
bride should have a trousseau."
    Hot
tears spilled from Norah's eyes, hot and fast and unexpected. "A—a
trousseau?" she echoed, disbelieving.
    "I
know that Father said he'd not buy you so much as a handkerchief if you went
through with this mad plan. And the clothing you have—well...," He
squirmed, a little uncomfortable. "I have eyes. I've seen how drab and
threadbare your things have grown. I just thought that if you insist on running
off to marry your Irishman, you should dazzle him. The first time he sets eyes
on you, you should steal his breath away."
    "Oh,
Richard, as if I ever could! I've never been a beauty, but..." How had he
known the secret tears she had shed over her trunk, when there was no one to
see? How had he discovered how disheartened she had been as she attempted to
mend frayed seams and replace faded ribbons?
    Guilt
made her cheeks burn as she remembered how often she'd thought Richard was
spoiled and self-absorbed, unable to see the misery of others because he was
too engrossed in indulging his own pleasures. No, she'd not waste time in
regret, only accept this new Richard with an open heart.
    Delighted
with his surprise, Richard scooped the largest package from the bottom of the
stack, only Norah's quick movements keeping the other parcels from tumbling to
the wooden platform below.
    "The
first thing we hurl into the rag basket is that—that thing you're
wearing." He gave her mantle a scornful tug, discarding it. Then, before
she could protest, he ripped open the paper wrapping as enthusiastically as a
child at Christmas.
    The
lantern light spilled across a pelisse of Prussian blue trimmed in swansdown,
the combination impossibly beautiful, like