Face to Face (The Deverell Series Book 2) by Susan Ward Read Free Book Online

nightmare. They made twelve fine, large cheeses they planned to give to the needy. They picked flowers for vases, creating lopsided arrangements to grace the exquisitely decorated rooms that were, no doubt, Varian’s contribution to the household. They walked the fields being plowed and planted, and explained with surprising thoroughness the process of planting and crop rotation. They were knowledgeable about many things though not capable in anything. They were dear, defenseless women in every way.
    Far away the world’s wars raged. At Winderly the only war Merry fought was Varian.
    As on Isla del Viento , the Captain never behaved like Morgan with the Devereaux sisters. He was only those dangerously appealing parts Merry now labeled in her mind “Varian.” She wondered if Varian were the true man, and if that were why he had brought her here, away from the ship, free from the burden of command so he could be only what he wanted her to see.
    One evening two weeks later, Merry looked up from her supper plate and found Varian watching her. He did it so frequently these days. Her persistent shyness over this was a thing of utter nonsense. But the way he looked at her moved through her veins a warming sensation that left her slightly breathless. She could only meet his gaze a few moments before she felt the urgent need to look away.
    It was the knowing sureness of why he watched her, knowing he was pursuing her, which made every part of her stir in answer to the desire within those great dark eyes. His manner was unfailingly correct and artfully restrained, but the tension in him was a thing she felt in her own flesh. The burn in his eyes was one of meaning, and it was becoming harder each day to resist him.
    She knew he was leading her where he wanted her to go. It would not be long before she was unable to stop him. What a pitiful girl she’d become. What she didn’t know was where Varian wanted to take her or if there was still a way to escape him.
    The meal was nearly concluded when a servant bearing an envelope on a silver tray held it beneath April’s face. Ripping open the seal, a smile grew on the sister’s face as she read the note.
    She looked up from the page and announced, “We are invited to a party.” She said it in a confused way as though such a thing had never happened.
    Aline leaned across the table to read the note. “We’ve never been to the Well’s before. And it’s a ball, no less!”
    Merry felt her temper flare. Wells? Was it possible the invitation had been from Regina? She wondered what mischief the blond sow was about now.
    “I for one think we should attend.” April lifted her eager eyes to Merry. “Don’t you think we should go, Merry?”
    Not bloody likely , Merry thought forcing a stiff smile. When April’s attempt to gain Merry’s support in this did not stir enthusiasm for the sisters’ wants, both sisters turned to stare at Varian.
    Varian held out his hand and April dropped the letter into onto his palm.
    “We’ll only go if you think we should, Cousin Varian,” said April. The sisters regarded the world beyond Winderly as a place only to be ventured into fearfully with their sole male relative at their side.
    Aline was the more composed of the two Devereauxs, but into the quiet she said, “It’s a sad day when a single invitation can cause such a stir in you, sister. We don’t get out enough.”
    April jutted her chin. “Not a stir. But you must admit, a party would be a pleasant change.”
    Aline fixed her stare on Merry. “Perhaps we should attend. I think it is time you were introduced to American society, Merry. After all, you are mistress of Winderly now.”
    The hopeful glint in the sisters’ eyes made Merry suddenly see the Devereauxs in a new way. Why they’re not old at all , she thought. Her gaze took note of their slim forms and smooth faces. She couldn’t imagine why she had thought them old. They were no more than a handful of years older than she,