Glorious Angel by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page B

cut in, frightened of what he was going to say. “I can work this farm by myself. I’ve helped Pa since before I can remember. I’m stronger than I look, really I am.”
    “What on earth can you be thinking of, child? I can’t let you stay on this farm by yourself,” Jacob exclaimed in surprise, shaking his head.
    “But I—”
    Jacob held up his hand to stop her. “I will not hear another word about it. And don’t look so miserable, my dear. I was going to tell you, before you interrupted me, that I want you to come and live at Golden Oaks.”
    A look of pure disbelief spread across Angela’s features. “Why?”
    Jacob Maitland laughed then. “Let’s just say I feel responsible for you. After all, I’ve known you all your life, Angela. I waited with William Sherrington while your mother was giving birth to you. And I want to help you.”
    “But what about your family? And you got so many servants livin’ in your house now.”
    “Nonsense,” he replied. “The servants don’t live in the house, child. And my family will welcome you. Have no fear about that.”

    “If you ain’t the nicest man I ever did know!” Angela said, tears coming to her eyes again.
    “Then it’s settled, my dear. I’ll leave you here to pack your belongings, and I’ll send the carriage back for you in a couple of hours.”

Eight
    Angela was sure she had dreamed her meeting with Jacob Maitland. But two hours later, the shiny new black carriage came for her, and she knew it was true. She was going to Golden Oaks.
    The only thing she could think about on that short mile ride to her new home was that she would now be closer to Bradford Maitland. She had never outgrown her childhood infatuation. If anything, the seventeen-year-old Angela loved him more than she had at fourteen.
    Hannah had told her that Bradford was no longer in the army, but he was still up North running Maitland Enterprises in New York. Zachary was home, though, sent back from the war late in ’62 with a leg injury. He had promptly married Miss Crystal Lonsdale, and they were both living at Golden Oaks now.

    Angela recalled the first time she had ever seen Golden Oaks, ten years ago, when Jacob Maitland’s wife died. Her father had gone to pay his respects, and Angela tagged along. And then there were the many times when her father brought a share of his crop to the Maitlands’ storage house, and in the recent years, she always went with him. But she had never before been inside the huge mansion. And now she would work there!
    Angela didn’t feel belittled by being a servant. Working in that fine house would be much easier than working a farm. Being a Maitland servant, she would see Bradford often when he came home. And even though he could never return her love, she would be near him, and that was all that mattered.
    The carriage pulled up to the front of the house and Angela stared up at the eight huge Doric columns that lined the wide front gallery. But then her eyes were drawn to someone looking out of an upstairs window. The curtains were quickly drawn shut, making Angela feel uneasy. Who had been watching her arrival?
    “Well, Angela, welcome to Golden Oaks,” Jacob Maitland said as he came out to greet her.
    “Thank you, sir,” Angela returned with a shy smile, but then her violet eyes brightened and she relaxed when Hannah appeared on the gallery behind Jacob.
    “Missy Angela, I is sure glad you agreed tocome here to live!” Hannah cried with her usual exuberance. “I was right sorry to hear ’bout your papa, but I’s mighty relieved to know you gonna be taken care of.”
    “Mr. Maitland has been very kind.”
    “Angela, please, I want you to call me Jacob. After all, we’re old friends.”
    “All right, sir—I mean, Jacob.”
    “That’s much better.” Jacob smiled warmly. “Hannah will show you to your room. And Hannah, don’t you go tiring her out with your chattering. Angela has had a trying morning, and I want her to rest for