His Shadowed Heart ((Books We Love Regency Romance)) by Hazel Statham Read Free Book Online Page A

abruptly. Had it been something she had inadvertently said? She went over the conversation in her mind but could find nothing that she could suspect of having offended him.
    Eventually, she undressed and got into the large canopied bed, but repose would not come and she lay awake listening to the noises of the house. She heard a distant clock chiming the hour of one and saw the light of a candle pass beneath her door. The sound of the door to the adjoining room closing told her that her husband had also retired. She knew the connecting door would not open.
     
    *****
     
    Her bedchamber door being unceremoniously thrust open and a small whirlwind depositing herself onto the bed awoke Caroline the following morning. In the confusion of the moment, she did not see the tall dark figure of the earl following in his daughter’s wake.
    She hugged Julia to her and allowed her to scramble unchallenged under the covers beside her, delighted that the child would seek her out.
    “I see my daughter does not stand on ceremony with you, my dear,” the earl said in a pleasant tone.
    She started at the sound of his voice, noticing him for the first time. He was dressed for riding and standing in the doorway, he appeared more imposing than ever.
    He noticed her reserve at his appearance and felt a pang of guilt. “Do you ride?” he asked. He came further into the room and closed the door behind him against the curious gaze of my lady’s maid. “You must forgive me, my dear, but even though we have married, there is still much I need to learn about you. Do you care to ride?”
    “Yes, sir,” replied Caroline, grateful for the distraction. “Though I have not ridden since I lived with my father.”
    “Have you a habit?”
    “Yes, but ’tis terribly out of fashion.”
    “Then that will do for today, you may order what you will at a later time. I asked my agent to procure a mount for you and I believe he has found a suitable mare. Would you give me the pleasure of riding out with me this morning and perhaps I can show you over the estate?”
    She nodded her agreement, unable to find the words, so relieved was she at his change of mood.
    “Good, then I will await you in the breakfast room and when you are nourished we can commence our ride.”
    “Can I come?” asked a little voice from beneath the bedclothes.
    “Of course you can imp, when you are a little more grown,” he replied, chuckling. “Until then, be satisfied with your rocking horse. Now out with you and let your new mamma get dressed. I am impatient to show her over her new domain.”
    “I stay,” declared the little voice once more, still burrowing in the warmth of the bed.
    He went to retrieve her but Caroline pleaded her cause. “Let her stay. Unless you have any objection, I would keep her with me.”
    He smiled indulgently and made for the door. “If she provokes you, call for her nurse. Now do not tarry, I’m not known for my patience.”
     
    *****
     
    The Waverly estate was extensive, its boundaries stretching for mile upon mile of fertile land and they drew rein atop a hill that overlooked the house and its grounds.
    “What think you of your new home?” the earl asked, turning in the saddle to face his young bride. “Does it please you?”
    “Of a certainty, sir, how could it not?” Caroline replied, smiling her approbation. “It is magnificent. Now I know why you show such evident pride in it.”
    “Is it so obvious?” he queried. “Yes, I suppose it must be! You are right—I am proud of it, very proud and I’m glad it finds favor in your eyes and hope you will come to love it as do I.”
    “I’m sure that I shall, though at the moment it overawes me.”
    “It need not, my dear. There is nothing here to intimidate you.”
    Only Elizabeth , she thought, for she had felt that everyone she met was comparing her to his previous wife. The servants even feeling the need to prefix their replies to her requests with “Her Ladyship always….”