Lady Star by Claudy Conn Read Free Book Online

beyond her control. He
did not want to be touched by this, but somehow he found that he
was. Ah bah! Maudlin thoughts would only serve to draw him
in where he did not wish to go.
    However, the chit was remarkable. She had a
lively sense of humor, which he had detected earlier when she had
thrown out a sarcastic remark. She had noted that he appeared bored
and in her delicate way had called him out on it. He liked that.
Also to her credit were her dark eyes. They were exceptionally
large, almond shaped and thickly lashed. Dancing white lights were
alive with laughter in their dark depths and when she smiled. What
the hell was he doing? She was hardly a woman.
    Still, she was twenty and she had a quiet
grace about herself. Not a long Peg and yet quite tall enough, but
she was, in spite of her lovely curves, too thin. What did Jules
want with an impish woman? Those sorts were always trouble. Besides
all that, why was he thinking about her? It was Jules that wanted
her and Jules was a grown man. It was not for him to worry
about.
    A groom came forward and Jules said, “Thank
you, Jeffries. Will you see to it they are both watered?” He then
turned and heartily slapped his friend on the shoulder and said,
“Very well, why do you look so dour? Tell me and have done.”
    “If you must know, I am concerned. She is not
in your usual style, Jules. You must see that?”
    “Yes, perhaps that may be true, but see where
my ‘usual style’ as you put it, got me. Going for something
different this time.”
    They crossed the cobbled courtyard and took
the wide stone steps to the front door of the Georgian styled home.
An elderly retainer opened it wide and stepped aside for them to
enter. They dropped their top hats and gloves onto the round center
table in the central hall and followed Bankes, the butler, and
‘Cooks’ husband, as he led them down a wide corridor. Its walls
were lined with what Edward assumed were family portraits. The
butler whom Jules called Bankes, opened a set of double doors and
once again, stepped aside to allow them to enter, before he quietly
withdrew.
    It was summer and there was no great need for
a fire, but Edward felt the chill in the house, all the same and
shook off the cold as he looked around at upholstery that needed
repairs. “Fallen on hard times, have they?”
    Jules had moved to the window overlooking
roses in full bloom. “Indeed…they have.”
    “You mean to set things right by marrying
this chit?”
    “Well, I…well… we don’t know one another well
enough. I haven’t thought that far… not yet,” Jules
hemmed.
    Sir Edward snorted a laugh. “I see.”
    “No, you don’t see. It would be
presumptuous of me. She is a rare flower. She needs delicate
courtship and understanding. I don’t want to charge in on her. You
must see that?”
    “What I see is…”
    The sound of rustling skirts stopped any
further discussion as both men turned to find a beauty with short
flaxen hair brushed into a glorious windswept style. She wore a
cool blue muslin gown with a high waist line and an A frame that
hugged her as she walked. She was of good height, quite graceful
and incredibly enchanting. Sir Edward’s jaw dropped as he felt his
heartbeat quicken. Gone was the hoyden and in her place was an
exquisite beauty.

Chapter
Five
     
    MADISON LANDS WERE extensive, richly
irrigated and wisely cultivated. Its tenants prospered because its
landlord’s interests had always centered on his estates. Not for
Thomas Madison the lures of London, the temptation of the gaming
tables, or the promise of speculation in industry.
    Rumors had always flown that Mr. Madison’s
roots were less than noble, that in fact, his great-grandfather had
been a mill owner in the North and his original money had come from
this source. It was certainly possible, for the Madison family had
only been installed at the manor for some forty years.
    More than once, the late Lord Francis Berkley
had gazed at his neighbor’s lands