Love's Abyss (St. John Series) by Lora Thomas Read Free Book Online Page A

on him.
    “Wooooo,” came the voice of the driver bringing Andrew back from his thoughts.
    Madison had a wonderful time at the ball. She and Andrew danced the majority of the night. He wooed her with charming tales of the sea and the adventures he had. She laughed so hard and had such a wonderful time that night. He had her eating up his lies with each exaggerated tale.
    He courted her for the next two months before he came to the conclusion it was time for him to propose. He needed to be unpredictable with it. A devious smile came to his face. He quickly penned a note and had it delivered to the St. John house.
     
    * * * *
     
     
    “You have a note, Lady Madison,” the butler informed her as he handed Madison a letter with the Commodore’s seal. She stopped playing the piano and took the note from the butler’s hand.
    “Who’s it from?” asked the nosy Miss Ruby.
    Madison glared at the nosy tutor who was knitting in the corner. She wanted to shout that it was none of her business, but instead she said, “The Commodore.” She opened the note, trying to hide her excitement, and read the words Andrew had written:
     
    My Dearest Madison,
     
    I know this is quite improper, but I need
    to speak with you alone. Meet me under
    the old oak tree by the stream in one hour.
     
    Your devoted admirer,
     
    Andrew
     
    “Well, what did he say?” question the nosy Ruby again.
    “Oh, nothing,” answered Madison. “He just said how he can’t wait to see me tomorrow evening.”
    “Hmmp,” remarked Ruby in disapproval. “Proper gentlemen do not send love notes.”
    Madison smiled weakly, took a purposefully slow breath and told the older woman, “I’m feeling a little tired, Miss Ruby. I believe I will take a nap. Did you say you had some errands you needed to attend to?”
    “Why, yes, I did. But they can wait. You shouldn’t be left alone. Improper it is.”
    “Oh, I’ll be fine. Besides, Cassandra is here, as well as the other servants. Go. There is no need for you to watch me sleep.”
    “Well, all right. I’ll return in one hour.” Miss Ruby laid down her knitting, grabbed her shawl and headed out the door.
    As soon as Ruby had reached the end of the drive, Madison raced out the back door towards the old oak tree with the swing on the back of her father’s property. The huge oak tree had been standing here for hundreds of years. Her father hung the swing when she was a little girl, only after some begging on her part. She smiled as she approached the swing, remembering the fun times she had there as a child.
    She sat down and floated back and forth allowing the wind to blow her hair. Closing her eyes, she felt the warmth of the sun on her face.
    She heard a noise coming from across the stream. A figure emerged. It was Andrew. Oh he was strikingly handsome in his navy blue coat and white trousers. He was wearing his traditional Commodore wig, and it lined his square jaw accordingly. There was a twinkle in his light brown eyes.
    “The most beautiful fairy in all the land,” he said in a charming voice.
    “Oh, Andrew,” Madison blushed.
    Walking towards Madison, he gently picked up her hand and guided her towards the bench beneath the tree. He pulled her down to the seat by the trunk of the tree, took a deep breath and began, “Thank you for coming. I know this is terribly improper, but there is something I need . . . no . . . I must discuss with you.”
    “What is it, Andrew?” she questioned with concern in her voice.  The request for this secret tête-à-tête had heightened her interest, causing her heart to beat quickly. She couldn’t take her eyes off his handsome face.
    “Well, Madison . . . you know how I feel about you. I can’t imagine my life without you,” lied Andrew sweetly, trying to sound desperate. “I was planning to ask your father for your hand, but needed to know if you would have me first.”
    “Oh Andrew!” She placed her hand over her heart.
    “If you