Love's Way by Joan Smith Read Free Book Online

hear Gamble putting the blocks to Edward. “May I know how you would propose to support her?” he demanded in a hatefully toplofty tone. Had Edward finally made up his mind then, and spoken of a definite attachment?
    As my brother uttered no reply to the question, I stepped into the breach. “Emily will be down shortly. She has decided to go home and see her aunt, Edward,” I told him in a voice full of indifference.
    Not to be put off with this news, Gamble continued staring at my brother. “I repeat, I doubt very much that you are able to support her in the manner to which she is accustomed.” A scathing flicker of his eyes darted about our saloon, then returned to their prime target.
    And still Edward, the clunch, stood with his tongue between his teeth. It was not to be borne. “I hope not indeed, sir,” I shot back angrily, “for what she is accustomed to is living in pretentious squalor. I cannot think it has added much to her comfort to have a bailiff underfoot either.” It is really quite horrid, being an older sister. Nature’s impulses are all reversed, with the female having to protect the male (and looking a perfect shrew into the bargain. Not that I cared what our guest thought of me personally.)
    “How tedious life in Grasmere has become if malicious gossip is the chief pastime. Tell me, Miss Barwick, would my cousin share the mistress-ship of the house with yourself?”
    “Yes.”
    “How delightful for her,” he said ironically.
    “We rub along very well together I assure you.”
    “I have heard from her father that Emily has the disposition of a saint. He did not mention any tendency to martyrdom.”
    As the gloves were now off, I did not hesitate a minute to reply, “We all know well enough Lord Carnforth is never perfectly aware of what passes in the world.”
    “I should think not indeed, if he has given this misalliance his sanction. Odd he did not mention it.”
    “Nothing is settled. It is just an idea ...” Edward began in a placating way. He had no sensitivity for handling people. A firm line was the only way with the likes of Gamble. Already I knew that much about the man. If you give a bully any notion of weakness, he will only press the point harder.
    Emily came tripping lightly into the middle of the battlefield, to make her curtsey to her cousin. I must say she showed him a very charming smile, for a young lady who had done nothing but complain for the past twenty-four hours and more. “Is Aunt Hennie really at home?” she asked, a breathless quality in her voice showing her excitement. Her colour, perhaps, was a little high as well.
    “Certainly she is, my dear,” he answered in a voice as soft as velvet. Even those flashing black eyes had softened. The crackle was gone from the air. There was some tenderness in Gamble’s regard as he smiled at Emily. It was difficult to see why she had ever been frightened of him, unless he was acting for our, or her, benefit. I shall admit the full depths of my own suspicious nature and state at once I also wondered whether she had not exaggerated the affair out of all proportion to push Edward into a firm offer.
    “When did she come?” Emily asked.
    “I went to Windermere and fetched her this afternoon. You were a very naughty girl, you know, to go slipping out of the house without telling us. Your father and I were worried about you.” He wagged his finger at her playfully. She blushed a shade pinker and smiled up through her lashes at him. If she was not that minute trying to incite Edward into a fit of jet black jealousy, I would have been much surprised.
    “I’m sorry, Cousin,” she said.
    Edward looked from one to the other of them in confusion. I would have given an ear to know what tales she had been telling him of her cousin. Really it was enough to make one wonder what she was up to. A few more teasing remarks passed between the two of them, while I stood watching, my stomach turning with disgust. Yet one could not but