Midsummer Eve at Rookery End by Elizabeth Hanbury Read Free Book Online Page A

all my letters were returned unopened. I considered trying to see you, but when I received no word at all, not even an explanation, I assumed you had undergone a change of heart. I realize now the letters must have been intercepted by your maid under Lady King’s instructions. If you recall, you had just passed your twenty-first birthday, Deborah; your aunt could no longer forbid us to marry, but we had arranged to wed in secret anyway. Having discovered our intentions, she clearly found another way to scupper our plans. She ruined our lives with this heinous act!”
    “I wrote to you too, through Mary,” she admitted in an anguished voice. “I should have realized you were too honourable to have abandoned me, particularly when Mary’s treachery came to light, but I had been hurt so much.” Deborah closed her eyes briefly. “Every time one of my letters to you came back unopened, I died a little inside.”
    He came towards her, his gaze locked on her face. “I felt the same. I loved and hated you in equal measure, something I didn’t think possible. I tried to forget you but I couldn’t. Secretly, I dreaded reading about your marriage, even though I told myself you were heartless and I was well rid of you. Forgive me, Deb! I have wronged you greatly – you were nothing of the kind – but it was easier for me to think the worst of you than to dwell on what I had lost. Oh God, so much heartache and wasted time!” Benedict groaned and, grasping her shoulders, he added in a choked, urgent whisper, “Is it too late? Has fate given us another chance by bringing us together this summer night? I never stopped loving you … I still love you with an intensity that frightens me, but perhaps there is someone else in your life now–”
    Deborah shook her head, a smile trembling on her lips as she reached up to caress the lock of hair that had fallen across his brow. “There has only ever been you, Benedict. I received several offers of marriage, but I could never forget the way we loved each other once and I was unwilling to settle for less. When I saw you earlier, I knew in my heart that I loved you still.”
    A long, shuddering breath escaped him.
    Gazing into her eyes, he wiped away the tear trickling down her cheek. Then, he dragged her into a crushing embrace, burying his face in her hair and savouring the feel of her body next to his. His arms tightened around her and he sighed deeply.
    “The past is done. The future – our future – starts here, my darling,” he murmured, his voice wavering with emotion.
    When Deborah’s sobs had at last abated, he whispered into her ear. In reply, she smiled and lifted up her face to welcome the covetous way his lips claimed hers. His hands slid over her body and his kiss deepened. Warm and sensuous, his mouth plundered hers with tender desperation until Deborah was left breathless and shivering with desire.
    “I love you,” he repeated softly against her lips. “I love you so much.”
    Aware of the fierce tremor that ran through him as he uttered these words, Deborah twined her arms around his neck and kissed him back with all the ardour years of longing could evoke.

-4-
     
     
     
     
    “Quickly, my lord,” urged Charlotte, as she hurried towards the conservatory. “Oh, I hope that creature has not upset Deb while I have been away soliciting your help!”
    Lord Allingham, following with a quizzical look on his handsome features, replied in some amusement, “My dear Miss Tonbridge, if he has, do you expect me to call Catesby out? I must say I find the notion unappealing. He’s a deuced fine shot for one thing. For another, my wife would be displeased if I were to challenge one of our guests to a duel. Shocking bad ton , you know.”
    “Well, no, of course not, Lord Allingham. N-Not exactly,” she stammered, in blushing confusion. “How can I explain? Well, let me say this: because of things that happened in the past, Deborah has a particular desire to avoid Sir