Regency Romance: The Rake's Fake Marriage (Historical Arranged Marriage Romance) (19th Century Victorian Romance) by Sarah Thorn Read Free Book Online Page B

Before I had Kyle to care for, I was out here helping him all the time. I assume you aren’t used to working on a farm?”
    Elizabeth shook her head, setting a cloth soaked in water on her head. “No. I came from a wealthy family. We…did n’t work like this.”
    “Oh you had someone else doing that for you, did you?” Barbara asked. When Elizabeth looked at her through narrowed eyes, she raised her eyebrows. “I mean no offense, Elizabeth. I just know that wealthy people often have gardeners and housekeepers and such.”
    Elizabeth closed her eyes and laid her head back to rest her neck. “Yes. We had a gardener and a housekeeper . We had a buggy driver and a groundskeeper. We lived in a large house.”
    Barbara nodded. “It is a shame you weren’t able to keep that lifestyle.”
    “I was very used to it.”
    “I know that Tyler is anxious for you to be comfortable here. I think he likes you very much.”
    “He is very nice.”
    Barbara smiled at her. “Do you like him?”
    Elizabeth paused before answering, thinking about Tyler. She did like him. He was very strong and handsome. He was never cross with her and always tried to help her with everything they had to do. He had made dinner for her both Monday and Tuesday. She had made his breakfast Tuesday and that morning. They ate sandwiches for lunch, preparing each their own.
    “He compliments you?” Barbara asked. Elizabeth looked at her.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Does he tell you that you’re pretty?”
    Elizabeth blushed. “He has said that, yes.”
    “And what do you say?”
    “I say thank you.”
    “Do you compliment him back?”
    Elizabeth’s blush deepened. She shook her head slightly.
    “Oh, Elizabeth. You are going to stay and marry him, aren’t you? I know he wants you to. You should compliment him. There must be things you like about him.”
    “There is. I do.”
    “Then tell him. You are planning to stay?”
    Elizabeth sighed. She had nowhere to go. She wasn’t prepared for the kind of work Tyler expected her to do. “I have to stay. I don’t have anywhere to go.” She said bluntly. When Barbara didn’t respond, she looked up at her. The woman had lost her smile and looked sad.
    “You are only staying because you have nowhere to go?”
    “That’s not the only reason.” Elizabeth was quick to say, ashamed that she had been rude. “I do like Tyler. I will tell him…compliment him. I will.”
    Barbara sighed and smiled at her. “That’s wonderful, Elizabeth. You are a beautiful and nice person. I’m glad you came to be with Tyler. He was very lonely.”
    Elizabeth knew the feeling. She felt alone most of the time, at least, she had until just this week.
    “He’s a good man, isn’t he?” She said in a soft voice, watching as he approached on his horse.
    Barbara smiled, pleased with the look she saw on Elizabeth’s face when she looked at Tyler. “Yes, honey, he certainly is.”
     
    The next week, Elizabeth woke to the sound of knocking and movement outside her door. She wondered what time it was. The moon was still shining in the sky, casting some light into her room through the window. She was immediately awake and sitting up in her bed, fumbling on the nightstand for matches to light the candle so she could see. Once it was lit , she slid out of bed and moved quickly to the door. She could hear Tyler’s voice. He was upset, but his voice was low and anxious. She pulled open the door and stepped out into the hallway.
    Tyler and Jake were moving about in the den. The door was ajar, and she pushed it open to see what they were doing. Tyler looked up at her as he pulled on one of his boots.
    “I’m sorry to wake you up, Elizabeth. Something’s happened to Barbara and Jerry. I have to go see what’s going on.”
    “Do you want me to come with you?”
    He didn’t respond right away. He did want her to go with him, just because he wanted her company. But he didn’t want to put undue pressure on her, either. He