Snowbound With the Notorious Rake by Sarah Mallory Read Free Book Online Page B

horse slipped on the ice and threw him. He broke his neck.’
    She did not add that he was returning from a tryst with his current mistress. Everyone in Exford might know the truth, but there was no reason she should admit it to this stranger.
    ‘I am very sorry.’
    She shrugged as if to evade his sympathy.
    ‘It was four years ago. We have managed very wellsince then.’ She added brightly, ‘And now we have Magnus.’
    ‘Magnus?’
    ‘Magnus Emsleigh. He is a shipping merchant and owns a substantial property just outside Mersecombe. He is a pillar of the local society. An excellent example for my son to follow.’
    ‘And does he wish to become Sam’s father? Ah. I can see by your look that that is the case. Why have you not mentioned him before?’
    Rose had wondered that herself. Surely to tell Sir Lawrence that she was betrothed to a wealthy, respected local gentleman would have added to her consequence. It was not a love match, but a prudent arrangement, designed to provide security for her and for Sam. It now occurred to Rose that she was reluctant to admit, even to herself, that she was soon to marry Magnus Emsleigh.
    He spoke again, saying lightly, ‘Have you set a date?’
    ‘Lady Day.’ She pushed a slice of chicken around on her plate. ‘Magnus has no experience of children. Sometimes Sam can be…difficult.’
    Lawrence sat back, his fingers playing with the stem of his wineglass. He remembered his own stepfather, a deeply religious man whose repressive regime of sermons and beatings had only made a spirited young boy even more determined to rebel.
    ‘It can be hard for a young boy to accept another man in the house. It will take time and patience.’
    ‘Yes,’ she nodded eagerly. ‘That is what I have told Magnus.’
    Lawrence took a sip of his wine.
    ‘But what is this pillar of society thinking of, to let you ride unattended in such weather?’
    She put up her chin at that.
    ‘He is not my keeper. I will not allow him to dictate to me.’ Lawrence’s brows went up and she added, ‘Besides, he is in Bath at present and does not know what I am about.’
    Rose turned her attention to her plate and Lawrence took the opportunity to study her. She looked absurdly young in her borrowed dressing gown, but it did nothing to hide her charms. The belt was pulled tight around her tiny waist and accentuated the full, rounded swell of her bosom. The ordered ringlets of yesterday had given way to more natural curls that she had caught back from her face with a wide ribbon, and her cheeks were still delicately flushed from her endeavours in the kitchen.
    ‘I applaud your wish for independence, Mrs Westerhill, but I pity your suitor.’
    He thought she might blush at that, but she surprised him by chuckling.
    ‘Poor Magnus. He thinks I am not capable of managing my own affairs and he is eager to relieve me of all my burdens. As if I had any! My meagre savings require little effort and, no matter what I say, I cannot persuade him that Sam is not a burden! Magnus is a dear, but he is inclined to lecture me and I get quite cross with him sometimes—’ She broke off. ‘I beg your pardon. I should not be telling you all this.’
    ‘You may tell me whatever you wish. In fact—’ He stopped, slightly alarmed to discover that he wanted to know everything about her. He got up to throwmore logs on the fire. He must be careful; this woman was getting under his skin. He enjoyed her company, enjoyed teasing her, watching the delicate colour mantle her cheek, but she was not of his world. The seduction of a respectable schoolteacher was not something he wanted on his conscience.
    When he looked up again she had walked to the window and pushed apart the curtains.
    ‘We have had more snow this evening. It has stopped now and the moon is rising. Do come and look, it is almost as bright as day.’ She glanced over when he came to stand beside her. ‘Is it not beautiful?’
    Almost as beautiful as you.
    The words were