Straw in the Wind by Janet Woods Read Free Book Online

her that she was doing no such thing.
    Charlotte, who had lighter hair and similar features, but who lacked the fine bones of her sister, laughed. ‘That was really too bad of you, Marianne. I could hardly keep a straight face. She’ll rush to buy that case to prevent Mrs Phipps from having it.’
    â€˜Oh, I’m counting on it. Nick ordered several of them. Miss Stanhope always gets into an absolute froth when we run into each other. It’s something to do with the fact that she was revealed as the gossiping creature she is after Nick returned home and she was proved wrong over some rumour she started.’
    Charlotte’s face reflected some private inner anguish as she reminded Marianne, ‘Nick put me in my place too, but at least he let me off lightly.’
    â€˜That’s different. You’re my sister and I expect you to jump to the wrong conclusion because you practically brought me up, and you always have. We’ve spent half of our lives quarrelling and making up again. Char, you know I love you dearly.’
    Celia was aware of the earlier love triangle with Nick Thornton, the one that had caused a serious rift between the sisters. But it was all over now.
    Marianne’s quick smile came. ‘Lor, I’m so bad mannered. This is Celia, Adam’s sister; aren’t they alike? I wish I was a little taller like you, Celia; height is so elegant, don’t you think so, Charlotte?’
    â€˜Yes, indeed. I’m so happy to meet you at long last, Miss Chapman. Adam has spoken of you often. May I call you Celia?’
    â€˜Of course you may. I’m led to believe that you don’t stand on ceremony, so I shall use your first names in return if you don’t mind.’
    â€˜We were very grateful for Adam’s help in finding our dear stepson last year, you know.’
    â€˜Adam doesn’t usually become personally involved, but in your stepson’s case he felt partly responsible for the worry he caused you, and for John’s disappearance. It was a pity that the boy’s grandfather died before he could get to know him well, but at least he got to meet him.’
    â€˜He did, indeed.’
    â€˜Oh, there’s Aunt Daisy and the Reverend Phipps.’ Marianne waved to them. ‘They look so happy now they’ve finally wed, and they didn’t tell anyone; they just got a special licence from his bishop, and said the words in front of the altar.’
    â€˜Hurried marriages must be a Thornton family trait,’ Charlotte said darkly, but with laughter in her voice.
    â€˜Hah! What about you and Seth? You proposed to him about an hour after you met and you didn’t even tell me what you had in mind, you hussy.’
    Charlotte gazed to where a man with an upright bearing was talking to Adam. When he caught her eye and smiled, her face as well as her voice softened. ‘Seth was the best idea I’ve ever had.’
    Although Celia smiled, envy stabbed at her. To have a man look at her in such a warm and tender manner would be wonderful. Being with these two beautiful sisters made her feel all the more ordinary, and they didn’t seem to be in the least aware of their fortunate looks. But then, neither did they seem to be aware of her indifferent ones.
    Her mother had formed a close friendship with the lawyer, Edgar Wyvern, and it now seemed inevitable that their relationship would develop into something more. If Adam married, which he probably would one day, she would come second to his wife and children. She didn’t think there would be much call for female clerks. So who would support her then?
    â€˜The mayor is shaking hands with the people outside,’ Charlotte said to Marianne. ‘You’d better go and join Nick. He’s already got the beginnings of a frown on his face and is looking around for you. I’ll take care of Celia.’
    â€˜I’m sure I’ll think of something to put him back in a good