The Apple Blossom Bower (Historical Romance Novella) by Margaret Evans Porter Read Free Book Online

But something had gone wrong between them, and until he knew exactly how to repair the damage he must not speak or act precipitously.
    Turning a deaf ear to Garth’s curses—climbing stairs was evidently a painful process—Edwin followed Annis outside. The sight of Pippin patiently cropping the grass in the forecourt reminded him of her visit’s purpose.
    “Which of my horses did you prefer?” he inquired.
    “The bay mare. The black was a touch too temperamental for my liking. The gray is too large for me, I think.”
    “They always want exercise,” he said. “You’ll come back tomorrow?”
    “No,” she said with crushing finality.
    Her inability to return his gaze confirmed that he had lost her favor altogether, though he couldn’t imagine how. Desperate to take her in his arms and kiss her into liking him again, he watched Pippin carry her down the long, tree-lined drive.
    He spent the remainder of the afternoon trying to amuse his friend, condemned by the local doctor to an invalid’s existence. Fretful and out of sorts, Garth was only interested in talking about his sister and clearly wished to send for her. Sending Garth back to Elizabeth would have suited Edwin better, for the time being that was impossible. Two or three days of bed rest, the doctor had said.
    Eventually the unwilling patient’s eyelids grew heavy, and he succumbed to sleep. Edwin crept thankfully out of the room.
    Preoccupied with the uncertain state of Annis Kelland’s mind and heart, he wanted to ride over to Orchard Place to investigate. He was prevented when his housekeeper sought him out to announce that Squire Dundridge had arrived and awaited him in the parlor.
    His neighbor’s grave expression warned him of trouble, and instinctively he knew it concerned Annis.
    “All the way to Harbourne I wondered if I did right by coming,” the squire began. “Now that I’m here, I’m even less eager to raise the question that brought me. But for Annis’ sake I must however awkward it may be for all concerned. Sir Edwin, my wife spoke very frankly about you this morning. From her I learned something I wish I’d known before I gave my stepdaughter leave to spend the day in your company.”
    Edwin regarded him stoically. “Exactly what did Mrs. Dundridge say to arouse concern?”
    “According to her, you kissed Annis during our harvest home. Now, I know perfectly well that a young fellow can kiss a pretty lass at party and not mean anything by it—especially after quaffing strong cider. I won’t berate you for that.”
    “Perhaps I deserve it,” Edwin conceded.
    “However,” continued the squire, “I do expect you to own up if ’twas merely a bit of sport, as my wife believes.”
    “No. Though I won’t deny that at the time I wasn’t completely certain of my intentions. For a variety of reasons, I couldn’t think clearly.”
    “And now?”
    He plunged ahead and committed himself. “I want Annis Kelland for my wife. I only wish I could be as sure that she’ll have me for her husband. From the night I first kissed her, she has resolutely avoided me.”
    The squire’s forbidding expression had softened considerably. “It was done on her mother’s advice.”
    “Perhaps I should present myself to Mrs. Dundridge—account for my past conduct, and admit the depth of my feelings for her daughter.”
     “Never fear, I’ll make everything right with Nancy.” Beaming his delight, the squire said, “The match has my approval, and I hope you succeed in persuading our Annis to wed you.”
    “I’ll give it my best effort, sir.”
    “Kisses are all very well,” the older man said sagely, “but sweet words wouldn’t go amiss. My pleading your cause to Annis can do no good. Her mother’s influence has ever been stronger than mine. And always will be,” he concluded in the regretful tone of voice he often employed when speaking of his stepdaughter. “How did she manage with your horses?”
    “She fancies my bay mare, a