The Flight of Swallows by Audrey Howard Read Free Book Online Page A

in his opinion, still a child. ‘Though I believe a glass of champagne would be in order as this is a celebration to introduce her new mother into the family.’ He smiled ironically and Elizabeth smirked.
    Brooke restrained himself from taking Charlotte’s hand which was clenched in her lap beneath the table. She flushed, more, she realised, in temper than embarrassment. Although she had been included in this special day, her father seemed determined to show her up, to mortify her and she did not know why. He had always been harsh in his treatment of his children but she could see that the guests were somewhat puzzled by his behaviour.
    ‘Will you be walking tomorrow, Miss Drummond?’ the man beside her asked quietly, watching Drummond in an attempt to work out what he was up to. He was deliberately slighting his daughter for some reason, smiling as he sipped his champagne, and it suddenly occurred to him that the man was jealous. Jealous. He knew he had to let his lovely daughter go, give her to some man in marriage. And Brooke had asked for her. She would belong to another man and no longer be Arthur Drummond’s to do with as he pleased as daughters were in their society. She had been brought up to the realisation that she would marry, have children, run some gentleman’s home and though he accepted that, he didn’t like it! He didn’t like it! He was not in love with Elizabeth Parker. Lusted after her, true, but Charlotte meant something more to him than merely a daughter. Brooke felt his skin crawl wondering what went on in this house and at that moment made up his mind that he would marry this young woman at the earliest opportunity. Get her away from the curious relationship that he sensed lay in the father. He had never cared for Drummond though he knew their friends and acquaintances thought him a hell of a good fellow. A good shot, a superb horseman, a wonderful host, amusing always, but there was something strange in the way he kept his eyes on his daughter. He saw that Elizabeth had noticed it and he watched as her eyes grew cold and her mouth thinned, then she laughed at something the man beside her said to her and the moment was gone. He would seek out Charlotte, woo her, he supposed, and marry her the first bloody moment he could.
    ‘Pardon?’ her flushed face turned to him.
    ‘I wondered if you would be in the wood tomorrow. I would suggest a gallop but I know you don’t ride.’ And I intend to rectify that as soon as you are mine.
    ‘Well, I hadn’t planned to, but if . . .’
    ‘I have something for you . . . and your brothers, of course,’ he added hastily, for her face had clouded over as he spoke. Young ladies did not receive gifts from young single gentlemen unless it might be a posy or something equally innocuous.
    ‘Really!’ She smiled that wide and brilliant smile he was becoming familiar with.
    ‘Really. I shall be taking my dogs out about eleven. They like to have a good run and I usually manage an hour. I wish you had a horse, Miss Drummond. I should like to show you – and your brothers, of course – some of my land. I’m sure my tenants would—’ He stopped speaking in horror, for he had been about to say he was sure his tenants would love to meet her, knowing they would at once realise that this young woman was special to their landlord and what he would have in mind for someone special in his life.
    ‘Yes, Mr Armstrong? Would what?’ Charlotte was aware that her father was watching her and a dreadful fear dribbled through her veins. Dear God . . . oh, dear God, if only she could; but if she left where would she go and what would become of Henry, of William, John, James and Robbie?
    ‘Mrs Emmerson at Fuller’s Farm makes the best cowslip wine in the county and the best plum cake and she would be made up, as they say in the north, if you would sample them.’
    ‘Does she live far from Seven Cows Wood, Mr Armstrong?’ She took a spoonful of strawberry ice