The Folly by Irina Shapiro Read Free Book Online

for his refusal?  Any sane man would be happy to welcome his son home.  Henry had to do the right thing in front of Elizabeth and his friends and neighbors , and he would bite the bullet and pretend the ball was a splendid idea.  His reaction to Jeremy’s return hadn ’ t been one he was proud of , and this would help ease the tension between them.  He hoped beyond hope that Jeremy would soon tire of country life and leave on his own, preferably before Elizabeth found a way into his bed.
    Henry knew that Jeremy had survived the war and would return at some point, but he ’ d been taken by surprise when he saw him walking across the lawn with Elizabeth .  He hadn’t seen him in years , and the boy who had left had been replaced by a tall, powerfully built man who exuded an air of self- possession and masculinity.  Having him share a house with his nineteen - year - old wife was a recipe for disaster, leaving Henry fuming with the helplessness of his position.  Maybe it would be a good idea to send Elizabeth to visit his sister, Rosamunde , for a while once she got back from India .  True, people normally left the city during the summer to escape the heat, but Elizabeth would be only too happy to get away from Flynn Manor for a little while.  She was always complaining about not going into town enough.  He would speak to Rosamunde once she arrived , and see if she would be willing to take Elizabeth back with her after the ball.
     

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Jeremy sent the valet away, preferring to undress himself.  He had a man in the army who saw to his needs, but he hated sharing a valet with his father.  Jeremy pulled his shirt over his head, nearly tearing it , and threw it on the bed.  He attributed his agitation to seeing his father, but deep down , he knew that wasn’t the only reason.  Sir Henry’s reaction to seeing him had not been unexpected, although he did hope for a slightly warmer reception.  He knew the old man was baiting him , and he fell right into the trap.  No one could accuse him of being a coward, certainly not his father, who ’ d never seen a battlefield in his life.  Of course, the fact that he was walking with his father’s young wife, who happened to look adorably disheveled after their stroll, didn’t help matters.  Sir Henry was no fool , and must have spotted the wet hem of Elizabeth’s dress and the sand on Jeremy’s boots.
    Jeremy pulled off his boots and set them neatly by the bed, despite wanting to kick them across the room.  The military had taught him discipline , and not even his fury could overcome his need for order.  Being in the Light Dragoons had also taught him to think clearly , and he didn’t like what he was thinking one bit.  He ’ d tried to avoid his beautiful stepmother for days, but seeing her standing alone by the lake broke his resolve to stay away.  He meant only to make polite conversation, but her shyness prompted him to compliment her painting and ask her to join him for a walk.  The mere fact that he felt drawn to her was all the reason he needed to stay away, but he couldn’t help himself. 
    To make matters worse, he actually confided his thoughts to her, which is something he hadn’t done in years.  Jeremy had schooled himself to keep his feelings to himself , and blurting things out to her on the beach had shocked him nearly as much as it probably shocked her.  Seeing the sympathy in her amber eyes prompted him to go on .  She seemed to genuinely want to hear what he had to say , and he kept talking, despite his instincts screaming at him to be quiet. 
    Jeremy walked over to the window and gazed out over the manicured lawn , still angry .  He nearly kicked himself when he made that comment about not remaining an only child for long.  He saw her face turn scarlet at the implication and nearly bit his tongue off.  What had he been thinking?  He ’ d been at Flynn Manor for only a few days and already he felt unsettled and