The Headmistress of Rosemere by Sarah E Ladd Read Free Book Online Page B

you.”
    Disappointment battled optimism. William had hoped that Bley would agree to purchase the foal or at least give a strong indication of his intention. He needed money. Quickly. But he knew Bley’s type. He would have to wait until the idea struck the man’s fancy.
    And wait he would.

5
     
    W illiam had never seen such green eyes.
    At least he was almost certain he recalled seeing green eyes.
    He thought about the unexpected Miss Creighton as he steered Angus down the worn path from Eastmore to Rosemere—just as he had during many of the waking moments that filled the two days since he saw her last. The snow had melted in the afternoon’s weak sunlight, and even at their slow pace, mud splashed on his boots and Angus’s legs.
    William tightened the reins as a hare hopped onto the path. Angus seemed unusually skittish, but William could hardly blame him. The events after the encounter with Rafertee’s men were a blur. He possessed only a vague recollection of how he managed to get into the Rosemere stable and what transpired after, but gradually snippets returned. Hushed voices. A damp cloth. A thick black braid. A kind smile.
    Patience Creighton .
    Had he known such a lovely creature lived at Rosemere, he would have taken more interest in his tenant.
    Eastmore Hall had many tenants, but the relationship between Eastmore Hall and Rosemere was longstanding and unique. Most of Eastmore’s tenants were farmers. His family traditionally provided the tenants with a cottage, and in turn they would share profits from the harvest. But the terms with Rosemere had always been different. A massive dwelling in its own right, Rosemere had been built by his great-great grandfather as a gift for William’s grandmother upon her wedding. But over time the gray building had fallen into disrepair and was no longer needed by the family, so his father oversaw the repairs and let it to Edmund Creighton as a school. William’s father, who cared deeply about the success of his tenants, had taken great interest in the school’s growth and even funded projects. But since his death, the relationship had grown cold. As it stood, his steward had been the one to manage the lease, visiting periodically and seeing to necessary repairs and any problems that would arise. The Creightons had been model tenants, which kept them out of his affairs.
    But the recent event had changed that.
    He pulled Angus to a stop in front of the ornate iron fence that marked the grounds of the school.
    Rosemere was an impressive structure, with a three-story stone façade, a parapet lining the roof, and several ornate chimneys disappearing into the low-hanging, shifting clouds. Large mullioned windows flanked the aged doors.
    A sharp wind screeched through the bare elms guarding the gate. William hesitated. He could turn around and pretend the humiliating situation had never happened. Even if the inhabitants of Rosemere told every citizen of Darbury of his misadventure, what harm could come of it?
    A reputation once lost was lost forever .
    Or so his father used to warn.
    William doubted many people in Darbury knew the extent of his ruin, of his self-imposed misfortune, and if his recent difficulty had not reached them yet, it likely would not. With his steward gone, he needed to foster this relationship. Personally. The rent paid by the school was the most substantial he collected. He could not afford to lose the school as a tenant. Besides, by all propriety, he should thank Miss Creighton for the kindness she showed and smooth any ill will or dampen any misconceptions. And the sooner he got it over with, the better.
    William dismounted and pushed open the ancient gate, its hinges squeaking in protest. Whether it was the thickening clouds or the lateness of the hour, evening seemed to descend early, blanketing the ground with frigid purple light. Leafless shrubbery lining the drive caught on the folds of his caped greatcoat, and the wind, equally as intent,