The Kiss by Emma Shortt Read Free Book Online Page A

sort of spell and I imagined it all?
    “That poor girl,” Grace said again.
    But she said I’d suffer, that as the years passed I’d know.
    “She’s ruined now, completely ruined. The blacksmith’s son was
a-looking to court her, he won’t now. How could he? This is bound to get out
and the shame would be too much.”
    “They wouldn’t take any money,” Adam whispered. “I remember
that.” She said I’d feel her pain, the burning was not enough to do that. He
shook his head. “I didn’t think to ask about anything like that though. Maybe I
could talk to the boy if this does get out? Though I doubt Felton will be eager
to tell anyone.”
    “Yes, ye have to find some way to make it better, my Lord, it is
ye’re responsibility,” Grace said. “Ye’ll have to do something to ensure she
doesn’t suffer any more.”
    You know you bear the responsibility of this, boy. Adam
nodded, Grace only called him ‘my Lord’ when she wished to remind him of his
duties.“I will, Grace. I will.”
    “Granny will forgive ye in time Adam, in time it’ll be right. Ye
did’ne hurt the poor girl now did ye. Despite yer reckless ways and yer stupid
stunts ye’d never do anything like that.”
    “Not directly no, but this is my fault.” Adam picked up his cup
and took a sip of the tea. It did nothing to ease the chill and he shivered
under his blanket. Maybe I’m in shock too.
    Grace patted his hand. “We’ll make it better somehow. We’ve been
through worse have we, nay?”
    “Did you tell them all to leave?” he asked, changing the subject.
He wanted his house guests gone immediately. I’ll never hold another, those
days are finished.
    “They’re all a-packing now,” Grace replied. “All shocked, they’re
not a bad bunch save him . He’s nowhere to be seen.”
    “If he approaches the hall you tell me Grace, I’ll horsewhip him
again.”
    Grace shook her head. “Granny’ll deal with him in her own way
Adam. Ye need to rest.”
    “I don’t know if I can.” I’m so cold.
    “Ye’ll have to go back tomorrow, Adam. Offer help again, ye’ll
need your strength for that.”
    “I will Grace, you know I will. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
    “I’d better be seeing that yer guests get off okay. I’ll come
back in a little bit.”
    Adam nodded, watched her rise, and reached out impulsively to
grab her hand. “Thank you, Grace, not just for today but for the last years.” What
would he do without Grace and Finn? The two of them were everything to him, had
saved him from himself more times than he could count. Both in their mid
thirties they’d been with him long before the older Lord Winterwood died.
    Grace smiled and when she did her face changed somehow, became
beautiful and youthful all over again. “What else would I be doing with meself,
eh?”
    The moment Grace left the chill in the room increased and Adam
wrapped the blanket tighter around himself. I’m so cold.
    He lifted his gaze to his Papa’s portrait and felt a tear prick
his eyes. Every reckless, dissipated action he’d taken over the years was
coursing through him. A thousand memories all fighting for space and the very
pinnacle of them all was Evie, that poor scrap of a girl. “I’m so sorry, Papa.
I’ve let you down, I’ve let everyone down. Why the hell didn’t I realize what
an idiot I’ve been this last decade?”
    The stern gaze of his beloved parent appraised him without
feeling. “I’m so sorry,” Adam repeated. “I’ll make it better I promise. I’ll
give Evie something to make things better and beg Granny’s forgiveness. I’ll
turn things around, take my rightful place as the Earl and look after my
responsibilities. I’ll do my duty.”
    As always, Adam’s Papa did not reply.
    “Though I deserve it, I hope to God this is over, that she’s had
her revenge.” Adam whispered but the chill did not subside, the memories did
not recede and Adam couldn’t help but feel that the worst was yet to