The Letter by Sandra Owens Read Free Book Online

things to play with. But a rage had been slowly building at how easily his lordship had won Jamie over. He was her son, and now that Leo was gone, she didn’t want to share him with another man, especially this one.
    It wasn’t the toys that bothered her. His lordship had dropped out of the sky and, without a by-your-leave, taken control of their lives. She didn’t know why or what he wanted from her, but once again, she found herself at the mercy of a man. Was this to be her life?
    “Diana, look at me.”
    Used to obeying Leo’s demands, she looked up and sucked in a breath. She had forgotten how soft a man’s eyes could appear when filled with compassion. He lightly touched her arm with his fingers, but still, she winced. Words she had never before heard in polite company crossed his lips.
    “Bloody hell, what did my cousin do to you?”
    Did he have eleven years to hear it all? Because that was her answer, eleven years of living the unimaginable. The pity in his eyes was her undoing. She turned and ran out of the shop.
    Across the street was a small park and she headed straight for it. She came to a bench, fell down onto it, and buried her face in her hands. Through great effort, she did not cry. She hadn’t cried since the first time Leo had beat her, refusing to give him the satisfaction. Leo had turned her into something less than human, but she had held onto a sliver of pride that kept her from showing him her tears.
    “Mama?”
    She pulled Jamie to her and hugged him tight.
    “Mama, did he hurt you?”
    She looked at her son in confusion. “Who?”
    “Lord Daventry. Father said he wasn’t to be trusted and I forgot, but I won’t again.”
    Standing behind James, Daventry watched as if awaiting her answer. What did he want from her? She forced her gaze back to Jamie’s.
    “No, love, no one has hurt me. It was only seeing you so happy with your new ball and marbles that made me want to cry.”
    Jamie looked relieved, apparently not wanting to lose his new friend, but would have for her. Never, not even after the interminable years with Leo had she felt so lost. When it had been only her and Jamie this past year, she had a purpose. Grow potatoes, find a way to purchase chickens so they would have eggs, keep Jamie alive even at the expense of her own health. What was she to do with herself now?
    She forced a smile. “Do you know any marble games, Jamie, or would you like Lord Daventry to teach you some?” She knew the answer. Jamie had never owned, nor played a game of marbles in his life.
    “Oh, sir, would you?”
    Daventry squatted on his haunches and put his hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “When we reach Wyburne, I will teach you all the games I know. I daresay, it won’t take long before you are the best marble player ever.”
    The proud grin on Jamie’s face was something new, something she never thought to see. How in merciful heavens did Daventry do it? Was it possible he was different from Leo?
    “My lady,” he said and held out his arm. “May I escort you to the inn? You have time to rest and prepare for dinner.”
    Prepare for dinner? She wanted to have a tray sent to her room, away from him. Everything about him overwhelmed her. His expensive clothing, his powerful body, even his scent was more than she was ready for, more than she knew what to do with. There had been a time when she stood next to him in her fashionable gowns and artfully styled hair and felt like she belonged. Now, she wore rags, her hair was a tangled knot and she feared she might be giving off an unpleasant odor. She no longer knew who she was.
    He must have seen her panic because he looked at Jamie. “I wish to invite you and your mother to dine with me tonight, Jamie. You can dress in some of your new finery. After our dinner perhaps you would like to take an evening stroll?”
    The man was too clever by putting the question to Jamie. If she said no, then it would appear as if she were being churlish.
    “Oh, yes sir,