The Letter by Sandra Owens Read Free Book Online Page A

I would like that.”
    “My lady? Will you join Lord James and me for dinner?”
    Identical ink-blue eyes looked back at her. Something unwelcome slithered up her spine, but she dismissed the similarities. Leo was Daventry’s cousin and they bore an obvious likeness even though Leo’s eyes were a pale blue. So, Jamie’s were deep blue. It didn’t mean anything.
    “Please, say yes, Mama.”
    She could not bring herself to deny her son.
    ****
    Diana washed herself and Jamie as best she could, frowning at the brownish tint the water in the bowl turned as she dipped the cloth into it. When had she stopped caring about being clean? After finishing with Jamie, she stood behind the screen and scrubbed under her arms, under her breasts, and between her legs so hard her irritated skin turned pink. She lifted an arm and sniffed. The pleasure of the fresh scent of soap was so great it almost brought her to her knees.
    She wore the first dress she unwrapped. In the other packages she found a pair of half boots, two chemises, stockings, and a comb. He must have added those after she ran out of the shop. He had no right buying her such personal items, even if she desperately needed them.
    Once she had Jamie dressed in his new clothes, she spent another thirty minutes getting the tangles out of her hair before twisting it back into a knot low on her neck. She wished she had been able to wash it, but it would have been impossible to do in the small bowl of water.
    A knock sounded and she took a deep breath seeking to calm her nerves. Jamie bounded to the door and opened it, a wide smile of greeting for the man standing in the hall.
    “Well, Jamie, don’t you look a capital fellow tonight?”
    Her son stood taller at this compliment, his little chest puffing out in pleasure. “Thank you, sir.”
    Lifting his gaze to hers, Daventry smiled. She didn’t return it and prayed he would not comment on her appearance.
    His eyes studied her as if reading her deepest thoughts. She held still under his scrutiny, something she had learned to do the hard way.
    “My lady, shall we go down to dinner?”
    Would he beat her if she said no?

Chapter Four
    Michael held out his arm and waited. And waited. He wanted to compliment her appearance, almost had, but something in her eyes stopped him. The muslin day dress was a considerable improvement over her pitiful black gown. The blue was a pleasing contrast to her honey-colored hair. He would liked to have seen something other than the tight twist low on her neck. And why was he thinking of her hair?
    Jamie walked out, stopping next to him. Michael continued to hold out his arm. He hoped she didn’t think she could outlast him. She looked at his arm as if it might bite her. Perhaps this was something he could do for her. If he could help her learn to accept the touch of a man again it would help ease her way back to the life she deserved. How was she to dance at a ball if she couldn’t bear to have a man touch her? How was she to stroll in the park with a beau? She was young and should marry again, but how could she until she got over her fears? Something twisted in his heart at these thoughts, but he ignored it.
    She had once loved his touch, and if he could get her used to it again, he would be doing her a favor. She might not agree now, but some day she would thank him for it. By holding out his arm, he was forcing her to do something she didn’t want to. He may as well begin as he meant to go on, so he waited.
    “Are you coming, Mama?”
    She stepped out of the room. Not looking at him, she placed the tips of her fingers over his sleeve, the contact so light he couldn’t feel her hand. Well, it wasn’t much, but it was a start. Following Jamie, he led her down the stairs and into the private dining room he had secured. Earlier, he had instructed the innkeeper to set a small table for three and was pleased to see his directions had been followed perfectly. He had also requested three different