The Long Road to Love by Lynn Collum Read Free Book Online Page B

passed through a wooden arbor heavy with small white roses and disappeared in the woods beyond.
    She dashed down the path through the arbor and straight into the arms of Lord Blackstone, who’d stepped from behind the arch as she rushed headlong for the woods.
    His arms closed around her and he pulled her to his hard chest. As he stood holding her close, an amused smile on his handsome face, Angelica was suddenly flooded with the desire to put her arms around his neck. What madness was this?
    “Going somewhere, Angel?” His voice sounded husky.
    “I-I just thought I might get some air.” Something intense flared within her as she felt the warmth of him through her clothes.
    “I see, and you thought you might best get some air at a full run.”
    Feeling she must remove herself from the all too enticing feel of his arms, Angelica angrily pulled away. “Very well, let there be no more lies. I was trying to get away from you ... so I might continue my journey to York.” The last was said with a sniffle.
    Richard held himself in check as he watched her reach up and pluck a flower from the vines growing on the arbor, inhaling its fragrance even as a tear rolled down her porcelain cheek. He was overwhelmed with the desire to again take her in his arms and kiss away dear Angel’s tears, but honor forbade it. He wasn’t certain he could stop after a few kisses, for she was the most enticing woman he’d found himself in company with.
    For once he wished his mother were present to advise him what he should do. Angel should be returned to Edenfield where she properly belonged, but this marriage was so very repugnant to her, how could he be a party to betraying his old friend?
    “Angel, I don’t--”
    Just at that moment Miller came hurrying down the path. “Mr. Black, the first course is prepared and awaitin’ you and Miss Smith in the private parlor.”
    “We shall be there directly.” Richard never took his gaze from Angel as she stood with her back to the innkeeper. After Miller bowed and then disappeared back into the inn, Richard took Angel’s hand, drawing her to face him.
    “My dear, I think we are both tired and quite famished. Shall we go in and have the supper Mrs. Miller has worked so hard to prepare. You will feel more the thing after you have eaten.”
    Richard hoped that was true, for he felt bound by his promise to return Angel to Miss Parks. Perhaps if he found why she was so reluctant to marry, he might better understand and be able to ease her fears. But somehow the idea of Angel being wed left him feeling melancholy.
    With a growing sense of uneasiness, he led her back to the inn.

Chapter Four
     
    The innkeeper had made no idle boast of his wife’s culinary skills. Dinner in the lone private parlor of the Gray Dove was excellently prepared, if somewhat basic, consisting merely of turtle soup, sliced ham, braised potatoes with dill and peas in cream sauce.
    At first there had been an embarrassed silence; then Richard again dominated the conversation with amusing talk of Society, all the while keeping a close watch on Angel. By the time they’d finished their soup, she’d been able to compose herself sufficiently to compliment Mrs. Miller’s fare to Sally.
    At last left alone with their dessert of apple tarts and thick slices of cheddar, Richard said, “I think we need to speak about your reluctance to return to Edenfield.”
    Angelica’s violet-blue gaze came to rest on Richard. Several raven black curls hung loose from her chignon, dangling seductively about her beautiful face.
    “I shan’t allow Giles to decide who I marry when I am so close to my majority. If I marry it will only be for love.”
    Richard made a dismissive gesture with his hand before picking up his tankard of home brew. “ ‘Tis rarely the way for people of our class, my dear.” He drank deeply, eyeing her over the pewter cup. Setting the empty vessel back on the table, he leaned back and inquired, “If I might be so