The spinster and the wastrel by Louise Bergin Read Free Book Online Page A

consider marrying. Setting aside her foolish ideas to deal with practicalities, she asked him, "Why should I give you some of the money when I now have all of it?"
    "It is a huge fortune. Much more than a woman like you could even consider handling."
    He spoke with the patience she expected to use on her students, and it irritated her. "I would have you know, sir, that I am thirty years of age and long past the era of a giddy girlhood. I am quite capable of handling my affairs."
    "Of course you are, but not at this magnitude." He stood and began to pace around the parlor. His strides

    wove a path around the chairs and tables arranged for warmth and conversation. "I have waited all my life to manage this estate, and I need the money to do it."
    "Would you truly use it for the estate?" she asked. "Your reputation leads one to think otherwise."
    He threw up his hands in dismay. "Always you mention my reputation. For a Christian woman, you believe an amazing amount of gossip."
    She felt her face flush at this accusation. It was true that all she did know about Sir Gerard came from the rantings of his uncle. Sir Nigel may have been a wizard at making money, but he disliked people. He had even called her a money-grubber, which was not a strictly accurate name. She may have grubbed money from him, but it never benefited herself.
    "I am sorry," she said. "I have been judging you based upon hearsay and am glad you want to help the people on the estate. They lead difficult lives. How did you intend to spend the money? I do know about the conditions here, if you would like my advice."
    He smiled at her, and she noticed how distinguished he looked. His brown hair was carelessly dressed, but not slovenly. His face was lean with prominent high cheekbones. No fat bunched anywhere on his tall body, leading her to believe it had been gossip she listened to. A life of dissipation would have left some signs on a man of thirty-five years.
    "You are a good woman," he said with a sincerity she easily heard in his voice. She had received that compliment many times before, most often from the rector or one of the people she helped, but never before had the words caused such a warm glow to surround her heart.
    She smiled back. "Thank you."

    A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the tea. She offered to pour, while he again sat in his chair. The tea aroma was pleasantly strong, promising a delicious cup. Apparently under the new master, no longer would reused tea leaves be offered to callers.
    When the cups had been filled and the cakes tried, he said, "We will need to meet with the solicitor to transfer the money. I appreciate your generosity, and want the amount of the bequest remaining to you to be ample. Would five hundred pounds be sufficient?"
    She nearly choked on her tea. "Five hundred! I need much more than that!"
    "More!" He looked in amazement at her. "What on earth for? After you buy some dresses and pay off your bills, the amount left should be ample for your needs for the rest of your life."
    Annette thought he had made a noble effort not to glance at her serviceable, but unfashionable dress, when he spoke that statement. Again, she wished she could have worn a pretty dress. Nevertheless, he must be told of her plans. "I want to open a school and called to ask if you would be on the board of trustees."
    It was his turn to sputter in astonishment. "A school? For whom? Why?"
    She set down her teacup. This topic was becoming familiar territory, and she could handle it with confidence. "The school will be for the local children so that they can be taught reading, writing, and ciphering."
    His shocked brown eyes stared at her. "Why would you use my money to teach a pack of illiterate brats?"
    Anger stirred within her at his ignorance. Her speech became even more precise as she replied, "They are only

    illiterate because they have never been taught to read. Education will change that. It will help them out of poverty."
    "It will only