A Dangerous Nativity Read Online Free Page A

way
of John improving himself."
    Her comments confirmed Will's suspicions
about the source of Songbird Cottage's order and well-managed
operation. His other suspicions about the estate's obligations
toward this household would have to wait until he had more
information. Clearly, that wouldn't come from Lord Arthur.
    "Thank you, Miss Wheatly. I will call on
Squire Adams as soon as I am able. Can you see me out?"
    He took his leave of Lord Arthur Wheatly,
convinced that he looked relieved to have him gone, and followed
his hostess to the door.
    "Your sketches and watercolors are
superb."
    His words must have startled her. When she
stumbled on the carpet in the hall, Will reached out to steady her,
with one hand to her waist and the other to her wrist. He could
feel the rapid beat of her pulse under his hand. Ah, Miss Wheatly.
Your heartbeat is as rapid as mine. He smiled down at her.
    A man could get lost in Catherine Wheatly's
eyes. Will realized he was grinning like a fool and tried to rein
himself in.
    "Does your John Archer have a passion for the
land?" he asked. It occurred to him belatedly that she might have a
sweetheart.
    "Johnny? I would say so, yes. He took his
uncle's fields in hand when he reached seventeen, and now they are
among the most productive in the county. Soon, they may be almost
as productive as mine."
    Mine. Any doubt Will may have harbored about
her farm management disappeared. She had recommended the
second-best land steward in the county to him. What would she say
if he offered her the position?
    "What's so funny?" she asked, gesturing him
to the open door.
    "I was thinking about the boys," he lied.
"Your brothers are a delight."
    "Do you think so?" She sounded relieved, as
if she had feared otherwise.
    "High spirited, as boys ought to be, but
respectful and disciplined. They are fine youngsters. I am hoping
you will allow them to visit Charles."
    "The duke? At Eversham Hall?" She said the
words as speaking the name of Hell itself.
    "Why not?"
    "We're not welcome there."
    "My dear Miss Wheatly, the old regime is
gone. The less said about the former steward the better, and my
brother-in-law. . ." He let his words trail off. Had she been
afraid of Emery? The thought that the late duke may have forced
himself on this woman brought bile to his throat.
    "Surely you are aware by now that even the
servants know to turn us off. Mrs. Cotter, the cook, even refused
to buy my eggs when I approached her in the village. Everyone in
the county buys my eggs, unless they have sufficient hens of their
own."
    He had no answer. Several steps later, she
spoke again. "Besides, Papa wouldn't allow it. He calls it 'that
vile place.'"
    "Miss Wheatly, what—"
    "I'm sorry, my lord. We don't talk about it."
Her words were polite, but her tone squelched his questions.
    "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss
Wheatly. Perhaps I'll see you again soon," he said, taking her hand
and bowing over it. Her blush when she pulled away warmed his
heart. With a proper nod of his head, and a less proper grin, he
mounted Mercury and left.
    ***
    Damn and blast the man. She was certain the
earl saw them as a ramshackle household.
    He catches me looking like a scullery maid,
with Mrs. MacLeish gone to town and unable to answer the door. We
provide no tea, nor even offer him a chair. Where were your
manners, Catherine? Allowing his hands on her person didn't help
either.
    She knew full well where her manners went. As
soon as he pushed her papa about their relationship to the duke,
all other thoughts fled. She didn't know him well, but she knew he
didn't miss much and didn't let go once an idea took hold.
    He's curious, and he's going to stir up a
hornet's nest and make Papa miserable. Damn, damn, and damn.
     

Chapter Four
    Will leapt up the steps to Eversham Hall and walked with purpose to
the butler's pantry. Stowe jumped up from the desk, where he had
been enjoying a surreptitious nip, probably of His Grace's brandy.
He ought to look guilty.