Across the Ages (Across the Ages Book One) Read Online Free Page B

snaked their way down Lucy’s body before he walked inside.
    Lucy cringed. The man made her skin crawl.
    Grandmother Agatha walked over to the girl she’d called Isabelle and fixed a tendril of the girl’s blond hair. “Take a turn around the path with us before you return.”
    Isabelle curtsied.
    The three of them started walking. Lucy was in shock. How could Isabelle believe that man loved her?
    When they’d nearly completed their turn, Lucy’s grandmother said, “I recommend you stay away from Lord Wesley. He isn’t worth your weight in feathers, dear. Understand?”
    “He said he loved me.” Isabelle burst into tears.
    Lucy’s grandmother pulled a kerchief from the sleeve of her dress and handed it to Isabelle. “Of course he did. He knew the words would have the exact effect they did. Guard yourself, girl. Don’t let the first set of pretty words aimed in your direction cause you to lose your faculties. Be better than that.”
    “Yes’m. I will.” Isabelle wiped her eyes. .
    “You won’t tell my mother, will you?”
    “You needn’t worry, child. I’ll hold my tongue, but heed my warning. Mr. Wesley will bring you nothing but heartache.”
    “Thank you.” Isabelle took the countess’s hand and pressed it to her cheek. “You’re a dear woman.”
    Once Isabelle had returned to the ballroom, Lucy and her grandmother started around the path again.
    “You handled that nicely.” Lucy wrapped her hands around her grandmother’s arm.
    Agatha patted Lucy’s hand. “If that girl doesn’t end up pregnant by Season’s end it’ll be by divine Providence.”
    “You don’t think she listened.”
    “No, I do not but never you mind.” She glanced up at the sky a moment.
    Lucy kept hold of her grandmother’s arm lest her favorite relative lost her balance. From past experience Lucy knew her Grandmother liked to collect her thoughts before speaking her mind. Lucy assumed her grandmother wanted to give her some words of wisdom regarding her upcoming engagement and was considering how to put the information graciously. To Lucy’s mind, her grandmother could take all the time in the world if that meant putting off the inevitable announcement.
    The night held a cool snap, especially when a gust of wind blustered past her. It was mid-April. The sky was surprisingly clear, allowing Lucy to see the stars. She found Cassiopeia.
    “See the moon?” her grandmother asked, caressing her locket between her fingers as she spoke.
    “No,” Lucy answered, finding the North Star as well as several other constellations. “It’s absent tonight, a new moon.”
    Grandmother Agatha smiled. “That’s right. The new moon and the full moon are divided by a fortnight and they are my favorites.”
    “Oh?” Lucy studied the sky curious about what she preferred in them.
    “They’ve always brought me luck. Perhaps someday they will do the same for you.”
    Lucy exhaled. “Perhaps.”
    Her grandmother moved closer. “You don’t love him, do you?”
    Lucy knew her grandmother was referring to Dashel. “Is it that obvious?”
    “To most, probably not. I can tell you are fond of the dashing Dashel.” She chuckled at her joke. “But there’s no friction between the two of you. No heat.”
    “Grandmother,” Lucy gasped, but was unable to hide her smile.
    “Don’t play coy. It’s what makes all the difference between a bearable marriage and one filled with passion.”
    “But what can I do?” Lucy wanted a way out, but only if it didn’t hurt Dashel. He was a good man and she didn’t want to cause a scandal. Even though she knew Dashel wouldn’t care.
    Her grandmother stopped, her deep violet eyes fixed on Lucy’s. “There is so much I need to tell you. So much I know only you will understand.” Grandmother Agatha started another turn around the path. “You know, your grandfather Lawrence and I weren’t in love either.”
    “I didn’t know,” Lucy said, surprised. The way she always spoke about him had