Andrews Brothers 02 - The Rescue Read Online Free Page B

comrades over dinner the night before, “The lass will never marry another, so might as well give her a suitable ceremony.”
    The staff had eyed her warily. Behind hands they had whispered of her immediate demise. To their knowledge no woman had survived birthing Lord Norhaven’s child and they didn’t expect her to be the first, especially with her narrow hips.
    The morning brought a new level of indignities as Farrah was forced to sit in the library as Clovis’ lawyer strutted about and listed Clovis’ assets. “I’ve drawn up the documents. After today, if either of you perish, the other will receive a vast inheritance.”
    Garrett positioned himself in a corner with his arms folded and a frown covering his face. Hours later, the lawyer gathered his papers, shook hands with Clovis, and left. Clovis settled behind his desk. Ignored and hurt, Farrah rose and entered the empty hallway where she was immediately detained by Garrett.
    He shifted his gaze back and forth. “I don’t like this.”
    She cocked a brow and placed her hands on her hips. “You mean you don’t like that Lord Norhaven will inherit our lands if I perish?”
    “My lady, I—”
    She relaxed her position. “Don’t bother. Father knew well what he was doing when he agreed to this union.”
    “But your father believed you were young and would outlive—”
    Her heartbeat throbbed between her ears. “Ah, so the truth is revealed. Father believed I would outlive the elderly Flannigan and provide the Burrows line with extra land, the only way a useless daughter can.”
    Garrett rushed to explain, but she hitched her skirts and fled. His footsteps trailed off as she ascended the staircase. She slammed her bedroom door and fell across her bed. The plush yellow coverlet absorbed her sobs. In two days, her life would change forever. She would be Countess of Norhaven and expected to fulfill certain duties. One of which might kill her.
    She rolled onto her back and studied the ceiling. What was Angus doing? Was he hopping aboard a ship and sailing across the ocean? Was he running around town with his chums enjoying his days and nights? Did he think about her plight at all?
    If he knew she’d been forced to wed, what would he do? Would he rush to her aid or would he stay away and enjoy the freedom only males incurred?
    She jumped from the bed and paced. Her suite was on the east side of the house and sported a private balcony overlooking the vast gardens. She stepped out. Hills covered with purple heather rolled for as far as the eye could see. Wind fluttered the tall grass and teased tendrils of her hair. The sun warmed her face.
    Below, guards lifted their hands in greeting. She refused to acknowledge their kindness. Unwittingly, they stood between her and freedom.
    Back inside she stopped in the middle of her room. Boredom consumed her. If she didn’t find a way to distract herself, she would lose her mind.
    Tromping downstairs, she eyed the large double doors. Casting glances over her shoulder, she scooted forward and touched the handle. A man appeared at her side. Dressed in the maroon livery belonging to a Norhaven footman, he cocked a brow and studied her. “I’m afraid not, my lady.”
    “Am I a prisoner?”
    “Perhaps.”
    She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. “If you don’t trust me to stay on the estate then by all means join me, but I am leaving these walls.”
    “Spirited, are we?”
    Her planned comment about his forward behavior was stifled when he opened the front door. She eyed him curiously, but stepped out, lifted her face, and drew in a deep breath. The man tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.
    She said, “I see you took my offer literally.”
    He didn’t reply, and as they traversed the grounds, she proceeded to study her escort.
    Thick blond hair swathed his head. Tanned and brawny, he stood with erect posture and sureness of self. As they continued on their walk, he dipped his head at his