Charming the Vicar's Daughter Read Online Free

gel when she fell.”
    Hannah’s jaw dropped and she burst out laughing, before raising a hand to cover her mouth. She continued to chuckle softly while Neil explained the mishap. When he reached the part about their being spied, she said, “Oh, no, not the Widow’s League.”
    “I see you know of whom I speak. Are they notorious meddlers?”
    “The worst,” David said. “I picked up Miss Cookson’s handkerchief once after church, and the widows had me on bended knee in their tales.”
    Neil smiled, some of the tension leaving him at last. “I’m relieved to know I shall escape the fate they have planned for me. They looked quite determined.”
    David nudged Neil’s arm. “I came to tell you I must check on a sick foal. Will you come along? I’ll show you the horse I had in mind for you.”
    Quickly signing off on his letter, Neil rose and followed David outside. Once they were far enough from the house to not be overheard, he asked the question simmering in his thoughts. “What was it about Lady Joanna that made you certain you wished to marry her?”
    David looked off in the distance where some horses grazed in the paddock. “I don’t know that I ever put it in words, or enumerated the pros and cons. I became rather attached to her over the course of a Season. We had a falling out over some dealings I had with her brother, and in her absence it became clear she was necessary for my happiness.”
    “I see.” In truth, Neil was uncertain how to respond, in spite of his words. How did one recognize a person was responsible for one’s happiness? He enjoyed so many pastimes, alone and with others. He was rarely unhappy. There must be some difference in his makeup from that of his cousin. Neil didn’t require anyone else to be happy. That was why he was looking forward to arriving in London. His time and his thoughts would be his own, with no one to report to.
    He planned to live the bachelor’s life to the fullest.

Chapter Four
    The next week passed and Rebecca was delighted to see nothing of Mr. Harrow. She had slipped out the side door after the church service on Sunday to avoid greeting anyone. The only time she saw the widows was at the weekly sewing circle begun by Mama and continued by the ladies in the village after her death. No mention was made there of the young man, and no one looked askance at Rebecca, so she felt safe to assume the moment was in the past.
    Her good fortune could not last forever, she discovered. As she made her way home from the Upjohns Wednesday afternoon, she spied members of the Lumley family walking at the crossroads. The twins, Lady Madeleine and Lady Patience, called out to her and rushed ahead of their brothers and Mr. Harrow. “Miss Cookson, how happy we are to see you.” Lady Patience, the slightly taller of the two, spoke with all the enthusiasm a young lady of fourteen could muster.
    “Yes, we have wanted to speak to you.” Lady Madeleine glanced back at the young men before leaning closer and whispering, “Is it true our cousin kissed you?”
    Lady Patience giggled and nodded, the curly blond fringe around her face bobbing.
    Rebecca felt the blood leave her face and said a prayer for civility before answering. She continued walking, keeping her voice low, even though the footsteps behind them didn’t draw any nearer. “He did no such thing. Who is spreading this vicious tale?”
    “Why, all the servants have been whispering about it. They say he caught you unawares behind the wisteria bush and stole a quick kiss before jumping back into the coach on his way to the Manor.” Lady Patience was breathless in her telling.
    “No, that wasn’t it at all,” Lady Madeleine argued. “It was the old oak in the town square, and he kissed her for an entire minute.”
    “He did no such thing, I assure you. There was no kiss. The servants are telling Banbury tales.” Rebecca wished she could run home, but she stood her ground and held herself to a walk. She’d been