Hannah Howell Read Online Free Page B

more than just staying alive. Decided it was past time I had me a family.”
    “Are there no women in Kentucky to choose from?”
    “Few who are nae already married or are old enough. A mon comes out to Kentucky to make a start. He might bring his wife with him, but many come out alone, just as I did. They want to get settled some before they start a family. Aye, there are a few single lasses about my home, but I wasnae of a mind to put my name to them. What about Thomas?”
    “Oh, all right, if you must know.”
    “I must.”
    “Thomas and I were engaged for three months. Before that we knew each other for nearly a year, and sometime during that year, he became a beau. Two weeks ago my family fell upon hard times rather abruptly. As a result Thomas sent me a letter this morning in which he formally ended our betrothal. I should have anticipated it, for he has assiduously avoided me since my family’s troubles began.”
    “But how do ye feel about that?” He wondered if she was just trying to salvage her pride when she asked him to marry her, thus showing Thomas and the world how quickly she could replace the man.
    “I told you—I have not really thought on it. When I begin my explanations, I believe you will understand why. I am angry, very angry. That much I do know.” She frowned as she sought the right words. “I feel deeply betrayed, but that comes mostly from the fact that I counted on Thomas and he failed me. I suppose my heart ought to be breaking, yet it doesnot seem to be. However, the poor thing has suffered so many blows just lately that it may be beyond pain.”
    “What are these troubles ye keep talking about?” he asked gently, deciding that he would get no better idea of her feelings for Thomas. She seemed to be very confused on the matter.
    “It would be best if I started from the beginning. Two weeks ago my father came home, went into his study, and put a pistol to his head.”
    Ballard cursed softly and took one of her tiny hands in his. “I am powerful sorry, lass.”
    “Thank you.” She found herself briefly speechless, strongly affected by his touch, and nervously cleared her throat. “Well, to continue—we barely had time to see to Papa’s burial when the reasons for his suicide became all too clear. My father was a naive, trusting man, and he had put his faith in the wrong people to invest his money. Once he began to lose money, he borrowed in a vain attempt to recoup through other schemes—all dismal failures. The debts he left behind were very large ones. They have been paid, but we have no money left and in two weeks we shall have no home. All that remains to us are our clothes and furniture. All lands, silver, jewelry, and such assets went to pay off those debts.”
    “And when Thomas heard that he jilted ye.”
    “That he did. Not only have I lost my dowry, but my brothers and my mother would have become his responsibility as well.” She watched Ballard MacGregor closely, for she knew it would be those dependents who would be the biggest impediment to their union.
    “Ye have no kin to help ye?”
    “Only one,” Clover replied slowly as she fixed hergaze upon a familiar carriage that was coincidentally just now drawing to a halt before the house. “But she will not help. In fact, this is she now. Hello, Alice,” she said as her elder sister approached and Ballard stood to greet her.
    For the thousandth time Clover wondered how someone as lovely as her sister could be so mean and small. As always, the voluptuous, blond Alice was adorned in the height of fashion, but Clover noticed that her sister’s much admired rosebud mouth was beginning to look pinched. Alice’s inner self was starting to alter her angelic features.
    “Why are you sitting on the stoop like some servant?” Alice demanded.
    “I
was
having a pleasant conversation in the afternoon sun with Mr. MacGregor. What are you doing here?”
    “I was at Mrs. Langdon’s hat shop and saw Thomas strolling