The Portrait Read Online Free

eyes to wander from her task,
dreading the moment when she would be forced to acknowledge the situation. However, as she handed the cup to Sinclair,
the words died on her lips as she became aware of his intense
scrutiny.
    Seeing her unease, Edward straightened himself in his chair, saying in a subdued tone, "Lady Jennifer, I think it only fair
that I bring about a swift end to your disquiet. I see what effect my injuries have on you, and believe me when I say that I
quite understand. I am not so insensitive as to not realize just
how devastating it would be if you were forced to ally yourself
to such an individual as I have become. I would not wish it on
you."

    She would have given an answer, but he slowly shook his
head. "There is no need to attempt to put the matter delicately.
I am quite sure you realize, as do I, that to continue with the
engagement would be disastrous. Therefore, I will not equivocate on the issue. I release you from your promise. The wedding
will not take place."
    "It is not your wish that we should marry?" she asked, paling still further.
    "It is not. I will send a retraction to the Gazette immediately. It will be understood that I have been too long away, and
who should blame us if our sentiments have undergone a
change during that time? Indeed, it will be seen that I am the
cause of the rift, so you need not fear censure"
    "Are my feelings on the matter not to be considered then,
sir?" she demanded.
    "I don't think you know what your feelings are at this precise moment," he replied, noting the indignant tilt of her chin
and the militant look in her eye. "If you would but be guided
by me, I'm sure you will see the right of it and will be relieved
to be rid of me"
    "I am beginning to think that I shall," she said, coming
abruptly to her feet and nearly upsetting the tea tray in the
process. "I'm excessively grateful to you for pointing it out to
me. You have saved me the need to deliberate further on the
matter."
    He, too, came to his feet and bridged the distance between
them to take her hand in his. "You may not think it now, but
you will come to be grateful to me for making the decision,"
he said earnestly. "Let not your sentiments at this moment
cloud your judgment. You see me as a case for pity, and that is not what I would wish. I will not allow you to take me when
such emotions rule."

    "You are quite right, sir," she snapped, withdrawing her
hand from his warm clasp. "I would not wish you to think that
I take you out of sympathy; therefore, I see the sense of it."
She did not understand why his words piqued her so. Had it
not been her own intent to end the betrothal?
    An unfathomable look came into his eyes. "I hope we may
still meet as friends."
    "As friends? I see no reason why we should not," she
replied coolly, deciding her reaction was that of resentment
because it had been he who had uttered the words that ended
the betrothal and not she.
    Relieved, he smiled. "Then we are in agreement?"
    "Most certainly. You have taken a burden from my mind. I,
too, had wondered at the sense of continuing with the engagement and had reached the same decision as you. Now we are
both free to continue with our lives unhindered."
    "Have you felt the betrothal a hindrance?" he asked with
some concern.
    She colored with confusion. "Yes ... no ... I don't know
what I have felt. We had become as strangers, and you were so
far away... " Her voice faltered, and she refused to meet his
gaze.
    "Then the decision to end it is the right one, and you may
recommence your life without its burden. Now that the matter
is settled, we can be easy in each other's company. Won't you
be seated and take some tea with me? Talk to me for a while.
I am in dire need of civilized conversation."
    When the time came for Jennifer to leave Fly, Edward
escorted his former betrothed and her companion to their
chaise. Watching from the shallow steps that led to the gravel
drive, he raised his