A Madness in Spring Read Online Free Page B

bared calves. An eyebrow went up.
There it is
, he thought with a little thrill of satisfaction. But just as quickly as he had gained her attention, she swung it away again, as Miss Gage made an announcement.
    “I’ve promised Bertram that all the fires will remain high at the Friar’s House, even during the party.”
    “Party?” John asked, taking the bait.
    “Yes, dearest,” Francesca answered. “The Gages have decided to hold a dinner party in a fortnight, to say thank you to the neighborhood for such a warm welcome.”
    “We have?” Bertram asked.
    “It will be just the thing!” Georgie beamed. “And don’t worry, I won’t be lifting a finger – Miss Leonard will be helping to organize it all.”
    “We cannot ask Miss Leonard to –”
    “It is no difficulty, Mr. Gage,” Belinda said. “I dearly love to organize.”
    “Truer words have never been spoken,” Adam couldn’t stop himself from saying. But Belinda – and everyone else – continued on as if they hadn’t heard him.
    “And I’ve always wanted to explore the Friar’s House. We used to hear stories from the owners about how it has haunted secret passages.”
    “Haunted secret passages?” Bertram asked. “That information, I admit, was not disclosed to us.”
    “Well, Belinda can tell you all about it on the way in for luncheon,” Miss Gage said. And before Adam knew what was happening, they were abandoning their fishing poles and heading back up to the house. Francesca took John’s arm, telling him how little Johnny was waiting for them after his nap, and his recent coos and smiles. Bertram had Belinda on one arm, and made to take Miss Gage’s with his other, but before he could she had moved to Adam’s side. A bright smile met her brother’s surprised blink, but he simply turned and began to lead Miss Leonard inside.
    “Give them a moment,” Georgie whispered to Adam. “I want to give them some space.”
    “Afraid of ghost stories, Miss Gage?” Adam asked jovially. “I assure you the Friar’s House is not really haunted.”
    “No, of course not,” she said. “Don’t you think they look well together?”
    “Who?”
    She nodded ahead of them. Adam’s brow came down. “Well they are… of a height?” Belinda was a tall female, and only a few inches shorter than her companion.
    “I think they are suited in more ways than height,” Georgie replied.
    “Miss Leonard – Belinda. And your brother?” Adam was certain he could not be hearing her correctly. “You cannot be serious.”
    “Whyever not?” Georgie replied. “I assure you, my brother is quite eligible. As is Miss Leonard.”
    “I have no doubt he is. And… she is too, I suppose. But…”
    “But what?”
    But he’d never even thought of Belinda ever being suited for anyone. The idea of her married – it was just so strange. She would drive the poor man crazy with her constant need to be right and fix everything to her liking. He’d been firmly convinced for some time that she would live and die an old maid.
    “My brother needs a woman in his life,” Georgie said, seeing his confusion. “And as for Miss Leonard… well, surely you’ve noticed the admiring glances he’s sent her.”
    “He has?” Adam asked. For a moment, he felt like he’d lost his bearings, and was not at the home where he’d grown up. This entire thing was terribly unfamiliar.
    Georgie’s cheeks colored very suddenly. “I’ve said too much. Let us speak of blander things. Will you be attending our party at the Friar’s House, Mr. Sturridge. Please do say you’ll come.”
    Adam’s mind swung violently from his musings to Georgie’s question. The party was in a fortnight. He had been planning on heading back to his own estate before the end of this week. He’d already begun packing, and composed the letters to his steward and land manager to let them know of his arrival.
    But he hadn’t posted them yet.
    His eyes flicked ahead of them, to where Bertram was laughing