Beside Two Rivers Read Online Free

especially your hair. You know I’ve always envied it.”
    “You are sweet to say so, cousin.”
    “You caught the Englishman’s eye.”
    A corner of Darcy’s mouth lifted. “I doubt it.”
    “He is very handsome.”
    Darcy hugged her cousin closer. “Do not be deceived by the outward appearance, Martha. There is no telling what kind of rogue is beneath that skin.”
    She looked back over her shoulder. The English gentleman turned his eyes and held Darcy’s gaze, then turned away, his brow gathered. Had she intruded upon him?
    His dark brown hair touched the edge of his collar. The cut of his coat, his black leather boots, and his white linen neckcloth were simple attire compared to some of the other men’s. Either he was rich and preferred not to flaunt his position, or he was a man of modest means.
    Martha pulled her along, and as they reached the top step, Captain Rhendon and his wife welcomed them. His neckcloth, snowy-white and looped about his neck, looked too snug. His hair, gray and brown, whisked forward along his forehead and temples. Mrs. Rhendon, a head shorter than her husband, stood beside him.
    A glimmer of envy was noted in her aunt’s eyes when she laid eyes on their hostess’s gown. Darcy did not care in the least what Mrs. Rhendon wore, but she did admire the color of the fabric. Pale yellow looked striking against her flawless skin.
    “My dear Mr. and Mrs. Breese, so good of your family to come.” Mrs. Rhendon held out her hand. “We’re all about to gather out on the lawn. I hope the food meets the taste of Marylanders.”
    Mrs. Breese smiled. “I’m sure it will. My, what a beautiful home you have here.”
    “These are your daughters?” Mrs. Rhendon glanced over at the girls. Each curtsied prettily and smiled.
    “Indeed they are. This is Martha our firstborn, hopefully the first to wed. And this is Lizzy. Her artistic talents are unsurpassed. And Abigail here has the voice of a nightingale.”
    Appearing intrigued, Mrs. Rhendon’s brows arched. “Oh really? Perhaps she will entertain us with a song later.”
    “She’d be glad to. Won’t you, Abby?” Mrs. Breese squeezed Abby’s elbow, and Abby nodded. “Rachel is an accomplished musician and plays the pianoforte very well. She and our youngest, Dolley, are with the other girls their ages. So you must excuse them.”
    Darcy was last to be introduced. Her uncle, looking assertive, drew her forward. “And this is our niece, Darcy Morgan.”
    Captain Rhendon lifted his chin. “Morgan? Not of River Run, I hope.”
    His reaction to her hurt, but she tried not to show it by maintaining her smile. “I wasborn there, sir.”
    Captain Rhendon spoke something beneath his breath, so quiet, no one caught his words. But Darcy had no doubt it was an expletive. River Run had not been lived in since she left it. The last time she ventured near it, thistles and pokeweed smothered what had once been a green lawn.
    “We had no idea, Mr. Breese, you were related to that particular family,” said Mrs. Rhendon.
    Mr. Breese made no effort to explain, but simply said, “My half-brother, ma’am, was Hayward Morgan, a true patriot of our cause.”
    Mrs. Rhendon snapped her fan shut and turned to Darcy. “Your mother was a beauty, Darcy.”
    “You knew her, ma’am?”
    “Yes. When your father returned here with her, they attended a similar affair here at Twin Oaks. I recall her gown was deep amber, which set her apart from all the other ladies. But I dare say you take after your father’s good looks.” There was a faint ring of sarcasm in her voice, but her eyes, so well trained, did not show it.
    Darcy extended a polite smile. “Thank you for your kind words, ma’am.”
    Mrs. Breese squeezed Darcy’s hand. “Is your son well, now that he is home?”
    Darcy breathed a sigh of relief that her aunt was astute enough to change the subject. For a moment, she dwelt on why the Rhendons seemed repelled by her last name.
    Mrs. Rhendon replied.