Captured Love Read Online Free Page A

Edward’s precious time and company, from the bounds of their perfect
life.
    Rupert’s hands slid into his pockets. He did not like
feeling needy, but he had longed for his cousin’s company. Yet, he felt as if
he was seeking charity, or like a child looking for attention.
    He’d enjoyed his time with Edward this morning, though.
They had laughed, breathless and energized after they’d sparred, and Rupert had
felt better than he had in an age. Then, as they walked back to Edward’s,
Rupert had shared the tale of Kendrick’s earlier visit.
    It had felt good to have someone to speak to. He’d not
had anyone who he trusted with personal concerns since Edward had married Ellen
over a year ago. He shared nothing with his mother ;   she was too ill to bear his burdens too,
and Edward’s brother, Robert, who was more often in town, was not the sort of
man who cared for another’s troubles. Robert was a fast-living rake. He’d have
no interest in Rupert’s concerns about Rowena or his mother.
    It had therefore been a great relief to pass his
responsibility for Rowena on to Ellen. Now at least he might focus a little
more time on himself.  
    “I think Rowena’s young friend has a fancy for you,
Rupert.”
    Feeling a surge of bitterness, Rupert looked at the
dancers. He did not see Miss Divine. He did see Rowena.
    Kendrick was walking a circle with her in the midst of
a country dance and he was speaking hurriedly, while she obviously listened
warily.
    “Ellen said Miss Divine seemed extremely disappointed
this afternoon when she saw it was Ellen with Rowena, in your barouche.”
    Rupert gave his cousin a sidelong glance.  
    “Miss Divine has seemed equally low in spirits tonight.
She’s been glancing about the room every other moment since we arrived, and I’ve
heard her mention your name to Rowena at least twice.” Edward laughed.
    Rupert did not. He sighed. Lord , it was the last thing he needed; Miss Divine dropping her
handkerchief in his direction, in the hope he would, metaphorically, pick it up
and begin courting her. She obviously had mistaken his offer to waltz with her.
    “She is looking at you now,” Edward teased.
    Rupert looked back at the dancers and caught the gleam
of auburn curls. She was indeed looking at him. He met the vivid blue gaze he’d
only noticed for the first time last night. There was some thought going on behind
her eyes, she looked as if, had she been stood in front of him, she would have
spoken.
    Sensation stirred low in his stomach. He might not
find her stunningly pretty, but he did find her physically attractive. An
unwanted image slipped through his mind, of that hair spread across a white
sheet. He turned away.
    Edward laughed again.
    Rupert narrowed his eyes. “What she’s probably
interested in is my title. The girl’s a schemer. I want nothing to do with her.
I’ve tried putting Rowena off her, to no avail. So I endure her presence, but I
am certainly not going to encourage it, Ed.”
    “Well, that I can see. You bristle about Miss Divine,
like a hedgehog...” Edward laughed again. “Even last night, when you were
waltzing, I could see you loathing it. Yet perhaps a bright, young girl, like
that, is exactly what you need, Rupert —”
    “Miss Divine? Are you mad?”
    “Not at all. You’ve seemed low in spirits every time we’ve seen
you lately. Someone, of such a sunny nature, might cheer you up.”
    “She is not sunny-natured. She puts her smiles on for
effect. Do not tell me you are fooled?”
    “I would say, her smiles cover her anxiety, and the
way she laughs seems to imply the same thing, as if she is hiding her
discomfort. She is on the edge of welcome here, and you know it. It must be a
hard tightrope to walk.”
    Rupert’s eyebrows lifted. They’d had a conversation
long ago, when Rupert had first discovered Edward’s affair with Ellen. This
conversation reminded Rupert of that. “The girl fancies my title and fortune
and that is all. If I ever