A Bride for Alfie (Yorkshire Brides) Read Online Free PDF Page A

was a young woman, and her maid who found me the night I was thrown.”
    Nora raised one sable brow, but undeterred he continued his tale. “She cared for me along with her mother, her sister, and their local surgeon.”
    “The surgeon who came to Lexington today?”
    “Yes, Dr. Shirley”—Alfie took a long sip of his tea—“I fell in love with the young woman.”
    Nora understood the importance of that statement for she knew just how much he had loved Eva over the last two years.
    Alfie gazed out at the moonless night. “She let me kiss her, but failed to tell me she was engaged to the good doctor.”
    Nora brought her hand to her mouth. “Alfie. I am sorry. How did you find out?”
    “Her brother brought it up the day Eva came to retrieve me.” Alfie scooted back from the table and placed his hands on his thighs. “When he came today he told me he was going to Edinburgh for a few weeks; he expects a resolution to whatever is between Miss Parker, and myself, whatever the outcome”
    Nora leaned closer, laying her hand on his arm. “You mean he is giving you the opportunity to take her from him if you can.”
    “Precisely...”
    “Yet you hesitate.”
    “I cannot justify in my mind why she would allow me to kiss her, and not tell me she was engaged.”
    “Perhaps she fell in love with you as well, unexpectedly. Nevertheless, she clearly felt an obligation to her fiancé, but was not ready to take the chance of losing you before she had time to think about what she was doing. There could be any number of legitimate reasons, Alfie.” She leaned toward him as if she were going to tell him a secret. “You have several weeks before you have to be here for the wedding. Go see her.”
    Alfie left the following morning for Lockwood Farm.

Chapter 5
    Elizabeth came running into the house that afternoon. “Audra! Audra you have a letter. I bet it is from Robert.”
    Audra tried to grasp the letter as Elizabeth danced around her. “Is it from Edinburgh, Lizzy?”
    Elizabeth stopped and took a look. “No...”
    “Let me see it.”
    Audra took the letter, and saw it was delivered from a village to the north. It had to be Mr. Lockwood. He had finally made it to his father’s home. She went for a walk so she could read the letter in private.
    Miss Parker,
    I have fully recovered from my injuries, thanks to Dr. Shirley, and your family. I arrived at Lockwood Farm just hours ago. If you would allow, I would like to call upon you soon. I feel we left some things unsaid.
    Please let me know when would be an appropriate time.
    Alfie Lockwood
    Audra suspected Robert visited him on his way to Edinburgh, but what had passed between them she did not know. Nevertheless, she would not deny him, or herself the chance to see each other one more time. She returned to the cottage. “Mother, Mr. Lockwood has made a full recovery and finally made it to his father’s home. He has asked we visit him.” Which was not entirely false, he did want to visit with her.
    “Oh wonderful Audra, I did want to speak to him about a possible match between him, and Elizabeth when she is old enough.”
    Appalled, Audra responded. “Mother, I do not think—”
    Her mother laughed, and caressed her cheek. “Audra, do you really think me that blind? I know you are in love with the man.”
    “Mother, I do care for him, and that is why I must go. I need to explain to him face to face why I did not tell him I was engaged to Robert. I owe him that.”
    “You still intend to marry Robert when he returns?”
    “I have loved Robert since I was a girl, and he has loved me just as long. I cannot walk away from him now.”
    “Audra, you do not see a difference in the way you feel about Robert, and the way you feel about Mr. Lockwood?”
    “I do see a difference, but—”
    “You are a fool my little girl. Robert wants to see you happy, even if it means losing you.”
    “I cannot do that to him Mother.”
    “Lizzy, and I will be ready to go in the