An Honorable Wish (A Lady's Wish 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Her skin was papery, dry, and cool; old. “Juliet only said that she has befriended the daughter of one of the tenants of Horneswood, nothing more.”
    “You know how she is,” Lady Danford said. “The chit would be raising money in the village to save them if she could, or giving up her own funds.”
    “I admire that about her. She did the same in London.”
    “Your brother thinks to marry her off to Mr. Bartleby.”
    “Mr. Bartleby is a gentleman. It is an equitable match.”
    “My maid has a sister in the village. She’s heard talk that he’s not dealing with the tenants in an honest way.”
    “I never realized you were such a gossip.”
    She smacked his arm and he chuckled. “I’ve missed you, boy.”
    He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Believe it or not, I’ve missed you too.”
    Tony left the parlor and then silently entered the dark library. A fire burned cheerfully, but no candles were lit. He had missed Juliet; she must have taken her book upstairs. But then he spotted her, curled up in a chair asleep, a book open on her lap. He picked up the book and looked at it, his eyebrows shooting up when he read the title: Fanny Hill .
    Juliet apparently had very naughty reading tastes. Tony flipped through the pages, looking at some of the pictures. He then looked down at the woman asleep in the chair. She was full of surprises. He touched a finger to her hand. “Juliet?”
    “What time is it?” she said sleepily.
    “Just past nine. I thought you were reading agricultural books, not this. I’m surprised this put you to sleep,” he said, gesturing with the book. “It’s interesting reading.”
    She snatched the book from his hands. “If you tell Anne—”
    “I won’t tell Anne.”
    “I should go upstairs.” Juliet gathered the books and clutched them to her chest.
    “Don’t leave. Please finish what you were going to tell me.” Juliet looked puzzled. “About Mr. Bartleby?”
    “He’s a hateful man. I can’t believe Nathaniel means for me to marry him.”
    “You can refuse him.” Tony took a poker and stirred up the flames of the small fire. He needed more light to see her face.
    Juliet stared into the fire. “I can’t disappoint Nathaniel. Our family owes him so much.”
    Tony sank into the chair across from her. “Why do you dislike Bartleby so?”
    Juliet gripped the book, her knuckles white. “He tried to compromise a friend of mine.”
    For a moment, Tony was speechless. “Who?”
    “Miss Penelope Williams. As I told you, her family are tenants of the estate Bartleby manages.”
    “Are you sure she didn’t misinterpret his meaning?”
    Juliet glared at him. “He told her he’d waive the rent if she became his mistress. Penelope came to me in tears, begging me to help her. I tried to talk to him.”
    “My guess is that Mr. Bartleby did not take too kindly to your interference.”
    “He’s despicable. He forbade me to see Penelope again.”
    “Is that why you were dressed as a boy? To avoid Bartleby?” Tony smiled. “Lady Danford knew you were up to something. Is Mr. Williams now an invalid?”
    “Yes.” She leaned back in the chair with her eyes closed. “It’s so sad. If they’d only give Aaron Williams a chance, he could make a go of it.”
    Tony couldn’t stop the pinch of jealousy at the affection in her voice. “Is he the son?”
    “Penelope’s younger brother. He’s just sixteen.”
    Tony played at brushing lint off his trousers. “He’s seen you in those breeches?”
    Juliet glared at him. “Of course. He has me cleaning stalls to prepare for lambing.”
    Tony could just imagine watching Juliet cleaning stalls in those old breeches when he was sixteen. “I suggest you dress appropriately next time.”
    “You have no idea how much work there is to do.”
    “If you would like some help, I’m happy to oblige.”
    “Are you sure? It’s very hard work.”
    “I shall overlook the insult that you think me too weak for hard labor but will tell you