Beguiled Read Online Free PDF Page B

discomfiture?”
    She’d sooner walk to Glasgow than answer him. Putting on a false smile, she withdrew her hand. “I fail to see why it matters. I’m on the mend.”
    â€œBased on what Lord Lachlan told me, I choose the ambient temperature rather than a romantic entanglement.”
    Did she appear incapable of romance to others? Is that what father had meant? Her success or lack of it was her own concern, and neither the Highland rogue nor this Glaswegian nobleman would make her lament her life’s choice.
    She returned her arm to the sling, and the ache in her shoulder eased. “I’m curious. Tell me exactly what my father said.”
    Absently, he touched the iron trivet. When it rocked in place, he picked it up and examined its wooden legs. “His Grace was quite forthcoming.” From his waistcoat pocket he produced a metal object no bigger than her little finger. Releasing a hinge, he unfolded a tiny knife and began shaving away at one of the trivet legs.
    â€œThat’s an ingenious tool.”
    He shrugged. “You spent over a year in China, engaging in all sorts of unfeminine pursuits. His grace swears that your hands are deadly weapons, with or without a pistol or a blade.”
    â€œWhat else did he say?”
    He put down the trivet and tested it. When it didn’t sit evenly, he again went to work on the legs. “He grieves because you harbor too much blame for events beyond your control. He says you will not let go of the past.”
    A stillness came over her. “Did he tell you why?”
    â€œNay.” Again, he tested the trivet; it no longer rocked. He folded the knife and returned it to his waistcoat.
    The simple answer, combined with the subtle finality of finishing his repair on the serving piece, told Agnes that he preferred to leave the subject alone.
    That suited her perfectly. “Are you satisfied that I’m strong enough to travel?”
    He laughed ruefully. “I’m satisfied that you are stubborn enough to travel.”
    â€œI’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
    His level stare pierced her. “You’ll be jostled for two days in the carriage.”
    Praise the saints; he had relented and was giving her fair warning of how difficult the journey would be. “I’ll bring along a blanket and a pillow to use as cushions.”
    â€œThen you do admit that you have pain?”
    Placating him should put the matter to rest. “I have more respect for you than to lie. Yes, there is pain and soreness, but ’tis not unmanageable. Only the itching.”
    â€œA good sign. The wound is healing. I’ll remove the stitches in a day or two. ’Twill hurt.”
    â€œWhen do we leave for Glasgow?”
    He was sorting it out; she could read his indecision. To give him time, she sought to placate him further. “I’ve been stitched up before.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œAt home in Tain.”
    Thinning patience tightened his smile. “Where on your person were you stitched up? A hand, a finger?”
    â€œA lady wouldn’t mention where—not in mixed company.”
    â€œA lady should speak freely to her physician. How did the injury occur?”
    â€œMy sister Mary pushed me down. I fell onto a broken butter crock, bottom first. I took supper standing.”
    â€œHow old were you?”
    â€œEight as I recall, and an excellent retaliator.”
    â€œWhat did you do to her?”
    â€œWhile she slept, I trimmed the hair on the right side of her head.”
    â€œWere you punished?”
    â€œIn a way. Sarah and Lottie cut their hair to match Mary’s.”
    â€œSo you were odd lass out.”
    â€œFor that occasion. When do we leave for Glasgow?”
    â€œChristopher and Hannah are curious children. I have encouraged them to be that way. They have not traveled often, and this journey did not turn out as I planned. The carriage will be confining, and if you grow