Blaze Wyndham Read Online Free PDF Page A

sisters’ welfare upon me, and me alone!” Blaze cried defiantly.
    “I will not argue further with you, daughter,” said Lady Morgan. “Go to the chapel this minute!”
    Blaze ran from the room, her heart pounding with her anger and her frustration. Deliberately ignoring her mother’s orders, she hurried back to the kitchens, stopping halfway down the narrow stone steps to look upon her sisters. Bliss and Blythe were busily overseeing the others, for Larke and Linnette had joined them. The elder set of twins were so beautiful, Blaze thought sadly. It was not right that they be condemned to living their lives here at Ashby without husbands and children of their own. They had only a few years left in which to find husbands. Some would have claimed they were already past their prime. Blaze could not remember ever seeing anyone who could match her sisters’ beauty. They were identical in features but for a tiny beauty mark. On Bliss the dainty mark was located just above the left corner of her mouth, but on Blythe it was above the right corner. Each had pale daffodil-blond hair and sapphire-blue eyes. Their faces, like their eldest sister’s, were heart-shaped with slender little turned-up noses and generous mouths. Their pleasingly curved eyebrows and long sweeping eyelashes were dark enough to show against their fair skins, and did not need the artifice of charcoal. Theirs was a delicate beauty, yet their rosy cheeks bespoke of good health that could not be denied.
    The only other blond amongst their siblings was Vanora, whose hair had a silvery gilt look to it. With her dark blue eyes, which in certain light seemed almost black, the little girl, despite a face still round with baby fat, promised to one day be a great beauty. So did their littlest sister, Glenna, with her chestnut-red hair and their mother’s gray-blue eyes.
    The rest of the Morgan children were dark-haired. Glenna’s twin brother, Gavin, was his father’s image with his blue eyes and dark chestnut-brown hair. Winsome Delight with identical coloring. The second set of twins, Lark and Linnette, with their dark brown hair and violet-blue eyes so like her own. What future did any of them have without gold, and how could their father provide it with his sheep destroyed? He had never been able to recover financially from that second destruction of his flocks.
    With a silent sigh Blaze retraced her steps back up the kitchen stairs to the main floor of the house. Moving with almost reluctant feet, she entered the family’s little chapel. Kneeling at her own little prie-dieu, she gazed up at the statue of Saint Mary, and felt her conscience prick sharply at her pride. The sweet and patient face of the stone saint seemed to reproach her for her rebellious thoughts.
    What is wrong with you? demanded her conscience. An attractive and wealthy man wishes to wed with you. Why do you behave so wickedly ?
    Because I want to be loved for me, myself, answered her pride. This man wants me because I can be a healthy brood mare and give him sons. What does he care of me? He did not even stay long enough to greet me!
    What nonsense! returned her conscience. There is but one reason for the sacrament of marriage. You have been taught it. The purpose of marriage is to have children.
    I would be loved! her pride cried.
    Love , said her conscience, will come later as you get to know one another. Love, and respect.
    I must be loved, her pride whimpered.
    Your parents love one another, her conscience reminded her. Why should it be any different for you?
    My parents knew one another before their marriage, her pride reminded her conscience.
    An unusual situation, her conscience retorted. Marriages are arranged by parents in their offspring’s best interests. Your mother is right! You are incredibly fortunate that this man is willing to have you without a dowry, and what of the sisters you profess to love? Are they not entitled to some measure of happiness? This man has generously