Breaking the Rules Read Online Free PDF Page A

Ursula, m’dear, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. Why on earth are you lurking at the door? Come on in.”
    Feeling a little embarrassed to have been perceived before she was quite ready to make her presence known, Ursula went in. “Hello, Father,” she said, but her gaze was upon his companion.
    Bellamy Taynton was in his early thirties, tall and well made, with patrician features that might have seemed more appropriate at Almack’s than at a country inn. His eyes were a very pale blue, his flaxen hair was combed back from his face, and he wore a faded indigo coat, fawn breeches, and top boots. Such attire was plain enough, but in his neckcloth there was a gold pin such as any London lord would be pleased to wear, and on his lapel was pinned a handsome nosegay of woodland flowers, bluebells, wood anemones, and violets. There was a half-smile upon his lips, and his eyes bore a bland expression that made him a closed book. Everything about him made her want to shiver.
    Mr. Elcester came to kiss his daughter’s cheek. He was unlike Taynton in almost every respect, shorter and broader, with hair that was now little more than a gray monastic tonsure. His pine green riding jacket had flat brass buttons and a velvet collar, and his cream corduroy breeches were of very fine quality. He wore a mustard-colored waistcoat, and his neckcloth also sported a gold pin, but it was more modest than the innkeeper’s. His bushy-browed face was amiable, but his tired hazel eyes showed the strain of the past months. “How is Mrs. Arrowsmith?” he inquired.
    “Very well, and the babies are the bonniest I have ever seen.”
    “With such saintly parents, they are most likely cherubs.” Mr. Elcester chuckled.
    “Mrs. Arrowsmith thinks so.”
    “No doubt.”
    Ursula smiled across the room at Vera. “Hello, Vera.”
    The young woman bobbed a quick curtsy. “Miss Ursula.” Her voice was low and clear, and because of her well-bred mother, far more well-spoken than her father’s.
    Mr. Elcester hastened to do the honors between his daughter and the innkeeper. “M’dear, allow me to present Mr. Bellamy Taynton. Taynton, this is my daughter, Ursula.”
    The innkeeper bowed courteously. “Miss Elcester.”
    “Sir,” she replied bluntly, fixing him with a glare that was disapproving because of both Vera and the squirrel.
    Her father glanced at her in surprise. “Is something wrong, m’dear?”
    “I couldn’t help noticing the squirrel.” She couldn’t very well mention her displeasure over Vera as well.
    “Squirrel?” Her father hadn’t seen.
    “Over there by the barrels.”
    Mr. Elcester turned. “Good God, an albino!” he cried.
    Ursula shook her head. “Not quite, for its head is red and eyes are green.”
    “So they are.” Her father turned to Taynton. “Where did you get it?”
    “Oh, I’ve had it for quite some time.” The innkeeper turned to Ursula, and for a moment she saw a fleeting glint of annoyance in his pale eyes. “The creature comes to no harm, I assure you, Miss Elcester. Indeed, it is much loved, so you do not need to fear for its comfort.”
    Ursula was unimpressed, as the brief glint in her eyes bore full witness. Much-loved creature or not, one only had to look at the squirrel to know it was miserable! Battle lines were drawn in those few seconds, and she could tell that Taynton wasn’t accustomed to defiance, least of all from a woman. She disliked him more with each second, and found it impossible to believe that someone as sweet as Vera could possibly find him worth the sacrifice of her good name.
    The innkeeper changed the subject rather pointedly. “I understand you are soon to be married, Miss Elcester.”
    She was startled. How did he know? Her father was unlikely to have mentioned it to him, and Daniel Pedlar certainly wouldn’t. Nor would the blacksmith have told Vera, because she had left for the Green Man before the marriage was suggested.
    Mr. Elcester was taken aback as