Candice Hern Read Online Free PDF

carriage, and almost before they’d taken two steps the front door opened. An older woman—the housekeeper?—stood in the doorway frantically wringing her hands.
    Mrs. Tennant stopped in her tracks. “Mrs. Davies? What is it? Has something happened?”
    “You best come right in, Miz Tennant,” the woman said and cast a skeptical look in Simon’s direction. “I’m sure I don’t know what to do.”
    Clearly they had arrived in the midst of some domestic crisis. It could not be the best of times to play out his contrite little charade. “Perhaps I should go,” he said. “I could come back another time.”
    “Oh, no you don’t,” Mrs. Tennant said. “Wehave a bargain.” She astonished him by placing her hand at his back and practically shoving him up the steps and through the door.
    “What is it, Mrs. Davies?” she said when she had followed him inside. “What has happened?”
    The housekeeper glanced again at Simon and seemed reluctant to say anything.
    “This is Mr. Westover. You mustn’t worry about him. Tell me what has happened.” Mrs. Tennant’s calm demeanor suggested that her housekeeper might have indulged in melodrama a time or two in the past.
    “She’s gone, Miz Tennant. Miss Belinda’s gone.”
    Mrs. Tennant stood stiff and unmoving though her face went quite pale. It began to seem very crowded in the narrow entry hall, and Simon felt awkwardly de trop . He had a very bad feeling about this.
    “What do you mean, gone ?” Mrs. Tennant asked. “Has she gone out with friends? Or out with…with Mr. Barkwith?”
    “I don’t know where she’s gone,” the housekeeper said, “but when I went up to tidy her bedchamber, I could tell something weren’t right. Drawers were open and looked like they been rummaged. I checked her wardrobe and lots of dresses are missing. And her new bonnet.”
    “Dear God.” Mrs. Tennant reached a hand behind her to grip the edge of a hall table.
    “And then I found this, addressed to you,propped up on the inkwell on her writing desk.” Mrs. Davies held out a folded sheet of parchment sealed with red wax. “It’s from Miss Belinda. I recognize her writing.”
    Mrs. Tennant took the note and quickly broke the seal, heedless of the circle of wax sent bouncing along the hall floor. She scanned the note in an instant and looked up. Directly at Simon. There was no mistaking the rage in those eyes.
    A bolt of pure cowardice shot through him—how mortifying!—and he had a sudden urge to turn and run. But she pinned him to the spot with her gaze.
    “You!” she said. “It’s all your fault. Read this.”
    Simon glared at the parchment in her outstretched hand as though it were something slimy and noxious. He had no desire to touch it.
    “Read it.”
    She thrust it toward him so that he was forced to take it. He did not need to read it. He could predict what it would say. But her fierce glare compelled him to do as she asked. He read the note.
    Dearest Aunt Ellie,
    I have taken the wise advice of the Busybody to follow my heart’s desire and have gone away with Geoffrey. When we return, I will be Mrs. Barkwith. Please don’t be too angry. Be happy for me. I am ecstatic!
    Belinda
    Simon stifled a groan and wondered if the day could get any worse. He did not look up. He could not bear to look at her.
    “Do you see?” Mrs. Tennant said, her voice rising in anger. “Do you see what you’ve done?”
    Simon steeled himself for another blow, but it did not come. He would have welcomed it. He might actually deserve it.
    “Follow her heart, indeed,” she said in a tone of utter disgust. “Well, I suppose that is what I’m going to have to do.”
    He looked up at that and met her furious gaze. “What are you going to do?”
    “I’m going to follow her foolish heart, of course. I’m going after her. And you’re coming with me.”

Chapter 3
    A young woman of true merit need not repine lack of social opportunity. She is unlikely to remain forever