Ghosts of Winters Past Read Online Free PDF

you think it strange h is g race never wrote me while he was on the Continent?” Emma studied her mother, searching for any sign of recognition or guilt. Anything that would give away a part in keeping her estranged from Henry. Her mother’s eyebrows wrinkled as though she were contemplating the question, but nothing appeared questionable in her demeanor.
    “Men are always odd in their ways,” her mother finally said. “Who knows why they do what they do?”
    “But to be gone for five years and then show up so … determined.”
    “That’s not at all odd . I t’s normal. Most men are quite determined. Your father certainly was.”
    She didn’t want to talk about her father . S he wanted to keep the focus on Henry and why someone would have wanted to keep them apart for five years.
    “Where is F ather?” It wasn’t out of the ordinary for him not to be at breakfast, but she realized she hadn’t seen him much of late.
    Not since Henry had returned, that was .
    “He went out with his new steward this morning. Something about contracts.”
    When her mother put it that way, it didn’t seem at all strange her father had been out of sight. He had much to do with his new employee.
    “What are you and h is g race doing today?”
    “We’re going to go for a ride with some of the older boys from the home. Bess is coming with us.”
    “I never did like you spending all that time with those children. I hope now that someone is showing an interest in you, you’ll spend time with those of your own age and station.”
    And just like that, she felt it reasonable to think her mother had nothing to do with the missing letters. Surely she could not have been the one to hide Henry’s letters if she was so happy Emma was spending time with him.
    “Mother, you know I enjoy my time at the orphanage . I’m not going to stop just because some man is back in London.”
    “He is not some man.”
    She wasn’t in the mood to hear a lecture from her mother on Henry. Not with the memory of his arms around her still so fresh she could almost feel them. What would her mother say if she’d seen her outside last night?
    Not only that, what would she say if Emma admitted she was counting down to when she might feel his arms again?

 

Chapter Four
     
    Henry pulled up to her house right at ten o’clock. Bess and the boys waited outside while he collected her.
    Emma couldn’t help the grin that broke out on her face when she saw him.
    “Lady Emmaline. How beautiful you look this morning.”
    She curtsied. “Thank you, y our g race.”
    Henry , she wanted to say, but didn’t. There were servants nearby.
    His eyes told her he felt the same.
    Instead, he winked at her and held out his arm. She took it and allowed herself to be helped into his carriage. The boys and Bess, she noticed, rode in a separate one behind them.
    “Very circumspective of you, y our g race,” she said once she was tucked in blankets and they were on their way.
    His eyes danced with merriment. “Indeed. I am often complimented on such.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “All in good time. All in good time.”
    For once, she didn’t feel the need to argue with him. She leaned her head back, enjoying the feel of the cold breeze on her face and the warmth of Henry pressed against her side. The realization that she could grow accustomed to such outings with him didn’t shock or scare her as it might have a few days earlier.
    “Not falling asleep on me, are you?” he asked.
    “No, just enjoying.”
    He scooted closer and she smiled at the nearness. They rode in silence , and it didn’t take long to realize they were traveling outside the city. Little by little, the carriages passing them grew fewer and fewer.
    “I know,” she said as they passed a lone rider. “You are kidnapping us.”
    “Indeed. I shall keep you to myself forever.”
    It felt as if her heart grew wings. If only he could keep her forever. She schooled her reply. “Laura will be horrified,