Glimmer of Hope Read Online Free PDF

surprise.
    “Mother should arrive quite late this afternoon,” Carter said. “The other guests are not expected until tomorrow.”
    Miranda chewed on her lower lip, a mannerism he remembered well. She did that whenever she thought hard about something. It was the first glimpse he’d seen since he’d arrived of the Miranda he remembered.
    Don’t be fooled by it. She seemed sweet and adorable and kind before, and you know how that turned out.
    “I am walking to the home farm,” she said. “It is cold, and the ground is still a little wet.”
    You need to reach some kind of truce , he reminded himself. “Will you allow me to accompany you?”
    “If you wish” was Miranda’s less-than-enthusiastic response as she began walking again.
    Carter bit back a twinge of disappointment. He told himself her feelings, or lack of, didn’t matter to him.
    “Have you walked to the home farm before?” Carter asked, matching her indifferent tone.
    Miranda nodded but didn’t look at him.
    They continued walking in awkward silence. A hint of pink had risen in her cheeks, but Carter couldn’t say if it was the result of exertion or discomfort at having him nearby. Either way, he was inexplicably glad to see her looking a little less pale.
    That would never do! he chided himself. Being kind was one thing. Being empathetic was something else entirely. He’d been gammoned by her before. Carter wasn’t about to let Miranda dupe him again.
    They reached the quaint farm in silence. Carter was pleased to see that the small home looked well kept up. A man, probably not too many years older than Carter—thirty, perhaps—stood just inside the doors of a tall wooden barn and was cleaning the hooves of a healthy-looking workhorse. Otherwise, the farm seemed empty.
    She was visiting a man, a young, relatively good-looking man, alone? And she’d done so several times? Willing even to trudge through the mud for a visit? Carter felt his jaw tighten even as he told himself he didn’t care.
    The man noticed their approach and made his way to the gate, opening it for them.
    “Mr. Milton,” Miranda greeted in the excessively tranquil manner Carter realized was now typical for her. She’d been quiet before, but there had always been a spark of feeling in her voice when she spoke. Now it was almost as if she were sleepwalking. He didn’t like it.
    “Lady Devereaux.” Mr. Milton greeted her with a friendly expression, tempered by an appropriately humble bow.
    “Carter, this is Mr. Milton.” Miranda began the introductions with her usual unreadable expression and tone. “Mr. Milton. My husband, Lord Devereaux.”
    Carter received an enthusiastic welcome. “Well, won’t Harriet be that pleased!” Mr. Milton led Miranda and Carter up the path to the front door. “Lord Devereaux’s come to Clifton Manor after all these years.”
    Had he been expected? That hardly seemed likely. Carter shot a glance at Miranda. She didn’t look nearly as confused as he felt. If anything she looked embarrassed. Odd.
    “Mrs. Milton.” Miranda greeted the young woman who stood just inside the door of the cottage as they entered.
    She was very small and very young and, apparently, Mr. Milton’s wife— the Mr. Milton Miranda had seemingly been visiting. Which meant, of course, that she had been visiting the Milton family . Why that pleased Carter, he was not willing to ponder.
    “Lady Devereaux.” The woman’s gaze darted momentarily to Carter, a look of confusion mixed with curiosity in her eyes.
    Miranda repeated the same introductions she’d made earlier, and Mrs. Milton’s eyes grew large.
    “Oh, milady,” Mrs. Milton said, her voice clogged with tears. “How happy you must be!”
    The color rose ever higher in Miranda’s cheeks. “I’ve finished the blanket for Mary.” Miranda handed her basket to the tiny woman. “Now little George will not need to give his up.”
    “He’ll be that pleased to hear it, milady.” Mrs. Milton motioned