Her Own Rules Read Online Free PDF

you,” Pete said, nodding to the driver, smiling at him. “I’ll help you with Mrs. Stratton’s bags.”
    “Evening, Mr. O’Brien, but I can manage. There’s nothing much to carry.”
    Meredith left the two men to deal with the bags, and ran up the steps.
    “It’s good to be back here, Blanche!”
    The two women embraced and then Blanche, smiling up at Meredith, led her inside. “And it’s good to have you back, Meredith, if only for one night.”
    “I wish I could stay longer, but as I explained on the phone, I’ve got to get back to the city after the meeting at Hilltops tomorrow.”
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    Blanche nodded. “I think you’re going to make a deal with the Morrisons. They’re awfully eager to buy an inn, get away from New York, lead a different kind of life.”
    “I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Meredith said, shrugging out of her heavy gray wool cape, throwing it down on a bench.
    “I know you’ll like them, they’re a lovely couple, very sincere, straight as a dye, and quite aside from wanting to start a new business, they love this part of Connecticut.”
    “And why not, it’s God’s own country,” Meredith murmured. She glanced around the entrance hall.
    “Everything looks wonderful, Blanche, so warm, welcoming.”
    Blanche beamed at her. “Thanks, Meredith, you know I love this old place as much as you do. Anyway, you must be starving. I didn’t think you’d want a full dinner at this late hour, so I made some smoked sal-mon sandwiches, and there’s fruit and cheese. Oh and I have a hunter’s soup bubbling on the stove.”
    “The soup sounds great. You make the best, and they’re usually a meal in themselves. I’m sure Jonas is hungry after the long drive, so perhaps you’d offer him the soup too, and some sandwiches.”
    “I will.”
    Pete came in with Meredith’s overnight bag and briefcase. “Jonas has gone to park the car,” he explained. “I’ll take these upstairs.”
    “Thanks, Pete,” Meredith said.
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    “I’ve put you in the toile de Jouy suite,” Blanche told her, “because I know how much you like it. Now, do you want a tray up there? Or shall I bring it to the bar parlor?”
    “I’ll have it down here in the parlor, thanks, Blanche,” Meredith said, peering into the room that opened off the inn’s large entrance hall. “I see you have a fire going…that’s nice. I think I’ll make myself a drink. Would you like one, Blanche?”
    “Why not. I’ll join you in a vodka and tonic. But first let me go and fix a tray for Jonas, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She hurried off in the direction of the kitchen.
    Meredith went into the bar parlor, glancing around as she strolled over to the huge stone hearth at the far end of the room. The fire burning brightly, the red carpet, the red velvet sofas and tub chairs covered in red and cream linen, gave the parlor a warm, rosy feeling. This was further enhanced by the red brocade curtains at the leaded windows, the polished mahogany paneled walls, and the red shades on the wall sconces.
    It was a slightly masculine room in feeling and rather English in overtone; there was a mellowness about it that Meredith had always liked.
    The carved mahogany bar was to the left of the fireplace, facing the leaded windows. Meredith went behind it, took two glasses, added ice, and poured a good measure of Stolichnaya Cristal into each one.
    She smiled to herself when she noticed the small plate of lime wedges next to the ice bucket. Blanche 40 / Barbara Taylor Bradford
    had second-guessed her very accurately. Her old friend had known she would have her drink in here. The bar parlor had always been a favorite spot of hers in the inn, as it was with everyone, because it was so intimate and cozy. And conducive to drinking. Jack had been smart when he had created the bar parlor.
    Once she had made the drinks, Meredith went over to the fireplace. She stood with her back to it, enjoying the