His Impassioned Proposal (The Bridgethorpe Brides) Read Online Free PDF

probably due to her mother keeping her from the sun. They had spent so many summers playing in the meadows, riding on the lanes. He saw no sign of the tiny freckles that once scattered across her cheeks.
    When he looked deeper, however, he saw the sadness that remained in her eyes.
    “I should like to get to know you again, Stephen. We have both changed. I fear we no longer suit.”
    The band restraining his breath tightened. She confirmed his worst fears. But were his actions of the prior night responsible, or had she been feeling this way for some time? “I understand your concerns. We were children, with nothing more than a strong friendship between us. I have some business to address, so I must away for a short time, but I’ll return as soon as I am able, and call on you again, with your permission.”
    Jane turned away to look out the window. “Lady Carrington is hosting a house party in two weeks, and Mother and I will be attending. I understand there will be some young men there my mother wishes me to meet.”
    “I see.”
    “Hannah and I still ride almost every day. I do miss the times we all rode together across the meadows.”
    Was she hinting that she would like him to join them? “Once I retrieve Bedivere, we can ride until the weather turns cold.”
    “That would be lovely.”
    He drew in a deep breath. “Jane, you would tell me plainly if I had no chance with you, wouldn’t you?”
    She lowered her chin to her chest and toyed with her handkerchief. “I don’t wish to add to the pain you are suffering, Stephen. But I believe I have built you up in my dreams to be someone you are not. I wonder if the kinder thing would be to tell you now I intend to take someone else’s offer.”
    Closing his eyes, he let her words sink in. Her heart belonged to another.
    “Yet that wouldn’t be true, either. I haven’t decided on anyone .”
    Her emphasis rang clear. He had no better chance than the rest of the men paying suit.
    She continued. “I meant what I said when I agreed to get to know you again. Your friendship has always been important to me.”
    He nodded once. “Well, then. Perhaps when I return, you would enjoy riding out with David, Hannah and me. As old friends.” That sounded colder to his ears than he meant it, but he was eager to get away and finish the horrible tasks awaiting him. Unsure how long he could keep his disappointment hidden, he said, “I must be off. I’m returning to Larkspur Cottage.”
    Her eyes quickly flooded, but she blinked the tears away. “Will one of your cousins be going with you?”
    “No. Knightwick and David both offered, but this is something I’d prefer to do alone. Once I see how badly the house is damaged, I can make plans. I will inquire if there is a cottage to let in Brookhouse Green, if necessary, to live in while I rebuild.”
    “I understand. I hate to think of you there, alone, when you see your home. And to be on your own through what you must do in the coming days, but you always did prefer to work alone. You will send word to your cousins if they can be of assistance?”
    “Yes, of course. The one thing I have learned in my years in the cavalry is that there are times when one needs to accept the help offered. I will be glad of the offers, should the need arise.”

Chapter Four

    Jane stood under the portico watching Stephen ride away. He turned back once and waved, then rode beyond the curve and out of sight.
    Unable to prevent the emotions that unleashed, Jane blotted her tears with her handkerchief and hurried back to the library before the servants could see. She dived onto the window seat and buried her face in a pillow, letting loose the pain and the tears.
    Her mother’s voice at her side startled her. “Is it done then? Did he break it off?”
    She shook her head and spoke into the pillow. “No.”
    The padded seat near Jane’s hip sank under her mother’s weight and the woman stroked her arm. “Then these are happy tears. I must