Josette Read Online Free PDF Page A

expect it to be me. I’m only seventeen.”
    “And marriage is all you’ve thought about since the day you were born. I’m not interested in that droll institution, and who says Edward will have either of us?”
    “But what will we do?” cried Amy. “Where will we go?”
    “Don’t be absurd.”  
    “Cousin Edward will get Beddingfield Park,” sniffled Amy. “We’ll have no fortune, and no one will want us.”
    “We’ll have fortune enough.” Impatiently, Josette tried to push away the rational thoughts that deluged her. She could not think about the future now.
    “I’m ruined,” hiccupped Amy after moments of mutual grief. “The Season is over before it’s begun. Why did he have to die before the Season?”
    Something deep inside of Josette snapped. She seized her sister by the shoulders. “You had your Season, you selfish chit!”
    Amy tugged away. “I can’t go to parties now. I’ll have to wait until Easter. He’s ruined everything.” Perfect curls shook adamantly with each thrust of her stubborn chin.
    Crack!
    The sound of Josette’s palm striking her sister’s cheek reverberated like lightening. “Don’t you ever say that again. ” Her voice was hard and shaking.
    Amy crumbled to the floor with hands over her face. She whimpered like a wounded puppy. In the darkness across the room, a sudden groan from the chair at George’s writing table made Josette spin about.
    Captain Carter stepped into the firelight. A broad specter, his face reflected an expression of disapproval. Josette swallowed, mortified at what she had done and that he had witnessed it. Amy’s sobs seemed to repeat the abominable act over and over.
    “Get up,” Josette said softly, but her gaze did not leave the captain’s face. She grabbed Amy by the arm and pulled her to her feet. “Go to bed.”
    Amy allowed herself to be steered toward the door, unaware their quarrel had been observed. Josette waited until Amy hurried crying down the hall before shutting the door softly and whirling on Carter.
    “How dare you spy on us!” she hissed.
    “I was not spying.” Carter’s countenance held no remorse, yet Josette detected a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes. They should have been black holes in the dark room but they seemed to glow.
    “You could have made yourself known. That was a privileged conversation between my sister and myself .”
    “You interrupted me , Miss Price.”
    “And what right have you to be in my brother’s room?”
    “As much a right as you.”
    Josette felt her eyes nearly pop from her head. The man had a way of infuriating her as quickly as a blow came to sea.
    “You are a guest in this house. That does not give you the right to lurk about in private chambers.” His hours spent with Amy in the drawing room came to mind. “Nor,” she added, “ does it give you the right to dally with my sister.”
    Carter stiffened. A flash of anger streaked across his face and for the first time Josette felt slightly afraid. Now she might see the man who would order ten lashes for drunkenness, or worse, the man who could run down a ship twice as large as his own.
    “If you imply, madam, that I led her to believe I had any romantic intentions, you are mistaken.”
    “Am I?” Josette gave him a challenging glare. “And what about my father? What are your intentions with him? Did you come for his forgiveness or do you think to take my brother’s place?”
    This last query was a new idea that came into Josette’s mind from nowhere, and so considering it, she watched Carter’s face carefully. It seemed to turn with a wheel of emotions.
    “I came to Beddingfield Park to pay my respects. Nothing more.”
    Josette realized she was trembling. Everything that came out of this so-called gentlemen’s mouth seemed to cut her very soul.
    Captain Carter’s voice returned to its flat, emotionless timbre. “I will be gone by morning.”
    “See that you are.” Josette swept out of the room with her