Kissed by Starlight Read Online Free PDF

marriage, yet Lady Stavely could not forgive it. It had perhaps not been wise of Lord Stavely to flaunt the fruit of his unsanctified union before the eyes of his wife. But Lord Stavely had done it from kindness, picking Felicia up from the slum where she had dwelt with her natural mother.
    Felicia had not looked for love, but she’d found it with her first sight of Hamdry Manor. The house had welcomed her, as the mistress of it did not. But Felicia had not felt Lady Stavely’s hatred until Clarice’s “accident.”
    “My daughter was very much upset at your illness. There were some tactless comments passed by the servants.... Clarice overheard.”
    “So I understood. She will forget now that I am better.”
    Lady Stavely looked toward the door. “My daughter has been to see you?”
    “Yes, she came for a moment.”
    The slow, even voice dropped for an instant. “Unwise,” she said. “We shall hope there are no ill effects.”
    “She has not fallen ill since her accident,” Felicia said.
    “No.” Lady Stavely moved away to seat herself in an armchair. Her back remained perfectly straight, disdaining to touch the cushion. Not more than five feet two inches tall, she bore herself with queenly elegance. A greater contrast to her bounding, joyful daughter could not have been found.
    “If you are not too tired, Felicia, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you. Mr. Ashton made the attempt to speak to you before but you put him off.”
    “I am rather tired,” Felicia said, though she knew that Lady Stavely meant to have her say out no matter what. It was always thus. Even when speaking to her lover that day, it had been Lady Stavely who’d given the orders, despite the piping of “Matilda, Matilda” from Mr. Ashton.
    “I shall not keep you long. As you may know, your father left some debts. They are not overly large, but with the diminution of income inherent on the death of the master of a household—do try to pay some heed to what I am saying!”
    Though she knew that nothing offended Lady Stavely more than inattention, Felicia had not acted out of malice. She hadn’t had any intention of closing her eyes. One      moment she was looking at Lady Stavely, the next she was again deeply asleep.
    She awoke to the sound of an angry voice and, until she recognized it, kept her eyes tight shut.
    “Against my orders, I find that half the household has been traipsing through my patient’s bedroom! Is it not enough, Lady Stavely, that I’ve been at pains to save this girl’s life? Do you expect me to perform the same miracle twice?”
    “Doctor Danby?” Felicia pitched her voice to carry into the hall.
    He came bustling in, the only hair on his head a pair of eyebrows as elaborately plumed as an egret’s. His wire spectacles spent more time on the end of his nose than in front of his eyes. He peered over them at her now.
    “Hmmm, you’re looking well for a girl who was at Death’s door but yestere’en. What have you to say for yourself, my fine miss?”
    “I feel ever so much better. I suppose Death wouldn’t have me.”
    “He knew I’d come after him and pull you back. I’ve lost one in this house; as I told Lady Stavely, I don’t mean to lose another!” He plunked his worn leather bag down on the bed and rummaged briskly inside. “I’ll listen to your heart to be sure there’s been no strain. You needn’t worry about that, though, I feel sure of it. You’re young and strong; this illness only got a grip on you through your grief.”
    “Yes, I’m sure you are right.” Just past the doctor’s shoulder, Felicia could see Miss Liza’s grim face. She stood inside the doorway, her small black eyes never leaving the doctor and his patient. Felicia tried to ignore the presence of the maid. Yet waves of disapproval emanated from the woman as the doctor performed his examination.
    Felicia knew that Liza did not stand there as chaperon for an innocent young girl. On the contrary, she was