No Other Love Read Online Free PDF

of thing.”
    Rose stood rooted to the floor, staring at him.
    “I don’t understand why you care one way or another,” she said at last, dropping her eyes.
    “I don’t know either,” he said, a note of rough confusion in his voice. “But is it so terrible?”
    She raised her eyes to his and immediately wished she hadn’t, for in his intent brown gaze she saw a heat she couldn’t help but respond to. Whether from anger or confusion, her cheeks heated and her heart pounded.
    Will had never once made her feel this way. Why must this man, of all people?
    Thoroughly out of her depth, Rose nevertheless knew she had to take control of the situation or risk disaster. Her voice was quiet and firm when she spoke, not even a quiver betraying her inner turmoil.
    “I’m nearly betrothed to a man back home. But even were I not, I’m a servant in your father’s house, Mr. Fletcher. If you insist on giving me unwaranted attention, you will only make things more difficult for me, and possibly cost me my position. I beg you to leave me be.”
    A bleak silence greeted this harsh speech. It was several seconds before Mr. Fletcher spoke.
    “I see. I have no wish to cause you distress,” he replied stiffly, his eyes shuttering. “I shall bother you no more.”
    With that he turned and left the room, his limp a silent accusation. As soon as he was gone Rose began to shake. Everything depended on her remaining in the Fletcher’s employ, but she might very well have insulted Mr. Fletcher beyond endurance. For all she knew he was on his way to speak to Mrs. Craig about dismissing her. If only she’d explained things rationally, without goading him. It was unlike her to lose her temper so.
    Looking down she saw that she’d dropped the book. Bending over she picked it up, gently set it on the table, and left the room.
    ***
    “Luke,” Charlotte called, her voice more command than greeting.
    Luke stopped, one foot on the bottom stair step, desperate to escape to his own bedchamber. Biting back a sigh, he reluctantly turned around and faced Charlotte.
    Not for the first time he wished his father had chosen someone more generous and less concerned with appearances to share his later years. Jonas seemed happy enough and Charlotte did no real harm, but just speaking to her put him on edge, and after the unpleasant episode with Rose he had no desire to engage in conversation with her. But they were living in the same house for the time being, and that meant they had to tolerate one another until his work on the railroad was completed.
    “Yes, Charlotte?” he replied, forcing a polite smile.
    Charlotte approached him, the skirts of her blue dress rustling with each step. With her dark, only slightly graying hair pulled back in a severe coiffure and her strand of pearls, she was every inch the mistress of the house.
    “What's this I hear about you asking Mrs. Craig to change the new maid’s duties? Please tell me you did no such thing.”
    It seemed there was no end to the fuss over what he’d considered a minor request. He tried to quell his impatience over having to account for his actions, and instead endeavored to answer her with as much equanimity as he could muster.
    “Unfortunately, I can give you no such assurance. However, I meant no affront to Mrs. Craig or to you. I only thought she’d be better suited to something other than scullery maid. Surely no harm was done?”
    Luke watched the indecision work in Charlotte’s expression as she hesitated, as if unsure whether to be angry or to dismiss the incident as unimportant.
    He sighed as Charlotte's mouth thinned. Bitterness had won out again.
    “You needn't concern yourself with a servant girl. If you must have your sport with one, at least choose one from another household.”
    This was insulting on so many levels that Luke chose to ignore it altogether. Clearly he’d misjudged the consequences of his request. It wouldn’t happen again.
    “Much as I’m enjoying our