Seasons of Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

woods, and she hadn’t been at the market, either, last week, for Robert had made careful inquiries.
    The parents must have found out, then. Pity. There were still a few weeks to go in the town. But good things never lasted.
    But he’d have had to leave her behind, anyway, at the end of the month. So perhaps, it had saved him the trouble and tears of a parting. For he’d no intention of getting married and been secretly amused when she just assumed they would wed. He’d never met anyone as naive as Helen Merling, poor little bitch. Hardly knew what colour the sky was, that one, hadn’t even asked for presents, just a show of affection.
    ‘See you don’t offend him, then,’ Rugely warned Robert. ‘I can soon replace you, you know.
    But Northby owns half the county - and has connections in London, too.’
    At the inn, His Lordship eyed the raffish young man with extreme disfavour and didn’t ask him to sit down. ‘Hear you’ve got a young girl in trouble.’
    Robert blinked. In trouble? Oh, hell, the bitch was whelping! ‘I, my lord?’
    ‘Yes, you, damn your eyes! She’s a connection of mine, Helen Merling is, so I take this matter very seriously.’
    Robert stiffened. Damnation! If she was related to this stiff-necked lord, there would definitely be trouble. Rugely would throw a fit. So would Roxanne. ‘She’s with child?’ he asked cautiously, admitting nothing until he saw exactly how the land lay.
    ‘Didn’t I just say that?’
    ‘And she claims it’s mine?’
    His lordship thumped the table. ‘Aye, she does. Are you going to deny it? Because if so, I’ll call you a liar to your face.’
    After one look at his lordship’s empurpled countenance, Robert abandoned that idea. ‘Alas, what can I say? I was tempted and succumbed. She’s very beautiful. And was very willing. I didn’t force her.’
    Lord Northby leaned forward. ‘And also – she was very innocent. I’d bet you were the first.’
    Feeling somewhat afraid of this crusty old nobleman, Robert tried to think of something to say that would sweeten him a bit, make him see reason, but wasn’t given the chance.
    ‘Well, the matter’s quite easy to settle. You’ve had your fun, and now you’ll have to pay. She has already paid very heavily, I might add, because her father’s beaten her senseless. Back’s a bloody mess, apparently. He hit her with his belt.’
    Robert felt slightly sick at the picture this painted. He felt even more sick at the thought that the damned father might come after him next.
    Lord Northby thumped the table and his voice became even louder, ‘If you don’t do the right thing by her, Perriman, and marry the poor girl, not only will you never act in Stowby again, but neither will your company. And what’s more,’ he leaned forward and shot the words out like bullets, ‘I have enough connections in the theatrical world to ensure that your name will be blackened beyond redemption, even in London.’
    Robert stared at him open-mouthed. Impossible not to believe this threat.
    Another pause. ‘Do I make myself plain? Hey? Answer me, you dolt! Do I make myself plain?’
    ‘Yes, my lord. Very plain.’ Robert was sick to his soul at being trapped like this, when he had successfully avoided marriage until his thirtieth year. He contemplated, and as quickly rejected, the idea of making a run for it. His face was his fortune and he would easily be recognised the minute he set foot on stage.
    Another look at his lordship’s angry face and riding crop tapping furiously against a highly polished boot made him quail, and he decided there was nothing for it but to make the best of a bad case. After all, the wench did have connections. This thing might even work to his advantage.
    He drew himself up. ‘I have no intention of refusing to marry Helen. Had I known that she was with child, I would have gone to see her father at once.’
    ‘Hah!’
    ‘Unfortunately, I have to confess that the takings in Stowby have been