Shattered Rainbows Read Online Free PDF

did."
    Her beauty had struck him like a blow to the heart. Her compassion struck a second, harder blow, for years of war had made him treasure gentleness. He took a deep, slow breath before replying. "Callousness is easier. Yet even though it hurts more, there is much to be said for remembering the uniqueness and worth of each person whose life touches ours."
    She gave him a measured glance. "You understand, don't you? Most soldiers find it better not to." More briskly, she continued, "Our destination is that house on the corner. Rentals are low in Brussels, so we were able to get a place with a nice garden for the children, plenty of stable room, and even a carriage for a ridiculously low amount."
    The large, handsome house was surrounded by a wall. Michael opened the gate for Catherine, then beckoned to his servants, who were ambling quietly behind them. His young batman, Bradley, had eyes as large as saucers as he stared at Catherine. Michael could hardly blame him when he himself felt the same way.
    Calmly ignoring the boy's smitten expression, Catherine described the household, then waved the two men toward the stables behind the house. The vulnerability she had shown earlier was gone, leaving her a well-organized army wife again.
    As she led Michael inside, three children and two dogs came sweeping down the stairs in a stampede of small but astonishingly noisy feet. A bright soprano said, "We've finished our lessons, Mama, so can we please play in the garden?"
    While the children and a long, low-slung dog swirled around Catherine, the other dog, a splotchy beast of indeterminate ancestry, began barking at Michael. Laughter in her voice, Catherine said, "Silence, please, or we'll drive Major Kenyon to another billet. Clancy, stop barking." Michael's opinion of her went still higher when not only the children but the dog fell abruptly silent.
    Catherine put an arm around the taller girl, who appeared to be about ten. "This is my daughter, Amy. Amy, Major Lord Michael Kenyon. He will be staying here."
    He bowed gravely. "Miss Melbourne."
    The girl gave a graceful curtsy. She had her mother's striking aqua eyes and dark hair. "A pleasure, Major Kenyon."
    Catherine continued, "And this is Miss Molly Mowbry and Master James Mowbry."
    Both children had red hair and lively expressions. Mary must be eight or nine, her brother a couple of years younger. Like Amy, they had impeccable manners.
    After curtsying, Molly said, "You're a lord?"
    "It's only a courtesy title," he replied. "My father is a duke, but I won't be a real lord, since I have an older brother."
    "Oh." Molly digested that. "Captain Wilding is teaching us to draw. Do you know anything useful?"
    Amy elbowed her and hissed, "Don't ask such questions."
    Molly blinked her large hazel eyes. "Was that rude?"
    Michael smiled. "Only because I'm afraid I don't have any interesting skills."
    "No?" she said with disappointment.
    He tried to think what might interest a child. Certainly not mining or investment strategy. "Well, I can tell when a storm is coming, but I don't think I can teach it to anyone else."
    Her face brightened. "You could
try
."
    Catherine intervened. "The major needs to get settled. You three go outside, and take Clancy and Louis the Lazy with you."
    Michael watched in bemusement as the children and dogs obeyed. "Louis the Lazy?"
    A voice from the stairs said, "He's the long, lethargic hound. Mostly he sleeps. It's his only talent."
    He looked up to see a small-boned, pretty redhead descending the steps. With a smile, she said, "I'm Anne Mowbry."
    After the introductions, they talked for a few minutes, until Anne said candidly, "Please excuse me. I'm in the family way again, and at the stage where all I want to do is sleep."
    Michael was amused by her frankness. She was attractive, friendly, and charming. And, blessedly, she didn't scramble his wits the way Catherine did.
    After Anne took her leave, Catherine began to ascend the stairs. "Your room is up