Sons and Daughters Read Online Free PDF Page B

easier, but she was still determined to see the boy’s father. ‘Is Mr Thornton at home?’
    ‘I believe so. He’ll be in the room he’s had fitted out as his study.’ Her face clouded. ‘He spends a lot of his time on his own since his poor wife died.’
    ‘You’ve been with him a long time?’
    ‘Ever since they were married. Mrs Thornton appointed me when she set up house. Lovely lady, she was. So sad.’
    ‘What – I mean – when did she die?’
    ‘Three days after little Georgie was born. She got the childbed fever.’
    ‘How dreadful.’
    ‘The master’s never got over it and I don’t think he ever will.’
    ‘He must have loved her very much,’ Charlotte said huskily.
    ‘Oh he did, he did.’ The cook sat a moment, lost in memories in which Charlotte could have no part. Then she shook herself and heaved herself to her feet as Lily came back into the room.
    ‘I’ve told the master you’re here, miss, and he says to take you up.’
    Suddenly, the churning stomach and the sweaty palms were back, but Charlotte rose, thanked the cook for her hospitality, and followed Lily up the back stairs and into the hallway. The housemaid led the way to a door on the right-hand side and knocked. She opened the door and announced, ‘Miss Charlotte Crawford, sir.’
    Charlotte stepped into the room and the door closed behind her.
    Miles Thornton was seated behind a large mahogany desk, with his back to the long windows overlooking the front lawns. The room was more like a small library than a study, for most of the wall space was lined from floor to ceiling with shelves of books. There was a large marble fireplace on one wall. Above it hung a huge oil painting of a beautiful woman. Charlotte couldn’t help staring at the lovely face framed by blond curling hair. The woman’s mouth curved in a sweet smile and her blue eyes seemed to follow everyone in the room. This was Miles Thornton’s late wife and Georgie’s likeness to her was unmistakable.
    Charlotte tore her gaze away and let her glance rest on the big dog stretched full length on the rug. It raised its head and growled softly, but at a word from its master it was silent, though it remained watchful and wary.
    Miles rose, came around the desk and held out his hand. His face creased in a smile, but Charlotte noticed that the sadness deep in his brown eyes didn’t quite disappear. Now she knew why. This man was still mourning the loss of his beloved wife six years earlier.
    ‘Good morning, Miss Crawford. Please come and sit down – if you can find your way around Duke.’ Miles gestured towards one of the two wing chairs that were placed one on either side of the hearth.
    Charlotte smiled nervously and went towards one of the chairs. It was not the dog of whom she was afraid, but the man. She bent and held out her hand towards the animal.
    ‘I wouldn’t. He’s not very friendly towards strangers. He’s—’ Miles stopped mid-sentence and stared in astonishment. His temperamental guard dog was actually licking the hand of this woman.
    ‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ he muttered. ‘I’d never have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.’
    Mesmerized, he sat down in the other chair, still staring at his dog. Now, Charlotte was scratching Duke’s head and the animal was gazing up at her with a bemused expression.
    Miles chuckled suddenly; a deep, infectious sound. ‘Are you a witch?’
    Charlotte relaxed a little. ‘No. I just seem to have an affinity with animals.’ She forbore to add that she felt more at ease with animals and children than she did with adults. Especially strangers and, even more particularly, men. The thought reminded her of the reason for her visit and nerves gripped her once more.
    ‘I’ve come to apologize,’ she began, never one to put off doing whatever had to be done. ‘Georgie got into a fight yesterday at Sunday school and I feel responsible.’
    ‘You? How come?’
    She repeated what she had said to