Storm at Marshbay Read Online Free PDF

to the ocean and the marsh. I’ve spent my entire life here and I’m afraid I don’t know much about life in the city.”
    “Nothing wrong with that,” he said. “My father was an outgoing man.  He made friends everywhere he went. When the house was being built he insisted that only local labor be used in the construction. He was very pleased with the results and it made him popular with local residents.”
    “The workers undoubtedly respected and liked him and wanted to do a good job because of that.”
    Ian nodded and smiled.
    “Your father sounds like a nice man.”
    “We all miss him.” He cleared his throat as if he were suddenly self-conscious or perhaps emotional. I stared across at him, wondering about his reaction. But he didn’t look up or make any explanation.
    After a light dessert I felt lazy and relaxed. I could have spread the tablecloth beneath the trees and taken a nap.
    Coffee was served and then the servants disappeared discreetly leaving us completely alone.
    Somehow, though, I had a feeling we were not alone. There were so many windows facing the courtyard that anyone could be watching us.
    I felt a shiver cross my shoulders as I glanced around.
    “Are you cold?” he asked. He stood up and took a soft white shawl from one of the chairs. Without waiting for a reply he placed it around my shoulders. His hands lingered for a moment.
    When he sat down he looked straight at me, his eyes unwavering.
    He shook his head and then an odd little smile played across his lips.
    “What?” I asked.
    “Nothing,” he said. “Just that you’re a very beautiful woman and I don’t think you are even aware of that, are you?”
    He looked at my mouth and I knew he wanted to kiss me. For a moment the world around us melted away as if no one existed except us.
    He swallowed and made a gruff noise in his throat.
    “There are things I need to tell you,” he began. “About me, about my life.”
    “You seem to assume my answer to your question is yes,” I said.
    “Would you have come if that were not a distinct possibility?”
    His confidence always shook me a little, but I let it go. I didn’t want to argue; I wanted the matter settled.
    “All right,” I said. “I will admit that. I came today to hear what you have to say.”
     “The most important thing I have to say, Isabella, is this. You are a beautiful, interesting woman. You are intelligent; it fairly radiates from your face when you speak. You seem kind, a loving and devoted daughter. You seem to like Marshbay and the surrounding land and ocean. Any man would be lucky and proud to have you for a wife. If we go forward with this, I want you to know I consider this a real and honest marriage proposal in every way.”
    I felt my cheeks flush, still I kept my gaze on his.
    “I would like you to consider it as if there had been no wager between our fathers.”
    My mouth opened, but I could not speak. I saw him smile and he leaned back in his chair, his lips quirking.
    “What are you saying?”
    “I won’t speak of love,” he said, with a lift of his brows. “It’s too soon for you, I’m sure and I would never lead any young lady to believe something is there when it isn’t.”
     “I don’t require love.” I heard myself say and was appalled. What was I saying? Of course I required love. It was what I had argued with my mother about. I would, though, never grovel for the lack of it. I would never let him think I wanted his love if he wasn’t willing to give it. But deep down inside I wondered if I could be falling in love with this enigmatic man after knowing him only a few days. Was that even possible?
    His smile widened. “Despite the circumstances of our meeting, I think there was something between us from the very beginning. Even you have to admit that. Besides I’ve been a bachelor too long. It becomes tiring being alone after awhile. Who knows? Perhaps our friendship might one day develop into love. What man doesn’t want to