The Engagement - Regency Brides 02 Read Online Free PDF

son.”

    “Yes, but there is something about Katherine I must follow up on. There was such a strong connection between us that I cannot help but think God had something to do with our meeting again.”

    And he was yearning to see her again.

    “Three days, Dora! Three days have passed since I last saw Mr. Thornton! Not that his visit to Ravenhurst was very memorable, since he stayed for only a few moments!”

    Katherine complained as she paced before Theodora. The cousins had been strolling in the park and had stopped to rest-at least one of them was resting. Katherine found she could not. “We have ridden or walked to this park not once but two times a day, and nothing!” She threw her arms up in exasperation. “I must have said something to put him off. Did I not make it clear I was interested in meeting him again?”

    Theodora scanned the area around them and frowned with disapproval toward Katherine. “The whole village will know you are interested if you speak any louder.”

    Katherine stopped and returned the glare with one of her own. “Do not scold me as if Iʼm a child, Dora. My nerves have been so on edge this week that I fear turning into my mother!” She flounced herself down in a most unladylike manner, not caring one whit whether Dora disapproved or not. “And, speaking of my parents, have you not heard for yourself their conversations of a wedding between Thomas and me that will never take place? Itʼs a terrible prospect to bear, Cousin, knowing I shall break their hearts when I refuse to marry him.”

    Dora reached over and gave her hand a brief pat. Katherine knew even this little show of affection was a stretch for her rather cool cousin. “Weʼll cross that bridge when we arrive at it, Kate. We need to focus our concern now on Mr. Thornton 33

    and how we can get his attention.”

    Katherine stood again, too jittery to sit still. “Oh, why can we not forget about this stupid plan? I know I was all for it when we first spoke of it, but I did not realize how taxing it would be on all concerned.”

    Katherine was watching a lady enter the park pushing a baby carriage when she heard Theodoraʼs sigh. “When it is over and you have been vindicated, you will thank me,” she claimed, just as she always did when Katherine began to have doubts.

    Katherine thought of something else. “But what of my parents?
    They are ecstatic I am being sought by Thomas! They will disown me when I deliberately do not show for my own wedding!”

    “Then you must plant doubts about his character in their minds,” Theodora reasoned.

    “What about his character could I say? He has shown to be a gentleman in all things.”

    “He has not called on you in three days, Katherine. Start with that. Say he often neglects you and, if nothing else, lie.”

    Katherine got a sick feeling in her stomach. “Iʼm not very good at lying,” she said quietly as she turned and looked back across the park.

    “Then learn,” was Theodoraʼs harsh reply. “You can do this, Kate. You must do this.”

    “I donʼt know,” she murmured, her attention becoming more drawn to the woman who had stopped the carriage and was taking the toddler into her arms.

    “What donʼt you know?” Theodora demanded as she got up from her seat and came to stand by her.

    “Dora, who is that lady?”

    Theodora barely glanced over, clearly disinterested. “I have no idea, Katherine, but can we—“

    “Heʼs such a beautiful child, isnʼt he? And those dark brown curls are precious! I must go and have a closer look!” She started across the park, but her cousin grabbed her arm.

    “What can you be thinking, Katherine? We donʼt even know who she is! What if she is from a family that is beneath our attention?”

    Katherine pulled her arm away from Theodoraʼs grasp and shot her a pointed expression. “I did not realize you had become such a snob, Dora. I will only be a minute. You do not have to accompany me.”

    “And I shanʼt!”