The Viscount Needs a Wife Read Online Free PDF Page A

notes.
    The carriage halted as the postilions asked the way. Kitty could have told them the parsonage lay behind the church at the end of the tree-lined lane to their left, but she let them find out for themselves.
    In the center of the green stood a stone plinth. Thatmust be the memorial to three brothers killed in the Civil War. It had been erected by another grieving mother, the Lady Dauntry of the time, who’d lost all three sons to the cruelest kind of war. Two of the Braydon brothers had fought for the Royalists, but one had sided with Parliament. The recent wars had lasted longer than the Civil War, but had been abroad and less harrowing in that way.
    The carriage turned down the lane, and soon the brick house came into view, looking exactly as it had in a sketch Ruth had sent. The chaise turned in front, and she saw Ruth coming out with her little boy by her side—a plumper Ruth but still as pretty, blond hair curling out from beneath her cap, waving and beaming a welcome. As soon as the steps were down, Kitty ran out and into her friend’s arms.
    â€œOh, it’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed.
    â€œAnd I you.”
    But Kitty noticed an odd tone. “Is something the matter?”
    â€œNo, of course not.” But then Ruth added, “You just seem a little wan.”
    â€œPerhaps that’s because you have bouquets of roses in your cheeks.”
    â€œCountry air.” Perhaps Ruth remembered that Kitty had been living in the countryside, for she added, “Gray never suited you. What style you arrive in! Beecham Dab will be all agog.”
    â€œWe certainly stirred excitement.”
    Ruth turned to her son. “Arthur, dear, be careful with the dog.”
    The four-year-old was giggling with delight but also waving his arms about, which Sillikin was taking as invitation to jump.
    Kitty scooped up her dog. “She’s very gentle, but I’ll introduce her properly once we’re inside. Good day to you, Arthur.”
    The boy bobbed a shy bow, but his eyes were bright. He was delightful.
    â€œCome in, come in,” Ruth said. “You’ll be ready for some tea.”
    â€œI must thank my attendants first.”
    Kitty walked back to where a parsonage serving man was taking her trunk out of the boot, with Mr. Jones observing. Tessa was still in the coach. Kitty thanked them both and waved them on their return journey. The coach would come back for her when she wrote to ask, but she hoped that was never. Seeing Ruth again, even for just a moment, had only increased her desire that this plan work.
    She joined Ruth in the entrance hall. It was much more modest than the one at Cateril, but Kitty instantly preferred it. It was wainscoted in dark wood, but the upper walls and ceiling were painted a pleasant eggshell blue and hung with watercolors that were probably Ruth’s work. Potpourri and polish scented the air.
    â€œYou have a lovely home,” Kitty said.
    â€œWe’re blessed,” Ruth agreed.
    â€œI detect your clever hand as well as God’s,” Kitty teased, taking off her gloves. “Now, tell me more about Lord Dauntry.”
    â€œIn a while,” Ruth said, glancing down. “Little pitchers. . . .”
    Little pitchers have big ears.
Kitty knew from her niece and nephew that children could repeat things heard, sometimes at unfortunate moments.
    She crouched down to introduce Sillikin to the boy. “I’ll keep her with me for now, but I’m sure she’ll like to play once she’s become used to a new place.”
    â€œThis isn’t new,” he protested.
    â€œIt is to her. Stroke her ears. She likes that.” As the boy did, she added, “I understand you have cats?”
    He nodded.
    â€œWe’ll hope they’ll be friends.”
    She rose, keeping the dog in her arms just to be safe. Ruth called for a maid to take care of Arthur, and they went upstairs.
    â€œHere we