The Vow Read Online Free PDF

with helpless tears. She brushed them away and turned to face him again, her head held high. “When am I to wed?” she asked.
    He shrugged. “Whenever Shaw wants. Didn’t set a date. He’ll be here this afternoon to talk to you.”
    Hannah stood there woodenly, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her. She would have to live with Reiver Shaw for the rest of her life, share his bed, and bear his children. She shuddered.
    Ezra’s small dark eyes softened with rare compassion. “It’s time you married. You’re not happy here. You tempt Naomi’s boys. Shaw’s father was a no-account, but Reiver’s decent. He’ll treat you good.” Then he walked to the 30
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    The Vow
    parlor door, stopped, and turned. “You look peaked. Take some time to get used to the idea. Leave the cleaning for Naomi.”
    He hesitated for a moment as if waiting for Hannah to thank him for generously excusing her from her chores, but when she remained rigid and unforgiving, Ezra shrugged his thin shoulders and left her to ponder her fate.

    Hannah couldn’t wait until that afternoon to speak to her future husband.
    She put on her bonnet, tied the wide ribbons beneath her chin, and left the house at a brisk walk.
    Fifteen minutes later she arrived at Mulberry Hill, which separated Shaw land from Uncle Ezra’s. Hannah took a deep breath, lifted her long calico skirts, and started up the gentle slope along the horizontal rows of mulberry trees.
    When she was halfway up, she noticed several women in plain black dresses and white aprons standing between the rows and picking leaves as easily as they might pick apples in the fall.
    One of them noticed Hannah staring at her and smiled. “Good morning.”
    “Good morning,” Hannah replied, not returning the smile. “Can you tell me where I might find Reiver Shaw?”
    The woman laughed. “Mr. Shaw is where he always is, in the rearing shed with his worms.”
    Hannah frowned in puzzlement. “His worms?”
    “Silkworms. Millions of ’em, eating these leaves we’re picking.” The woman shuddered. “Give me the shivers, those worms do.”
    “Where is this rearing shed?” Hannah asked.
    “Just over the hill, near the mill.”
    Hannah thanked her and kept on walking.

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    Lindsay Chase
    When she reached the crest of the hill, she stopped for a moment to catch her breath and survey what would soon be her home unless she could convince Reiver Shaw to withdraw his offer of marriage.
    At the far end of the sweeping green lawn stood a small white farmhouse half-concealed by several tall oak and maple trees shivering in the gentle morning breeze. To Hannah’s right stood the mill on the banks of a swiftly running stream and a long, low building that must have been the rearing shed sat nearby.
    Hannah swallowed hard, squared her shoulders, and started for the shed.
    She was halfway there when the door suddenly opened and a lanky young man came out, closing the door gently after him.
    He appeared more intent on some strange object he held than on where he was going, and almost walked right into Hannah. He caught himself in time and sprang back, startled.
    “Excuse me, miss,” he blurted, his cheeks coloring. “I never watch where I’m going.”
    Hannah knew this young man had to be one of the Shaw brothers, for he resembled Reiver faintly, like a blurred image viewed through a cloudy glass. He was handsomer than his older brother, with a less prominent nose and narrower jaw, and an endearing preoccupied air. Straight brown hair fell in a slant across his brow, and his demeanor was somewhat shy.
    “I’m Hannah Whitby,” she said, “and I’m looking for Reiver Shaw.”
    The young man recognized her name at once, for he colored again. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Whitby.” He extended his hand, noticed it was dirty, and pulled it back with an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I never can seem to keep my hands