His Impassioned Proposal by Aileen Fish - Bridgethorpe Brides 01 - His Impassioned Proposal

Author:Aileen Fish - Bridgethorpe Brides 01 - His Impassioned Proposal [Fish, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Amazon: B009I41WB0
Barnesnoble: B009I41WB0
Goodreads: 18458400
Publisher: Aileen Fish
Published: 2011-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The weather turned cold the week following Lady Carrington’s party, and Jane saw little of Hannah or anyone else. Rain settled in, making the roads unsuitable for riding, and even less so for walking. And so Jane stayed home and read, or painted, or wrote letters. She even found herself sitting at the pianoforte, displaying her poor skills for the servants.

She couldn’t recall feeling quite so restless, so trapped by the weather. This winter was starting no differently from any other. The only slight change was Stephen being safely home from battle. Since she was determined not to marry him, his being in the same shire should have no bearing on her mood.

The chance he might attend his uncle’s Twelfth Night activities was most assuredly not the cause of her racing heartbeat as she dressed for the evening, choosing a rich green velvet gown and matching emerald earrings, and allowing her maid to weave some holly leaves and pearls into the curls piled on her head.

Stephen was the farthest thing from her thoughts when she turned this way and that before her looking glass. No man of any importance would be attending the rout at Bridgethorpe Manor. She had no excuse for wanting to look far beyond her best. No reason other than wanting her appearance to reflect how she felt on the inside. The new year had begun, and she was determined to make the most of it. A fresh start, and quite possibly the most important year of her life. She was determined to fall in love before summer arrived.

Father wanted to bring out the sleigh for the ride to Bridgethorpe, but the snow two days prior had already melted. Still, the evening air was cold enough to warrant heavy lap robes in the carriage, and the windows were thick with fog.

Bridgethorpe Manor glowed brightly with light from lamps and candles, giving a cheery atmosphere that buoyed Jane’s excitement. Only a few other neighboring families would be joining them, and from the laughter bubbling down the staircase, the Marwicks were the last to arrive.

Hannah rushed to Jane’s side when they entered the large parlor. “You are here! Now my evening is complete.”

Jane laughed. “This will be the last time I hear you speak those words. Soon it will be a gentleman’s name on your lips when you say so.”

“Never. No man will ever come between us. I treasure your friendship so.” Hannah linked her arm in Jane’s and led her toward the fireplace. “Come, get warm, and we can ask Mama when the games will begin.”

And games there were plenty. Charades, of course, as David and Hannah were excellent actors, was followed by the silent Tableaux Vivants, a party game during which Jane and Hannah were notorious for erupting into giggles. The disruption was inevitable when Lady Bridgethorpe assigned Jane, Hannah and Patience, Hannah’s next-younger sister, to portray the three witches in the cauldron scene from Macbeth. Wearing dirty, ragged gowns, moth-eaten wool shawls draped over their

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