Podstrony
|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Jeremy and I can look after her. Second, I can guarantee thatyour mother and sister would be none too
pleased
We ll send Jeremy along. He has enough time before his next school term, and he ll be an excellent
escort for all three of them.
Poor Jeremy& Annabelle tried to envision him escorting the trio of women across Europe. I
wouldn t wish such a fate on my worst enemy.
Simon grinned. He ll probably learn a great deal about women.
And none of it pleasant, she retorted. Why do you think it is necessary to whisk my mother away
from London? Does Lord Hodgeham still pose some kind of danger?
No, he murmured, gently angling her face upward. I told you, he ll never dare to approach Philippa
again. However, if it turns out that there is any lingering trouble with Hodgeham, I d prefer to handle it
while she is away. Moreover, Jeremy said that she doesn t seem quite herself. Understandable, given the
circumstances. A few weeks of touring should make her feel better.
As Annabelle considered the idea, she had to admit that there was some sense in it. It had been a long
time since Philippa had gone on any kind of holiday. And if Jeremy went with her, perhaps even the
company of the Hunts could be tolerated. As for what Philippa would want & she seemed too numb to
make any de cisions. It seemed likely that she would agree to any plans that Annabelle and Jeremy made.
Simon& she asked slowly, are you asking for my opinion, or telling me what you ve already
decided?
Simon s gaze swept her face in clever assessment. Which would be more likely to induce you to
agree? He laughed softly as he read the answer in her expression. Very well & I m asking.
Annabelle smiled wryly and snuggled back into the crook of his shoulder. Then if Jeremy agrees & so
will I.
Chapter 25
Annabelle had not asked Simon how Bertha and Meredith Hunt had received the news of their
additional traveling companions, and she had certainly not been eager to hear the answer. All that
mattered was that Philippa would be far away from London and all reminders of Lord Hodgeham.
Annabelle hoped that when her mother returned, she would be refreshed and at ease, and ready to make
a new beginning. The trip might even hold some enjoyment for Jeremy, who was looking forward to
seeing some of the foreign places he had learned about at school.
With less than a week before their departure, Annabelle threw herself into the project of packing for her
mother and brother, trying to anticipate their needs for a six-week journey. Openly amused by the
quantity of supplies that Annabelle had purchased for them, Simon remarked that one would think her
family was forging through regions of unexplored wilderness rather than lodging in a succession of inns
and pensiones.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Foreign travel can be uncomfortable at times, Annabelle replied, busily stuffing tins of tea and biscuits
into a leather satchel. A stack of boxes and parcels towered beside their bed, where she was sorting
various articles into organized piles. Among other things, she had collected compounds from the
apothecary shop, a pair of down pillows and extra linens, a box of reading material, and a collection of
packaged edibles. Holding up a glass jar of preserves, she examined it critically. The food is different on
the Continent
Yes, Simon said gravely. Unlike ours, it s been known to have flavor.
And the climate can be unseasonable.
Blue sky and sunshine? Oh, they ll want to avoid that at all cost.
She responded to his mockery with an arch glance. Surely you must have better things to do, other than
to watch me open boxes.
Not when you re doing it in the bedroom.
Straightening, Annabelle folded her arms across her chest and regarded him with flirtatious challenge.
I m afraid you ll have to control your baser urges, Mr. Hunt. Perhaps you hadn t noticed, but the
honeymoon has ended.
The honeymoon doesn t end until I say so, Simon informed her, reaching out to snatch her before she
could evade him. He crushed her lips with a dominating kiss and tossed her onto the bed. Which means
there s no hope for you.
Giggling, Annabelle flailed in the tangle of her skirts until she found herself pinned on the mattress with his
body lying over hers. I have more packing to do, she protested, as he settled between her thighs.
Simon
Did I ever happen to mention that I can unfasten buttons with my teeth?
A breathless laugh escaped her, and she squirmed as his head lowered to the front of her bodice.
That s not a very practical skill, is it?
It s useful in certain situations. Let me show you&
Very little packing was done for the rest of the day.
Eventually, however, Annabelle found herself standing at the door of her family s town house, watching
as her mother and brother left in a carriage bound for Dover, where they would meet with the Hunts and
cross to Calais.
Simon stood with her, his hand resting comfortingly on her back as the carriage rounded the corner and
headed along the main thoroughfare. She waved forlornly after them, wondering how they would manage
without her.
Drawing her into the house, Simon closed the door. This is for the best, he assured her.
For them or for us?
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
For all parties concerned. Smiling slightly, he turned her to face him. I predict the next few weeks will
pass quickly. And in the meantime you re going to be very busy, Mrs. Hunt. To start with, this morning
we re going to meet with an architect about the house plans, then you ll have to decide between two lots
that our agent has found in Mayfair.
Annabelle dropped her head on his chest. Thank God. I ve begun to despair of ever leaving the
Rutledge. Not that I haven t enjoyed it, mind you, but every woman wants a home of her own, and&
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plkskarol.keep.pl
|
