Flirting with His Forbidden Lady--A Regency Family is Reunited by Laura Martin (good novels to read txt) 📕

Annabelle raised an eyebrow and Beth was reminded her little sister wasn’t a child any longer.

‘What don’t I understand, Beth? That you are martyring yourself to keep this roof over my head? That you are willing to make yourself miserable for the rest of your life out of some misplaced guilt, some feeling that you owe me for this.’ She jabbed forcefully at her scars.

‘It’s the only way to keep our home.’

Annabelle stepped forward and took her sister’s hand and held it to her chest.

‘Home isn’t a building or a piece of land. It is where you feel happy, where there are people who love you.’

‘You and Mother need somewhere to live.’

‘But it doesn’t have to be here.’

Beth blinked, not understanding.

‘We could sell. Pay off the debts. There would be enough left over for a small cottage and a modest yearly income. We don’t have to live in a big country estate, pretending everything is as it was when Father was alive.’

‘This is our home, Annabelle.’

‘Your home will be with your husband, with the family you will one day have.’

‘This is your home, then.’

‘I would rather you were happy than I got to stay at Birling View whilst knowing I was the reason for your misery.’

‘Leonard Ashburton is a good man. So everyone keeps saying.’

‘You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself.’

‘Josh hasn’t offered me anything,’ Beth said quietly. It was the truth. Despite their kisses, despite their shared attraction, Josh hadn’t once even mentioned the future. He hadn’t begged her not to marry his brother, hadn’t even suggested a future with him was possible.

Frowning, Annabelle walked over to the mirror and stared at her reflection. Beth hesitated, knowing she should go down to the guests but not wanting to leave her sister in the middle of their discussion.

‘Where are you going today?’ The sudden change of subject threw Beth for a moment.

‘For a ride to Seaford. We’ll probably stop on the beach for a picnic.’

‘All of the guests?’

‘I’m not certain. Everyone is invited.’

‘And Mother?’

‘She has one of her headaches.’

With a resolute nod Annabelle crossed to the wardrobe and pulled her riding habit out.

‘I’m coming.’

‘What?’

‘I’m coming. You keep saying there’s no need for me to hide away. The Ashburtons already know about me—it will be odd if I stay hidden. So I’m coming.’

Beth bit her tongue to stop the protest. This was what she had wanted for so long, for Annabelle to socialise, to forget about her scars and step into the world. It didn’t feel right though, as if she were doing it for the wrong reasons, but perhaps it was better than not doing it at all.

Silently Beth helped her sister into her riding habit, fastening it at the back and securing the high neck.

They left the bedroom arm in arm and descended the stairs together. Beth could feel her sister trembling despite the smile on her lips and knew what an effort this was taking on Annabelle’s part.

‘Are you sure?’ Beth whispered just before they entered the ballroom.

In answer Annabelle stepped forward. Beth winced as everyone fell silent as her sister entered the room. She looked for Josh, knowing instinctively he would step up and make her sister feel welcome, but he wasn’t there.

Five seconds passed, then ten.

‘Lady Annabelle, will you be joining us?’ To her surprise it was Leonard Ashburton who moved away from the group and greeted her sister first. He bowed over her hand and offered her his arm, drawing her apart from Beth. Annabelle hesitated but after a moment slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow and allowed him to lead her away.

‘What happened?’ Josh murmured in her ear. He’d just entered the room behind her and was watching his brother and Annabelle taking a turn about the room.

‘Annabelle is coming with us.’

Josh remained silent, his eyes boring into her for a long moment before he spoke. ‘Good.’ He waited for his brother to complete the slow circuit of the room before slipping in to greet her himself.

‘Lady Annabelle. I’m so glad you’ve decided to join us. Lady Elizabeth tells me it is a spectacular ride across the cliffs.’

‘It is our favourite, over the Seven Sisters to Cuckmere and then across the river to Seaford Head.’

‘What a beautiful riding habit,’ Theodora Potterton said, placing a hand on Annabelle’s arm.

‘The colour suits you,’ Henrietta Potterton added.

Beth felt some of the tension seeping from her shoulders as the conversation continued. It was a little forced, a little stilted, but no one was being cruel to Annabelle, no one was drawing attention to her scars. In fact, they were all too polite to even mention the fact that they hadn’t known Annabelle existed.

As they walked out to the stable block Josh slipped into step beside her.

‘You persuaded her to come.’ His voice was warm and approving.

‘No, she suggested it.’

‘Why now?’

Feeling the heat rising in her cheeks, she quickened her pace, hoping Josh wouldn’t notice.

‘I don’t know.’

She thought he would challenge her, but he just shrugged and pushed on ahead to the stables.

‘Your sister is making quite the effort with Leo,’ Josh observed, pulling his reins so his horse edged closer to Beth’s.

They were at the back of the party. Annabelle and Leo had ridden on ahead, Mr Ralph and Mr Williams were in the middle with one of the Potterton sisters on either side, and Josh and Beth had allowed their horses to choose their own sedate pace for the hilly terrain and now trailed at least a hundred feet behind.

‘I think she is concerned about my future.’

‘Good.’

‘Good?’

‘Well, someone has to be.’

Beth looked at him sharply. ‘I’m very concerned about my future.’

‘You’re concerned with doing the right thing by other people. I have a feeling your sister is making sure it is the right choice for you.’

‘Are you saying I shouldn’t marry your brother?’

‘No.’

‘Then what are you saying?’

‘If you decide to marry my brother it should be because you want to, not because it is what is expected of you.’

‘Do you even know