Lynette Vinet - Emerald Trilogy 02 Read Free Page B

her face glowed with it.
    Shortly before Paul’s departure, he drew her aside. “Tomorrow I’ll call on you and pay my respects to your aunt. I don’t believe she approves of me very much.”
    “That’s ridiculous. She hardly knows you.” Allison stole a glance at her aunt who hovered nearby, then looked back at Paul, gazing into his eyes. He was so strong, so self-assured, seeming to have no fear of her aunt, and this made her care for him all the more.
    As soon as he left with Howard, Allison hurried to her room, realizing that a confrontation with Cecelia was inevitable but hoping to delay it as long as possible. After Beth had helped her into her nightgown, Allison danced around the room, her feet barely touched the floor. “Did you see him, Beth? How much I love him already!”
    “Aye, I stole a peep and saw the gentleman. He is handsome, Miss, but are you certain of your feelings? And what of the gentleman’s?”
    Allison threw herself onto the bed, sinking into the feather mattress. “He asked to call on me tomorrow, and I just know that he’ll marry me! He’s the one old Mag told me would come.”
    “I suppose you know your own mind, Miss Allison,” Beth murmured.
    Diamond sparkles glittered in Allison’s eyes. “He kissed me, Beth, on the terrace, and I kissed him back! Oh, I do love him!”
    “How wonderful and romantic.” Beth sighed and turned away to hang the discarded ball gown in the wardrobe. “Was Mr. Howard very upset that you spent all evening with another man?”
    “I never noticed,” said Allison dreamily.
    “He is such a fine gentleman and kind. I’d hate for him to be hurt.”
    “I’ve no intention of hurting him. Anyway, he was Aunt Cecelia’s choice for a husband, never mine.”
    A tear rolled unchecked down Beth’s cheek. “But he is more sensitive, I think, Miss, than you realize.” Her voice broke.
    Allison stared in astonishment at the young girl. “Why, Beth, you’re in love with Howard Granger!”
    “Oh miss, I could never…”
    Jumping from the bed, Allison grabbed Beth’s hand. “Yes, you are. Don’t be ashamed.”
    “Don’t tell anyone,” Beth tearfully pleaded, trembling. “I never meant to tell a soul about my feelings for Mr. Howard. He is so grand, and I’m just a nobody , a peasant girl. It can never be, and I know it.”
    “Beth, I’m sure that if Howard was aware of how you felt, he would be honored.”
    Beth seized Allison’s arm in alarm. “Oh, please don’t tell him! I’d die if he knew I loved him! He’s a gentleman, and I’m nowhere near being a fine lady. My mother never cared about me, Miss. She sent me to live with Mrs. Lacey and took off. I’ve not seen her in years. I don’t even know who my father was. Please don’t be judging other people’s motives by your own. You’re far too kind to worry over me.”
    “Let’s ask old Mag to tell your future,” Allison suggested.
    Beth vigorously shook her head. “I’m not like you, Miss. I don’t want to know it. Anyway, Mr. Howard won’t be in it. There’s no one like him in my future.”
    Allison critically examined Beth as if seeing her for the first time. Her figure was voluptuous and full-breasted and she was tall, with unblemished skin. Her brown hair lay in wispy curls about her face, and her cinnamon colored eyes, which usually danced, were now full of apprehension. “But someone is meant for you. You’re far too pretty not to have a young lad fall in love with you.”
    “The problem, Miss,” Beth stated matter-of-factly, “is that I only want Mr. Howard.”
    Allison wished to comfort her, to tell her that all things were possible, but just then Cecelia walked into the room, dismissing Beth with a grand wave of her hand.
    “I see,” she said icily as soon as they were alone, “that you completely forgot your manners.”
    “I don’t understand, Aunt.” Allison felt her stomach tumble, almost as if it rolled down a hill, and she knew the moment of reckoning