Not Always a Saint Read Free Page B

died, we would never have met.” Jessie squeezed his hand gently. “Perhaps she sent me to keep you happy until the two of you could be together again.”
    â€œWhat a splendid thought.” He drew another labored breath. “You don’t need to worry about your future, my dear. In fact, when the will is read, there will be a surprise for you and Beth.” His lips curved into an impish smile. He’d always loved giving Jessie and Beth surprises.
    â€œYou’ve been a surprise from the beginning,” she said with a nostalgic smile. “I couldn’t believe that a fine gentleman like you would marry a trumpery minor actress.”
    He began coughing so hard that Jessie almost summoned the physician. When the coughing subsided, he whispered, “And I couldn’t believe that the most beautiful woman in England would marry me even for money and a title.”
    â€œI didn’t marry you for your money, and certainly not for your title,” she said softly. “I married you for your kindness and wisdom.”
    They shared an intimate smile. Genteel society had been scandalized by the unequal marriage, but it had brought happiness to them both. When Philip died, she would lose her dearest friend.
    Voice faded to a thread, he whispered, “Will Frederick reach here in time?”
    â€œThe roads are in bad condition after all the rain, so it’s impossible to say,” she replied. She didn’t doubt that Frederick Kelham was on his way, but it would be for his inheritance, not because he loved his uncle. Frederick loved only himself.
    As heir to the title and entailed property, Frederick had been waiting impatiently for his uncle’s death for years. He’d been very unhappy with Jessie’s pregnancy, and she’d prayed for a daughter who would not be an obstacle to Frederick’s ambitions. Beth’s birth had been a relief. Philip was delighted to have a little girl to dote on, and the tension eased.
    She thought Philip had dozed off when he said in a surprisingly strong voice, “You must marry again, Jessie. You are too excellent a wife to waste in widowhood.”
    Her lips twisted. Philip, bless him, overrated her charms and her wifeliness. But now was not the time to disagree. She merely said, “If I find a man as kind as you, I shall consider it. But you will be a very hard man to live up to, Philip.”
    â€œYou flatter me, wench,” he said with amusement, his voice fading. “I trust you to choose well no matter what path you take.” His faded blue eyes closed again and his labored breathing became slower and slower. The ticking of the mantel clock was unnaturally loud as it counted down the moments of his life.
    She thought she heard him breathe, “Louise!” in a voice of soft wonder. Then he breathed no more.
    She bent her head over their joined hands, silent tears flowing down her face. Philip Kelham had given her faith that men could be good. She didn’t expect to meet another like him.
    But she didn’t want or need another man. As long as she had Beth and sufficient resources to support them both, it was enough.
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    After a long day of burying her husband and accepting condolences from neighbors who had mostly disapproved of her, Jessie would have been happy to postpone the reading of the will to the next day, but Frederick was eager for it to take place that very evening. He probably couldn’t wait to learn the size of his inheritance.
    Despite what Philip had said about a surprise, Jessie expected the reading to be straightforward. Philip had discussed his plans with her before revising his will a few months earlier, and Kelham Hall, this ancient barony in Kent, was entailed to the next Lord Kelham. Frederick would also receive a substantial amount of Philip’s personal fortune, though he wouldn’t be happy to learn that most of the money was tied up in legal trusts that would make