Scoundrel of Dunborough Read Free

heriot, considering.”
    “What should be paid will be paid, and the rest I shall give to the church.”
    “You’re welcome to reside at the castle for as long as necessary.”
    She shook her head. “I thank you for the offer, but I don’t wish to impose.”
    “I assure you, you won’t be.” He gave her a smile. “I’m happy to offer the hospitality of Dunborough to an old friend.”
    “Again I thank you, but I would rather stay here until the house is sold.”
    “You brought servants with you?”
    “No, I need none.”
    “You came
alone
?”
    “Yes.”
    “What the devil was your mother superior thinking?” he demanded, appalled. The roads and byways were dangerous for a woman alone, especially a beautiful one, even if she was a nun. “Did she have no fears for your safety?”
    In spite of his shocked and angry tone, Celeste remained remarkably calm. “I was never in any danger, nor did I ever have to walk far. Many farmers and carters are happy to help a nun, and many a nobleman and innkeeper pleased to give one shelter while asking nothing in return, just as you have done.”
    Although it took considerable effort, Gerrard managed to subdue his temper. “Be that as it may, you can’t stay here alone, and none of Audrey’s servants will come back to the house. They think it’s haunted.”
    “As I told you, I need no servant, and even if Audrey’s spirit does still linger here, I am quite safe. Alive or dead, she would never hurt me.”
    Gerrard felt like a fool for mentioning any supernatural concern, especially when there were other, more worldly reasons she couldn’t spend the night alone in that house. “Rumors of your father’s hidden wealth might tempt outlaws and thieves.”
    She sighed, but otherwise remained the same. “I suppose that’s to be expected. Nevertheless, I’m not leaving. The locks are strong and God will protect me.”
    God? God had not been here to save Audrey. “Just in case He is otherwise occupied, I must insist you come to the castle as my guest.”
    Her expression turned wary and suspicious, a look he unfortunately recognized. Women who’d heard the worst of him looked at him like that. Then he remembered who else was at Saint Agatha’s.
    “You will be quite safe there. I give you my word.”
    He steeled himself for another refusal.
    That did not come. Instead, she spoke as if she’d been agreeable all along. “Very well, and thank you.”
    He tried not to show his relief as he held out his arm to escort her.
    She did not take it.
    Instead, with her expression as placid as if they were in a cathedral, she walked out of the chamber.
    At least she’d finally seen sense, he told himself as he followed her outside. He went to his men and ordered them to continue to the castle, and told the fair-haired Hedley to take Snow to the stable for him.
    By the time he’d done that, Celeste was at an outbuilding at the far end of the yard.
    As he hurried to join her, Gerrard still couldn’t quite believe she was there. When she hadn’t arrived in the days after Audrey’s death, he’d assumed she never would. Now here she was, and staying in the castle, too.
    He wasn’t the only one who’d changed. Celeste had been a lively little elf of a child who skipped and danced more than she walked, and laughed and sang. She’d had freckles and long brown hair that curled as if it had a life of its own.
    Maybe it was long under that cap, veil and wimple. Or maybe it had been shorn to the scalp.
    Not that it mattered what her hair was like, or how beautiful she was, even if she was more lovely than Audrey had been, something he hadn’t foreseen.
    She was a nun here to sell her family’s goods and house, and then she would return to the convent.
    When he reached her, she regarded him quizzically. “Where is Audrey’s horse? She liked to ride, so I’m sure she had one.”
    “She had two and they were taken to the castle stables for safekeeping until we learned what you wanted