Winterset Read Free Page A

Burroughs’ cheeks were also faintly flushed, her eyes bright. What on earth was going on?
    As if she could hold it in no longer, Mrs. Bennett said in a rush, “Have you heard the news, Miss Holcomb? So very exciting…”
    “No, I am afraid that I have heard nothing exciting.” Anna looked at the doctor, and he shrugged imperceptibly, as though he had no idea what was going on, either.
    “Well, the squire told me—and I am certain that he heard it directly from Mr. Norton, who is, of course, his solicitor—Reed Moreland is returning to Winterset!”
    Mrs. Bennett paused, looking at Anna expectantly. Anna could do nothing but stare blankly at the woman. Reed Moreland! She felt as if her insides had suddenly fallen down to her knees.
    “Isn’t it wonderful?” the vicar’s wife gushed.
    “Yes,” Anna managed to say through bloodless lips. “Yes, of course.”
    “Such a gentleman of refinement,” Mrs. Burroughs went on happily. “So knowledgeable, so well bred. Everything one would expect from the son of a duke.”
    “But not at all proud,” Mrs. Bennett stuck in.
    “Oh, no, indeed, you are absolutely right,” her friend agreed. “Not proud at all, but not overly friendly, either.”
    “Indeed, just perfect.”
    “A paragon, it would seem,” Dr. Felton put in, a faint note of amusement in his voice.
    “You are absolutely right.” Mrs. Bennett, incapable of irony, nodded her head. “Did you meet him when he was here before, Dr. Felton?”
    “I was introduced to him at a party, I believe. He seemed a pleasant-enough gentleman.”
    Anna felt as if she might be sick, right there in front of everyone. Why was Reed coming back here after all this time? And how was she to bear it? She thought of seeing him again, of going to a party and finding him there. It would be impossible.
    “I am sure you must be quite excited to hear of it,” Mrs. Bennett said, with a playful smirk. “As I remember, the man danced attendance upon you quite a bit.”
    “I wouldn’t say that,” Anna protested faintly. “He was a very pleasant man, but I am sure he had no partiality for me.”
    The other two women exchanged knowing glances.
    “Very prettily said, my dear,” Mrs. Burroughs said approvingly. “Your maidenly reserve becomes you. But there is nothing wrong with attracting a worthy man’s attention.”
    “And since you did not have a Season—” Mrs. Bennett rattled on.
    “Of course it was very proper, very good of you to remain here and run the household for your father and brother—” the vicar’s wife inserted piously.
    “—no one is more deserving than you of catching such a man’s eye,” Mrs. Bennett finished triumphantly.
    “You are very kind to say so,” Anna said, putting all the firmness into her voice that she was capable of. “However, I assure you that there was nothing between Lord Moreland and myself but a very brief acquaintance. I imagine he scarcely remembers me.”
    That statement, Anna knew, was extremely doubtful. Reed Moreland might not recall her with any kindness, but the son of a duke was unlikely to forget the affront of a woman turning down his offer of marriage.
    “One wonders why Lord Moreland is returning after so long,” Dr. Felton commented, and Anna shot him a grateful glance for turning the conversation away from her relationship with Reed.
    “He wrote to Mr. Norton that he intended to sell Winterset,” Mrs. Bennett explained. “And he wanted to see what needed to be done to the place to put it in good condition. He instructed Mr. Norton to hire servants and have the house cleaned and made ready for his arrival.”
    “Do you…know when he is arriving?” Anna asked.
    “Very soon, I would think, my dear,” Mrs. Bennett replied. “The squire said Mr. Norton seemed to think that Lord Moreland was most eager to come here.” She shot a meaningful little glance at Anna.
    “It would doubtless be a good thing if he can sell it,” the doctor mused. “It would be