Waiting for Willard (A SADDLES & SCOUNDRELS NOVELLA) by Chalon Linton EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
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- Authors: Chalon Linton
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical Romance
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
Charlene Trimble completed a second lap around the hedge garden.
Primrose, her dutiful cat, wandered to the side of the gravel path to
examine an erratic white butterfly. “Let it be, Primrose,” Charlene
said. “The guests will be arriving soon and Mama will wonder where we
are.” She patted her hand against her leg and the cat returned to her side.
Primrose had been a gift from Charlene’s uncle Harvey when she had
turned twelve years old. The first few months, Primrose had been difficult
to manage. The cat had once jumped to bat at a bright flower arrangement,
and when Primrose connected with her target, an heirloom vase shattered
into a thousand pieces. The upholstered chair in Charlene’s room bore
Primrose’s claw marks, and multiple dead rodents had been presented
before Charlene’s door. Mama had threatened to remove Primrose to the
stables if Charlene could not teach the cat some proper manners.
Charlene had determined she would domesticate the cat and worked
with the housekeeper, Mrs. Fillmore, to fashion a collar and leash for the
feline. For weeks Charlene dutifully kept Primrose tethered nearby,
pampering her with scraps of fish and pheasant until Primrose remained by
her side without the restraint of the leash or the lure of constant treats.
Charlene was now in her twenty-first year, and while Primrose generally
behaved, the cat still displayed her spirited nature at random moments.
“Come along, Primrose,” Charlene said, pulling the door to the
conservatory open. Primrose padded across the threshold with her black tail
high in the air. Charlene smiled at the cat. “Such a high-and-mighty miss.”
She let the door close and walked around the artful arrangements of pots
and foliage to enter the main house.
“You have appeared right on time,” Charlene’s brother, George, said. He
glanced down at Primrose, who circled Charlene’s skirts, before returning
his gaze to Charlene’s. He winked and stepped aside to reveal a man of
medium height with coal-colored hair and a familiar, devilish grin. Willard
Huntsly.
Charlene’s breath caught in excitement and a smile filled her face.
“Willard!” She dipped a hasty curtsy and extended her hand to George’s
longtime friend. “Mother told me you had not responded to her invitation.
We assumed you were off on a grand adventure.” She slipped her fingers
into his familiar hold. “I am overjoyed to know your plans have changed.”
Willard gave her bare fingers a gentle squeeze, then took a step back
and clasped his hands behind his back. He gave a short bow and
straightened again. “I could not miss a house party at Kirkwood. I imagine
the coming fortnight will provide bountiful entertainment. Rumor has it,
your mother is determined to find you a suitor.”
“That is old news.” Charlene waved her hand. “We all know I am far
too spirited to make a respectable wife.”
“But Mother is quite determined this time.” George wagged a finger in
the air. He enjoyed teasing his younger sister.
“Why she fixates on arranging my marriage, instead of yours, I do not
know,” Charlene said. George was, after all, six and twenty years old.
George clapped Willard on the shoulder. “I wondered if the invitation
had been waylaid. Misdirected by an overworked currier?”
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