BooksBarbecue
Back An Independent Woman Save as PDF
Chapters (44)
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Chapter One
  6. Chapter Two
  7. Chapter Three
  8. Chapter Four
  9. Chapter Five
  10. Chapter Six
  11. Chapter Seven
  12. Chapter Eight
  13. Chapter Nine
  14. Chapter Ten
  15. Chapter Eleven
  16. Chapter Twelve
  17. Chapter Thirteen
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Chapter Fifteen
  20. Chapter Sixteen
  21. Chapter Seventeen
  22. Chapter Eighteen
  23. Chapter Nineteen
  24. Chapter Twenty
  25. Chapter Twenty-One
  26. Chapter Twenty-Two
  27. Chapter Twenty-Three
  28. Chapter Twenty-Four
  29. Chapter Twenty-Five
  30. Chapter Twenty-Six
  31. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  32. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  33. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  34. Chapter Thirty
  35. Chapter Thirty-One
  36. Chapter Thirty-Two
  37. Chapter Thirty-Three
  38. Chapter Thirty-Four
  39. Chapter Thirty-Five
  40. Chapter Thirty-Six
  41. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  42. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  43. A word about the author...
  44. Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Hugh spent several minutes with pen in hand, composing a short note, before slipping quietly downstairs to the housekeeper’s room. “Mrs. Rivers,” he said. The housekeeper’s jaw dropped. Aware that his heightened colour and blazing eyes revealed restless agitation, Hugh took several slow breaths.

“Is all well, my lord?” the housekeeper asked.

Hugh held his face impassive. “Please give this note to Miss Philomena.”

Mrs. Rivers pressed her lips together. A trusted servant in the house since Hugh was a boy, she had helped him to avoid his father’s temper many a time. The housekeeper’s loyalty and good sense had extricated Hugh from all manner of scrapes.

She knew when to keep her counsel. “Of course, my lord.” She took the note. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Her eyes widened. She could always see through Hugh. He was tempted to share his despair and, as so often in childhood, drink a soothing cup of hot chocolate in the neat, tidy parlour.

No. He must keep his purpose secret. He must not reveal his feelings for Philomena. “There is nothing. I will be gone a few days.”

He turned back at the door. He wanted to tell Mrs. Rivers to keep Philomena safe at the Hall until his return but could not find words that would not give away his feelings. “Watch over John,” he muttered and hurried away, leaving Mrs. Rivers shaking her head, her face thoughtful.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Two

Philomena climbed the stairs, slow and heavy with despair. She did not know what to do. How could she ever face Hugh again? What must he think?

She leaned back against the door of her tiny room. Her head pounded. She wanted to sleep, to forget everything that had happened this afternoon, but it was impossible. Hugh’s face, pale and shocked, forced itself into her mind.

Philomena paced, restless, back and forth from the door to the window, one hand at her mouth. She chewed at her nails until her fingers bled but hardly noticed. What should she do? She could not leave. Her heart would break.

Philomena’s thoughts grew wilder. How could she stay here, at the Hall? Perhaps she should throw herself at Hugh’s feet, beg for forgiveness and offer to become his mistress. She covered her face in shame. She had thrown his proposal in Hugh’s face and had run away. How could he ever forgive her?

What could she do? What could she say to return things to the way they had been? Questions whirled through Philomena’s aching head, but she had no answers.