Reunited At The King's Court. Helen Dickson

Читать онлайн книгу.

Reunited At The King's Court - Helen  Dickson


Скачать книгу
by that, Sir Ralph?’

      ‘He’s a King’s man—do not forget that Charles Stuart’s father was executed for the tyrant he was.’

      ‘None the less, his son is the King who it is hoped will turn England back into a place of happiness and contentment, a place of peace.’

      The look Sir Ralph gave her was hard. ‘You are far too outspoken, Mistress Dryden. I hope the obedience of your attitude is not a guise to deceive me.’

      ‘I am not sinful. I have done no harm.’

      ‘I see so little of you. I might think that you deliberately avoid me. Have I offended you in some way?’

      ‘No,’ she lied, anxious to be gone, hating the way his eyes devoured her, lingering too long on the swell of her breasts beneath the fabric of her dress, seeming to take salacious pleasure in what he saw despite his earlier rebuke. ‘Hester keeps me busy for most of the time.’

      ‘Not all the time, surely. You have the time to spend with James Sefton by all accounts.’

      The reproach in his voice was evident. ‘James is a friend. He makes me laugh. We are neighbours and of an age and he is fun to be with.’

      ‘And I am not.’

      ‘I did not say that, although I know you to be more than twice his age.’

      ‘True, but let me give you a bit of wisdom. There is more to a man than a handsome face or pair of broad shoulders. Think about it. You know that I have always been fond of you. I find it such a delight to talk to you.’

      ‘You are easily content, Sir Ralph.’

      ‘Richard always speaks highly of you—of your intelligence, Mistress Dryden. You are aware of my intentions and that Richard has given permission for a betrothal between us.’

      ‘I know that.’

      ‘Then you might sound more enthusiastic about it. It is my wish that we be married before the autumn, so our betrothal will be soon? When you are my wife I shall be favoured twice.’

      ‘How so?’

      ‘A beautiful and a clever wife. I would be the happiest of men. What more could any man ask?’

      ‘What more indeed?’ Arlette murmured quietly.

      ‘I was drawn to you the first time I saw you and blind to all other women,’ he said, his voice low, as if unable to conceal the passion Arlette never failed to rouse in him. ‘I will visit Richard at his house to discuss the details of the betrothal.’ His eyes narrowed as he noted the flash of defiance that flared in Arlette’s eyes, which vanished almost as soon as it was there. ‘You do want to marry me, don’t you, Arlette?’

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

      Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

      Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

      Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

/9j/4RogRXhpZgAATU0AKgAAAAgABwESAAMAAAABAAEAAAEaAAUAAAABAAAAYgEbAAUAAAABAAAA agEoAAMAAAABAAIAAAExAAIAAAAeAAAAcgEyAAIAAAAUAAAAkIdpAAQAAAABAAAApAAAANAALcbA AAAnEAAtxsAAACcQQWRvYmUgUGhvdG9zaG9wIENTNS4xIFdpbmRvd3MAMjAxOToxMDozMSAxMzow Mzo0OAAAA6ABAAMAAAABAAEAAKACAAQAAAABAAAEsKADAAQAAAABAAAHiwAAAAAAAAAGAQMAAwAA AAEABgAAARoABQAAAAEAAAEeARsABQAAAAEAAAEmASgAAwAAAAEAAgAAAgEABAAAAAEAAAEuAgIA BAAAAAEAABjqAAAAAAAAAEgAAAABAAAASAAAAAH/2P/tAAxBZG9iZV9DTQAB/+4ADkFkb2JlAGSA AAAAAf/bAIQADAgICAkIDAkJDBELCgsRFQ8MDA8VGBMTFRMTGBEMDAwMDAwRDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwM DAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAENCwsNDg0QDg4QFA4ODhQUDg4ODhQRDAwMDAwREQwMDAwMDBEMDAwM DAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwM/8AAEQgAoABjAwEiAAIRAQMRAf/dAAQAB//EAT8AAAEF AQEBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAMAAQIEBQYHCAkKCwEAAQUBAQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAQACAwQFBgcICQoLEAAB BAEDAgQCBQcGCAUDDDMBAAIRAwQhEjEFQVFhEyJxgTIGFJGhsUIjJBVSwWIzNHKC0UMHJZJT8OHx Y3M1FqKygyZEk1RkRcKjdDYX0lXiZfKzhMPTdePzRieUpIW0lcTU5PSltcXV5fVWZnaGlqa2xtbm 9jdHV2d3h5ent8fX5/cRAAICAQIEBAMEBQYHBwYFNQEAAhEDITESBEFRYXEiEwUygZEUobFCI8FS 0fAzJGLhcoKSQ1MVY3M08SUGFqKygwcmNcLSRJNUoxdkRVU2dGXi8rOEw9N14/NGlKSFtJXE1OT0 pbXF1eX1VmZ2hpamtsbW5vYnN0dXZ3eHl6e3x//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AoMex9LG5Nb2l/srs1H0v +rVnPyjh0sx2y3Lva19paY2hvsbXp+f7fzlX6a1oNmbe532THIFIcYD7I2/9BzvzP++KvkB5yzbe WWG0l51MADRo/k+1vsVfZsbls4mOc67ZdU/IIa57trnbgK2uus9k/S2M+jt96Jk9AsaRdRWWVCxm PFr4e629tL6GMa9o+j9ro9T1P5r6H+CR+lhn2pl1dux+11broI9RrmFjvb/pW1Ocz1FYOfmPL2F9 NzanMtxmH3EOp9IMdW4N9RuyvGp+l/OP3ptjxX0fBwaen5ltRyQ8DHbeMRxe4BxtJYz0m1/4T3XV e/6Ct0Udawb2dK9JjvtLrccU2wHBu4498Wz+ibub+jf/ADfp/pa/0at3dStxsdj7KMerHfYckV0M bJymmt1Vjtm309rqq32/mJsa7Lc/Gy327r8QObQQ0BrWe65tcH6VW97/ANG/8z9GkZRrqoRPg52d 0nPuroOys7Hk+p6jPR2vrtzq7/W3en9jZh1WPfd/wez+d/RrEyehdVpquyCxhxsUnfey1jqwdlNr a67Wu22PvZlUfZq2fpLv0n6P9WyPR6mzI6rk5mLh45rYchzG00Gpjqw3034bsZ1W3Z9jZjW3Msp/ 4T1f533o2XkO9bIxay04lrjvrbWwVPO2qn1PQa302vq+y0/Z/wDQ/T/wt3qPEwI3qtOMykRYeT/5 sdXOa/EtFLbaHsrsDsiprRbYXtqw2vc8frlj6bv0H/B+t/RvTuSs+r/VG4v2p1Dq8ZzQ+gvIGjrD jO9v5tzLWfp6/wCcq9i7avqFjyC5lLgzYK2OqYWMNTrLKX1VuaW12VWX3vr2/wCl2fzP6NCtyXCh 1Bd+gcGbmHWTWXvrfP8ApN1j99n+F/wiBzA9CkYCNyHgcvpWTi1C+xwAd+aOfGf6qq2h0Nf3cPdH jPddN9Y7qxhw4fpXH2+fiuXAc7TsDKkhIyFljyRETQVudHH5sT5SkrMN4/N3el/36P8AtxJH6Lfr 4P8A/9AGTRTZQzFqgVUQA6ZMtE/T/rH/ALc9RU6rqmtLrKHmysz6lZmAfFrv3f7f6NXc6o/aXsDQ K2kktGgnX/oNUBUyLn

Скачать книгу