Dishonor And Desire
1812—Richmond, Surrey
Still smiling at some absurdity, Miss Caterina Chester and her sister rode into the stable yard behind Number 18 Paradise Road, patting the damp glossy necks before them and fully expecting the usual smiles of welcome from the grooms eager to help them dismount. This sunny morning, with steam rising from the tiled rooftops, the stable yard was busy with lads sluicing mud off the wheels of a coffee-and-cream-coloured crane-neck phaeton while another groom in an unfamiliar green livery held the bridle of a large grey hunter in the shade of the covered walkway. No one came running to meet them.
"Father has a visitor," said Sara. "That's Aunt Amelie's phaeton," said Caterina, coming to a halt. "Why is it covered in mud? Joseph," she called, "what's all this?"
Joseph lowered his dripping broom and turned, shading his eyes. "Sorry, Miss Chester. I didn't hear you coming," he said, wiping his hands down his apron.
He came forward to take the bridles, but Caterina threw one leg over the pommel and slid to the ground before he could reach her. "Help Miss Sara," she told him. "I can manage. Who's been out in the phaeto ... read full excerpt from: Dishonor and Desire ebook
