An Honorable Wish by Eileen Richards

Author:Eileen Richards
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2015-11-24T05:00:00+00:00

Tony stood by the fire in the parlor growing more discouraged by the minute. Juliet had refused to talk to him, except for a few polite words at dinner.

Now she was sitting in a corner not talking to anyone, hiding behind a book.

Lady Danford sat nearby, sipping her tea. “You’re awfully glum this evening, Anthony.”

Only his grandmother called him Anthony. “I’m perfectly well.”

“Lovers’ spats never last long. You’ll be back in her good graces in no time.”

“I don’t know, Grandmother.”

Lady Danford watched Juliet sitting across the room. “Too bad there’s no music. In my day a dance with a lover was the perfect way to solve a dispute.”

“I doubt one dance will do the trick this time.”

Sophia wandered over to the fire. “You’ve really angered Juliet, Tony. I don’t think she’s ever been this quiet.”

“Not now, Sophia.”

“I encountered Mr. Bartleby earlier today in the village,” Sophia continued, undeterred. “He had some interesting things to say. What were you doing at the pond?”

“Nothing,” Tony muttered. Where was she going with this?

“He says he caught you and Juliet in a rather compromising position,” Sophia said under her voice, glancing at Lady Danford.

“I’m old, I’m not deaf, child. They’re engaged; people tend to overlook a bit of impropriety from an engaged couple.”

“It’s not the first time Mr. Bartleby caught them engaged in some inappropriate behavior,” Sophia said.

“Bartleby is an ass,” Tony mumbled.

“You have been spending a great deal of time with Juliet since you arrived,” Lady Danford said. “I’m very happy with your choice of brides, but you didn’t pay her any mind in Town. It does give one pause.”

He’d been wrapped up in trying to win investors for Nathaniel. He’d been enthralled with being in London. “I do not know why everyone says that. I danced with her at every ball. I attended every function.”

Sophia tilted her head and studied him for a long moment. “I didn’t think that was why you were in attendance.”

“I was in attendance to see Juliet.” Those few minutes dancing with Juliet were the only times during his visits to London when he actually had felt as if he knew himself.

Lady Danford studied him for a long moment. Tony fought the urge to squirm. She had her way of getting information out of him. “She’s liked you for a very long time.”

Sophia pounced. “That’s true. She followed us around like a puppy when you were courting me.”

Tony winced. Sophia always brought that up. As if he were going lower by courting her sister. He knew now that marrying Sophia would have been a huge mistake.

Lady Danford stood. “I’m done in. I’m going up.”

“Good night, Grandmother,” Tony said.

She patted his hand. “Don’t let the sun set on your anger, Son.”

“I won’t.”

Tony made his way to where Juliet was reading by the fire. She looked up from her book but said nothing.

“What are you reading?”

“Just a novel.”

“No agricultural tomes?” Tony picked up the book and looked at the spine. “Rob Roy—another romance.”

Sophia joined them by the fire. “Juliet is always reading romances.

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