An Intimate Arrangement by Nancy Lawrence

Author:Nancy Lawrence
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, short story, england, love story, historical, regency, clean romance, traditional, period romance
Publisher: Nancy Lawrence

Chapter 10

It was nearly three hours before Rick returned to the house and the fine afternoon sky had long since clouded over. By sunset a fine rain had begun to fall. Currant had taken to pacing about the stable yard, weighing the prudence of awaiting his master’s return against the more fulfilling prospect of saddling one of the other horses and setting off in search of him. In the end, he decided that no good could come from his galloping off in search of Mr. Beauleigh when he wasn’t at all certain what direction his master had gone; and he had to be content for the time being to maintain his watch from the yard.

Miss Blessington had ventured to call to him for a cup of tea, but he had declined to leave his post, knowing he wouldn’t be able to enjoy a cup until his master was returned.

In the drawing room, the family gathered around the tea tray, unaware of Rick’s situation or Currant’s vigil. Marianna poured out a glass of milk for Robin and passed it to him, saying, “I have been going over in my mind how I shall bring up a certain matter with you, Robin. I thought of being coy or even trying to trick you into telling me what I wish to know, but I abhor dishonesty and have decided I must be plain with you. Robin, tell me the truth, now: does your friend, Jemmy, have no home?”

A parade of emotions flitted across Robin’s face. “Why do you ask that question?”

“Don’t fence with me, Robin. Does Jemmy have a home or does he not?”

“Well, he doesTo a certain degree.”

“And is that home in our stable?” When he didn’t answer at once, she said, “Robin, I wish you would have told me. Had Mr. Beauleigh not told me of Jemmy’s situation, I wouldn’t have known.”

“How did Mr. Beauleigh know?” he asked, in deep suspicion.

“That isn’t the point. The point is, you should have told me what you were doing.”

From her corner of the room, Miss Blessington asked, “Do you mean to say that child has been sleeping in the stable?”

“Yes, and at Robin’s invitation.”

“But what else could I do?” he asked, plaintively, “for once I discovered Jemmy had nowhere to go, I couldn’t very well turn him out. He’s my friend, Marianna.”

“You should have told me.”

“But you said there was not enough money to care for the three of us so I didn’t expect you would wish to care for Jemmy, too. I thought, perhaps, if I merely shared my portion with him, there would be no harm.”

Marianna’s heart sank. In all the times she had complained over their circumstance or bemoaned their lack of income, she had never once considered what impact her words might have on Robin. Now she was faced with the fact that he had overheard her remarks about their lack of funds and knew all too well their true situation.

She said gently, “There was no harm, Robin, but you should have told me and together we would have made a decision that is best for everyone.

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