An Escape for Ellie by Susan Karsten

Author:Susan Karsten [Karsten, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Fiction, inspirational fiction, Clean and Wholesome Novels, Religion and Spirituality
ISBN: 9781522398868
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2020-10-20T00:00:00+00:00

26

Halfway home, John slowed his horse to a walk. Thoughts of leaving for London filled his mind. How soon could departure be made, what to pack, what to tell Aunt Leticia?

Solitary travel was in order. He’d go alone. Waiting several days for his aunt to pack did not suit his urgency. Resolved to face down the gossips, eagerness to return to London inspired decisive action. Fear of the tabbies no longer held power over him.

Thoughts of Hillary brought no pain. In fact, the memory of their past love had dwindled to the semblance of a scar. He’d use more caution when he next dipped a toe into the waters of courtship, love, and marriage matters.

He tallied the reasons for attempting to locate a matrimonial prospect. One, retreating from the London scene gave a broader perspective and the space to heal wounds. He didn’t need to hide anymore. Two, counsel from the wise minister. Three…Miss Moore’s pretty face popped into his mind’s eye. Miss Moore’s pressure-free presence at Aurora Manor restored his hope in womanhood. There must be some similar ladies in London—accomplished, yet quiet and humble, studious, yet feminine, beautiful, but not vain. Yes, this was the type of lady to have one’s eye out for. Too bad Ellie Moore wasn’t an eligible parti.

On approach to the estate in the dark, he noticed the way the house was silhouetted black against the midnight blue twinkling sky. He dismounted, opened the latch, guided his horse through the stable’s double doors and led the animal to its stall. A sleepy groom appeared and took over unsaddling and the brushing down of the tired animal.

Striding with purpose toward the quiet house, he looked up and thought he detected movement at a window. That was odd. It was so late. A moment of puzzlement at the window’s odd placement halfway between two floors resolved when he remembered Miss Moore’s room location. Why would she be at her window at this hour?

A spring entered his step. The gift of the lap desk was an ideal way to make it up to her since he’d been the cause of the accident.

The light in her window told him she was awake. Perfect. He’d have Joseph, or better yet, a maid, take the gift upstairs now. Then some of the guilt over his part in her fall would be relieved. The gift, a token of tender wishes for a complete recovery, would say the things he couldn’t voice. Not given the disparity in stations.

Joseph, on duty in the front hall, pulled the door wide, admitted the master, then closed and locked the door. John set the parcel on the hall table, shrugged out of his greatcoat, and handed over his riding crop, gloves, and hat.

“So glad to see ye home, safe. It’s getting dark mighty early these days.” Elderly Joseph pottered around, tidied this, brushed that and in general, fussed over the master.

“Joseph. Thank you, it’s late, so that will be enough. But I do have small a request.

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