Brides Of Privilege (v1.3) by Kasey Michaels & Ruth Langan & Carolyn Zane

Author:Kasey Michaels & Ruth Langan & Carolyn Zane [Michaels, Kasey & Langan, Ruth & Zane, Carolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-29T17:29:03+00:00

Chapter 7

What’s this, old man?” William looked up from the table, where he was neatly writing in a column of figures in one of Lord Kent’s ledgers.

Duncan was standing behind him, holding out his dark coat, which looked as clean as when it was new. “I hung this on the branch of a tree and brushed it. I figured you’d want to be looking your best today.”

“Looking my best? Whatever for?”

The old man merely smiled. “The lass has to walk all the way to town this morning for Sunday services, carrying that heavy basket on her arm.”

William gave him a suspicious look. “I suppose you volunteered my services.”

“Not in so many words. But I—” the old man had the good manners to look ashamed “—I did suggest that you might be willing to lend a hand.”

“If you’re so concerned, why didn’t you offer to go yourself?”

Duncan rubbed his knee. “I would but all these extra chores I’ve taken on have made the old joints a bit stiff.”

“I see. Very well.” William allowed himself to be helped into his coat. He gave a last lingering look at the ledgers, then turned away. At the door he paused to see the boy and man watching him. “If you hear that the church collapsed on the entire congregation, you’ll know why. I’m not sure the town of Surrey is ready for this.”

“You’ll do just fine, sir.” Duncan limped to the door and stood watching as William started across the field toward Molly’s cottage. When he closed the door, his limp was suddenly forgotten. He turned to his grandson. “Come, lad. Let’s take Wolf for a nice long walk through the forest. Maybe we’ll take a basket along in case we spy any blueberries.”

* * *

“William.” Molly couldn’t hide her surprise when she found him standing on her stoop. “I was just about to leave for town.”

He took the basket from her arm. “I thought I’d walk along.” He glanced up at the sunlight spilling over the edges of high, ruffled clouds. “It looks like a grand day for a walk.”

She latched the door, and was even more surprised when he offered his arm. Her own smile widened as she linked her arm with his. “It does indeed.”

He studied the parcels inside the basket, wrapped in plain white linen to shield them from the dust of the road. “Are you pleased with the gown and shawl?”

“Oh, aye. More than pleased. I only hope Mistress Cannon will be, as well.”

“And how can she not?” He closed a hand over hers. “Tell me. Can any other woman in Surrey sew as fine a seam as you?”

“Nay. I had a fine teacher. But I’ve learned that in this life, success doesn’t always come to the one who does the best job, but rather to the one who wields the most influence.”

He’d know something about that. Because of his father’s wrathful edict, he’d found many doors closed to him. There were many in England who believed that the disinherited son of an earl must be a scoundrel.

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