Chosen by the Lieutenant by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2015-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Phipps took a cordial leave of his host and went upstairs to the very comfortable chamber that had been prepared for him. He was pleasantly tired, though unused to such early hours, for in London he had been accustomed to staying out to the early hours and despite the long journey would readily have sat up another hour or two.

He loosened his cravat and Lord Hamilton’s footman pulled off his boots for him, before asking if there was anything more he needed.

‘No, thank you, Jenks,’ he said pleasantly. ‘I sometimes like to take a stroll outside before I sleep, though I shall not tonight—but in the general way...is there a side door that I can use to let myself in and out?’

‘I’m sure I could provide you with a key, sir,’ Jenks said. ‘Most of the doors are locked and bolted, but there is a little side door that we usually leave for those returning late to their duties...a servants’ entrance, sir.’

‘That would suit me very well. You may show me tomorrow. Thank you.’

After the man had gone, Phipps sat down in a chair by the fireplace. No fire was burning for he had prevented the footman setting a match to it earlier. He was not cold, used as he was to much harsher conditions when in the army.

Pouring himself a brandy, he swirled the rich liquid in the huge balloon glass and stared at it reflectively. Lord Hamilton’s house was large, but of no great age, and built more with comfort than grandeur in mind, which was a blessing for both the family and friends. His own house was much older—at least one wing of it was and the others had been built on in later centuries. It had a certain charm and he was in his way quite fond of the ancient house, but he thought Amanda might find it uncomfortable after living in such a house as this. Of course they would have a choice of residences once they were married, for she had her own estate, though Lord Hamilton had told him that the house was smaller than this and nothing remarkable.

‘The land is the best part of the estate,’ he’d told him. ‘There is a great deal of property scattered about, though none of it would make a comfortable home for a gentleman’s family. You may have to consider building on another wing—or pulling the whole down and rebuilding.’

‘I must discover what Amanda wishes before I think of either,’ Phipps said and the subject had been closed.

He sat thoughtfully, sipping his brandy and reflecting on the changes looming. Life was certainly going to be interesting for the foreseeable future; he would find it a challenge to administer his wife’s estates, because he would not be content unless they flourished. He owed it to her to give her something in return for taking him, because his fortune was nowhere near the equal of hers. Yet despite a slight awkwardness when he first learned just how wealthy she was, he had come to accept and look forward to the challenge.

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