Fortune's Wish by Eileen Richards & Fortunes of Fate

Author:Eileen Richards & Fortunes of Fate [Richards, Eileen & Fate, Fortunes of]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The afternoon was waning as John entered his sister’s house. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face. The time he had spent with Victoria had given him cause for hope. He wasn’t ready to go to her father, but he was close. He had to be sure when he asked, she’d say yes. He wasn’t sure, yet.

He made his way to the library at the back of the house, hoping there was a tea cart or something there. He’d missed luncheon and was starving. If Matthews was in the library, there was a good chance that there would be a heavily laden food cart there as well. The man was always eating. Matthews glanced up from his ledger as John entered the room.

“Mucking the stalls must have done you some good,” Matthews said. “You look happier than I’ve ever seen you.”

“Why does everyone seem to think I don’t like work?” John muttered. He glanced around the room. Where was the damn tray?

“What are you looking for?”

“Food. It always seems to appear when you are in this room.” He poured himself a small brandy instead and plopped into one of the larger chairs.

“I take it that you spent time with a certain young lady?”

“That would be correct. Her father insisted she show me their stables and pastures.”

“Is there an engagement announcement coming soon?”

“Why isn’t there a tea tray? It’s tea time.”

“Tea time was several hours ago and you’re avoiding the question.”

“Because it’s none of your business. Ring for tea. I’m starving.”

Matthews rang for the tea tray. “Mucking horse shite does give a man an appetite.”

“Indeed, it does.”

Matthews set his pen down carefully. “Should I expect a visit from Penwith demanding you marry his daughter?”

“Bloody hell, Matthews. What do you take me for?”

Matthews shrugged. “Just remembering my inability to maintain decorum around the woman I loved. It wasn’t that long ago.”

“Apparently, I have more self-control than you do. Nothing happened that would send her father storming down here making demands.” Much.

A maid appeared with a tray loaded with sandwiches, a large tea pot and tarts. Matthews motioned her to place it on the table nearest John. He wasted no time filling a small plate with several sandwiches and tarts. Biting into one, he almost moaned.

Matthews relaxed. “This is ending quite tidily for both families. Penwith gets his membership and you get a wife.”

“See what planning will get you, Matthews?” John grinned and tucked into his plate. This was all going to end nice and tidy. He had not always been fond of a tidy life.. It was boring, expected, predictable. But this worked. He’d have a partner in life who had the same passion for horses as he. He’d have a woman to make a home with. He’d have someone who loved him, and whom he loved in return. Yes, he could get used to this kind of tidy.

A footman appeared in the doorway. “Sir, Mr. Luke Connells to see you.”

“Connells, why would he be here?” Matthews said.

John sat up. “He’s probably here to see me.

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