Langley's Choice by Kate Dolan

Author:Kate Dolan
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781894942423
Publisher: Zumaya Publications LLC
Published: 2003-07-14T21:00:00+00:00

Though he would have preferred the shorter trip by river to Hill Crest, Josiah felt he really must ride over and at least offer to return the horse. With his own gone, he hoped to borrow the animal for a time, but if Carter insisted he return it—well, he would be embarrassed to have to send for the animal.

Branches snagged at his hair and coat periodically during the ride. Had he been wearing a periwig, it would have probably taken a permanent home in one of the trees. His stockings, though, fared better than they had during his earlier walk up the steep path from Carter’s dock.

After dismounting and leaving the horse in a vacant stall in the stables, Josiah smoothed his hair back as best he could and tried to tuck in one piece that had come loose near his face. He brushed the loose leaves from his coat then stamped his feet and shook himself a few times to dislodge any more that might remain unseen. He had no wish for a green tail this time. If he did see the sisters, he wanted to give them no reason to giggle.

He knocked, and blinked in surprise when John Carter himself answered the door.

“Good morning, Mr. Throckmorton. Or I believe it is afternoon now?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, sir.” Josiah wondered if he would even be invited inside; his host seemed frozen in the doorway.

“Please, come in.” Carter slowly moved aside and urged him through the door. The house seemed unusually quiet. What was missing? There was no sound of conversation or movement from the family parlor, and no laughter from the back of the house. After a moment, the noise level did increase; Josiah heard the sound of pots crashing, then a scream and someone crying.

Crying. Of course—the girls would be crying for Charles.

“Would you care for some refreshment, Mr. Throckmorton?”

Josiah smiled gratefully. “If it would not be too much trouble.” The long ride had left a dry, dusty taste in his mouth.

John Carter picked up his bell, looked at it sadly for a moment then rang as usual. In the back of the house, a door squeaked open.

“But it’s not fair! You make me do everything!”

“It’s your turn, you—”

Another squeak indicated the door had shut, preventing Josiah from eavesdropping further on the argument. A moment later, Miss Carter stepped through the doorway into the main room where he and his host sat.

“You rang, Father?” She wiped her hands on her apron and blushed as she looked from her father to Josiah. Her gaze quickly turned back to Carter.

“Yes, my dear. Would you be so kind as to bring us two mugs of warm punch?”

“Yes, of course.” She kept her eyes focused on her father’s face then turned abruptly and headed to the back of the house.

After some moments, Josiah realized his mouth was hanging open, and he closed it without a word. Carter answering his own door. His daughter waiting on guests. Where were the servants?

He looked out the window, as if he expected to find them congregating on the lawn.

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