Love Among the Spices by Briggs Laura

Author:Briggs, Laura
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: regency romance, historic romance, regency series, regency ebook
Publisher: Laura Briggs

*****

Adam Nimbley had spent a great deal of time considering what to do when Marianne Stuart was no longer in London. He applied himself vigorously to his study of caterpillars in the captivity of a netting cage he had fashioned, then to his sketches of butterflies native to Kent from his summer observation.

But none of these afforded him relief from his interest in the young lady, nor his desire to speak with her again. The Marianne he had encountered in his uncle’s shop reminded him more keenly of the young girl in the woods than the elegant miss of the Sanford’s ball, and young Nimbley had hoped the spirited side of her character might emerge again in less glamorous settings.

In the meantime, he grew moody and disconsolate; he did not finish his dinner nor touch his tea. He wandered about with a restless energy one afternoon, then languished at home in the library upon another, his gaze fixed upon an atlas’s page as his mind wandered elsewhere.

“Would you allow me to go into the country for a bit, Father?” he asked.

The baronet had been snoring before the fireplace, but was awake at the sound of his youngest son’s voice. “Away?” he said. “Whatever for? ‘Tis the Season, my boy. You must have engagements in London to keep you busy anon.”

Adam stirred. “My uncle is going to Winchelsea to see the damaged ship in harbor there,” he said. “I thought I might accompany him. He might be in need of assistance if his business there is long.”

Sir George grunted. “Your cousin is ample assistance for my brother if he needs it."

Adam was silent for a moment. “Then I thought I might pay a visit to Sir Allen in Esher at his invitation,“ he said. “It is on the road to Winchelsea, so you need not trouble with the carriage. My uncle shall break his journey there as often does; or else I shall take a horse and ride there myself.”

Something of the eagerness veiled in his tone seemed to reach Sir George’s ear. He looked away from the fire’s glow to his son’s face, with an intent study that served to render the young man’s complexion more pale than wont.

“So you are to be away, no matter what the means?” he asked. “Well, then, be away if you so choose. The society of London can wait, I suppose.”

Young Nimbley relaxed. “Thank you, Father,” he answered. “I will not be gone long. But a few days. I shall return in time to honor the card which Lady Lufton kindly sent for her dinner party.” With that, he made his escape from the room, taking the stairs to his chamber with more energy than he had known for several weeks.

Did Sir George suspect there were other motives at work? Such a thought crossed Adam’s mind as he made haste to pack his things and write a note of acceptance to their friends. He tucked his journal of natural observation into his luggage, along with a book of botany and his edition of Paley identical to Marianne’s copy.

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