Maid for Romance (The Love Birds Series Book 4) by Ruth J. Hartman

Author:Ruth J. Hartman [Hartman, Ruth J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: esKape Press
Published: 2015-04-29T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The next morning, Daniel returned to the library to replace another book he’d borrowed from Mr. Radcliff. He’d not seen Leah today. But then he hadn’t really expected to. He’d said his piece. His heart might never recover from letting her go, but he’d done the right thing.

At least for her.

“Finding something interesting, Daniel?”

Daniel jumped and turned to find Percy, Mr. Radcliff’s uncle. Of course, Daniel would have preferred to address Percy as Mr. Radcliff as well, but the older man wouldn’t hear of it. Insisting on everyone calling him Uncle Percy, whether or not they were kin. Percy never failed to bring entertainment to those with whom he found favor. But that was a kind way of saying that the man was a loon.

“Hello, Uncle Percy.”

Percy tilted his head toward a row of books farther down to the left. “Have you tried any of these?”

Daniel peered around Percy’s balding head to view them. Ah yes. Percy’s tomes about the various birds of England. “No. I haven’t.”

“But you must. You haven’t really lived until you’ve learned the mating habits of the common cuckoo.”

Daniel bit his lip. He could think of many things he’d rather do than read about that. “Is that so?”

“Oh my yes. I’ve often wished I was one of the males so I could truly experience what they do.”

“I fail to see how—”

“Their tiny hearts fluttering when they first spot their future mate.”

“Perhaps we shouldn’t—”

“Rapid beating of their wings as they hover over her to get her with egg.”

Daniel held up his finger. “You see—”

“The feeling of triumph for the male as the female bird cries out when she—”

Oh no. “Uncle Percy.”

He blinked. “Yes?”

Time to divert his attention from talk of birds. Think of something. “You’ve… of course met Mrs. Radcliff’s companion Leah?”

He nodded. “Lovely girl. Remarkable hair.”

“Yes, well…”

“Does it not remind you of yellow feathers?”

“I’ve never—”

“The sheen, the silky-looking texture reminiscent of a feather’s fine tuft.”

The man truly should have been placed at Bedlam years ago. Lucky for him that his nephew loved him enough to tolerate his madness at home. “I don’t believe I’ve ever thought of her hair in quite that light.”

“Then you should. At once. Think of all the time you’re wasting by not doing it.”

It took everything in Daniel not to roll his eyes. “Perhaps I shall. Thank you for the advice, Uncle Percy.”

Percy waved his hand. “Think nothing of it. I’m always glad to offer my assistance when a young man is smitten.”

How would he know that? Daniel raised his eyebrows.

“Come now, Daniel. It’s as plain as the beak on a bird’s face. You’ve a tendre for the pretty young lady, haven’t you?”

As crazy as the man was, Percy did have an uncanny ability to spot young love. Daniel had heard that Percy had once done the same for Mr. Radcliff, encouraging him to seek out Mrs. Radcliff’s favor before they were wed and Mr. Radcliff was unsure of his feelings. He didn’t want to lie and say Percy was wrong, so he shrugged.

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