Man Most Worthy by Ruth Axtell Morren

Author:Ruth Axtell Morren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2008-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

Macey served herself to some sausage from the sideboard and set down the silver tongs. “I like your gentleman.”

Alice looked up from the array of breakfast dishes. “I beg your pardon?”

Her friend filled her plate with eggs and broiled tomatoes before replying. “I said I approve of your Mr. Tennent. He strikes me as a man who knows what he wants.”

Alice felt an immediate dislike of Macey’s description. It made Nick sound too much like her father. “Mr. Tennent isn’t mine. I’m sure he’d be the first to tell you that. We met very briefly years ago, and I was so glad to see him again, to see that he’d achieved what he’d set out to do. I always felt badly that Father had been such a difficult employer.”

Macey chuckled. “Excuse me, my dear, I didn’t mean to imply that you had any but friendly interest in Mr. Tennent.”

Even as Alice searched the older lady’s expression for irony, she continued. “I was very impressed with him. I had a nice conversation with him before dinner, and of course, during. It was a very pleasant evening all in all.” Macey shook her head. “It is hard to picture him from his humble origins.”

“Yes, I’m still overwhelmed by what he has become. He told me once that his mother was a governess, so I’m sure she gave him a good foundation in learning and manners.”

“Ah, that would explain it.” Her friend seated herself at the table. “May I pour you a cup of tea?”

“Yes, please.” Alice finished serving herself and joined Macey. “He wasn’t with Father’s firm very long.” She looked down, fingering her knife. She’d never told the other woman about her friendship with Nicholas. “Father wasn’t very fair to him when he had a riding accident.” At the look of inquiry on the other woman’s face, she nodded toward the window. “It happened right here at Richmond. It was really my fault.” She proceeded to recount the horseback riding incident to her.

“Goodness, my dear, it certainly wasn’t your fault. You behaved very responsibly. Victor should have been horse-whipped for instigating such a thing.”

“I agree.” She shook her head bitterly. “Father wouldn’t even send him away. Instead, he ended up firing Mr. Tennent when he couldn’t perform his work.” That wasn’t the whole truth but she couldn’t talk about the rest. It was too private and too painful a memory.

Macey set down her fork and knife and pondered. “The last time I saw Victor, he was at the Goodwins’ house party right before the Derby. He was showing off his new wife as if she’d been one of the fillies.”

“Yes, he’s married now and has two children. He’s been my solicitor since Julian passed away. Geoffrey recommended him to me, though my insignificant affairs are hardly worth his trouble.”

Alice stirred her tea then blinked at the sight of Nicholas and Austen entering the room together, her son actually smiling up at the man. It gave her a pang. Julian should have been walking into breakfast with his son.

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