The Lost Heir by Candee Fick

Author:Candee Fick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Candee Fick
Published: 2020-10-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Mid-March

Reuben strode away from the public house with two squares of fabric tucked away in his coat pockets and a smile on his face.

One was cloth from the Armston Weaving Cooperative’s newly operational water-powered loom that he had used to demonstrate the consistent quality they could deliver.

The other was a color sample from the livery of an estate to their northwest. Assuming Reuben’s workers could match the dye and the resulting thread was approved by the steward, it would be his third recurring contract including the order from Armstrong Park.

Mr. Radcliff would likely be surprised when Reuben delivered his first loan payment at the end of the month.

There was a benefit from turning his emotional turmoil into action.

And while he was trying not to calculate the date of Kathleen’s possible return too soon, he was already composing a letter to share the progress with her.

“Ho there, Mr. Cooke.”

Reuben turned back as the butcher hurried across the muddy street.

“The earl’s housekeeper was just here and asked me to deliver a letter for you.” The man waved a folded packet in his beefy hand and waggled his eyebrows. “From London.”

“Thank you.” Reuben met the man halfway and accepted the letter with a quick head bob that sufficed for manners in the village.

The action was probably far from proper in Kathleen’s circles nowadays, but how was one to know if one shopkeeper ranked above a fellow merchant? Or if as a younger man he should defer to his elders?

At any rate, the man nodded in return, then hastened back to his establishment.

Leaving Reuben alone in the middle of the street with another treasure. And it had arrived on his birthday no less.

Not wanting to wait to read it but also desiring privacy, he slipped around the corner of the old mill building and seated himself on a rock beside the slowly rotating wheel before breaking the seal.

He smiled at Kathleen’s stated purpose that in honor of his birthday, she was deliberately avoiding a description of yet another ball gown and instead relaying something of more interest to men.

He read on with interest as she revealed the bit of information she’d learned about war. If only he was there to debate the strategies in play.

You will never believe the lengths I had to go to in order to glean this information. I fear my position near the drapery invited the wrong impression but I soon made my escape.

Escape? Had she been in danger with him half a country away?

Suddenly he had half a mind to write to the earl and request an increased watch over Kathleen’s safety.

I am baffled to fathom why Baron Tattersall would have any interest in me other than the amusement of a conquest. I have no anticipation of wealth or position to attract his attention.

While he has sponsored my season, Lord Wiltshire has made no mention of a dowry or proposed a settlement upon a suitor. Likewise, the countess continues to hint that I should set my affections on a younger son whose family would be content with their improved connections.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.