A Duke's Daughter by Kathleen Buckley

Author:Kathleen Buckley [Buckley, Kathleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Georgian romance; arranged marriage; murder; former pirate; amateur sleuths
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: 2020-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

When the butler came to the parlor, as Olivia quaintly termed it, to inform Emily that Mr. Kimber had called to see Mistress Sarah again, she was of two minds. She could instruct Givens to say the ladies were not at home. Will Kimber might not recognize it for a polite evasion. On the other hand, Sarah missed his company, as he had apparently visited the Cole house two or three times a week, even after he had moved his workshop out of town. Olivia Easterday might make an unsentimental decision; Emily, having often wished for closer family connections than she had ever had, could not. She bade Givens show Will Kimber into the parlor.

“I know Sarah would not want to miss your visit, Mr. Kimber. She and Mistress Easterday have gone out for a walk, but they should return soon. Will you wait?”

“Ay.” He seemed to search for something else to say. “Thank you.”

They sat, and Emily tried to think of some topic of conversation. Either Will Kimber was also wracking his brain or he simply did not see the need for talk.

The sound of Sarah and Olivia’s voices came as a welcome relief. The butler murmured, and then Sarah burst into the salon, followed more slowly by Olivia.

“Will! I hope you haven’t had to wait long.”

He rose and took her hands before releasing them and turning to make his bow to Olivia.

“Ma’am, may I show Will the garden? I know you wish to take a little rest now. I have so much to tell him, and it would only bore you and Mistress Emily.”

Emily saw her hostess hesitate, Olivia’s glance darting to her.

“I will be here, embroidering, Olivia, so you can have a nap in good conscience.” Meaning, The garden is small, and I will keep an eye upon them.

“I am somewhat weary,” Olivia admitted. “Very well, Sarah, you may entertain your guest. Good day, Mr. Kimber.”

Sarah burbled cheerfully as she led her cousin through the hall to the glazed double doors into the walled garden. Emily moved to the northwest corner of the informal drawing room. She could see most of the garden by shifting her chair only a few inches. Bending her head over her embroidery—a monogrammed handkerchief for Ambrose—she kept her eyes on Sarah and Will. She would make no progress on the initial, but really, what was the point of giving her husband a handkerchief she had made with her own hands when he was facing trial and execution? If they loved each other, it might be a cherished memento. As it was, she might as well buy him one. The thought that he might carry one she had embroidered as he mounted the gallows made her feel ill.

Rather to her surprise, the pair showed no sign of wishing to slip away to the other end of the garden. Instead, they sat on a garden bench well within Emily’s field of vision. The girl was in full spate of words, smiling and once laughing.

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