Colonel Fitzwilliam's Challenge by Jennifer Joy

Author:Jennifer Joy [Joy, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jennifer Joy
Published: 2015-11-27T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Course after course came and went. Miss Mauvier spoke enthusiastically with Mr. Thorpe on one side, and Mr. Hepplewhite on the other. Whatever she said, it flushed her cheeks, brightened her eyes, and brought admiration from the gentlemen seated next to her. It unsettled Richard so much that he had to make it a point to look away, satisfying himself with turning his ear to that part of the table where his eyes could not bear to look. If it were not for the constant yammering of Mrs. Dovedale, perhaps Richard could have caught the gist of their conversation. Alas, he heard nothing. Mrs. Dovedale saw to that. No wonder Dovedale worked more hours than he spent at home. His was not a relaxing refuge from a burdensome day. After two hours, Richard thought he might go mad.

Mr. Hepplewhite clapped vigorously on hearing what Richard guessed must be good news, drawing everyone’s attention.

Father said, “There seems to be some celebration here. Please, do share with us your cause for applause.

Richard felt Dovedale glare at him.

“Pray forgive my enthusiasm. I have heard such wonderful news this evening, and I fear my reaction has embarrassed the lady.” Mr. Hepplewhite looked at Miss Mauvier, who sat taller in her seat at the accusation.

Mother clasped her hands together, smiling at the young woman. “You have good news, Miss Mauvier? Do share it with us so that we might rejoice with you.”

Richard allowed himself a glimpse of Miss Mauvier and felt his heart melt. He held his breath to keep from sighing.

Miss Mauvier, her eyes tilted up at the corners, said through plump, cheerful lips, “It is the best of news for someone in my position. Only yesterday, I secured a property on Bond Street for my business.”

Aunt Beatrice huffed. Mrs. Dovedale curled her upper lip in a sort of snarl for not being the center of attention. Father ordered champagne. Dovedale folded his arms, and continued to glare at Richard.

Blast it all. Richard clenched his jaw until it hurt, pulling his gaze away from Miss Mauvier and down to contemplate his fork. Information he should have found out first had been revealed publicly and in plain sight of the very man he needed to please. No wonder Dovedale looked at him so disapprovingly. Blast! Stabbing his hand with the fork would hurt less than the cut of failure.

Richard held up his champagne fluke with the rest, but his mind worked on the implications of this newly discovered knowledge. A property on Bond Street would not come cheaply. It must have happened after Miss Mauvier and Aunt Beatrice had left Matlock House yesterday after tea.

Aunt Beatrice poked his boot with her cane. “She intends to live there as well. I suppose I will have to get used to living alone again just as before.”

Not only had Miss Mauvier leased a shop, but also the dwelling above it. Richard estimated what the cost would be to live and work in such a sought after neighborhood. It was precisely what Dovedale had instructed him to find out: large expenditures of money.

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