The Vicar and the Thief (Fernley Family A Regency-era Romance Book 4) by Angela Johnson

Author:Angela Johnson [Johnson, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pemberley Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-04-10T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Gilbert woke from a blissful slumber with a smile on his face. He’d fallen asleep thinking about Miss Davenport and the masterful way she’d played the violin. The conversation they’d shared afterward had been strained, but he wasn’t deterred in his decision to make another offer of courtship.

It had been obvious, as they’d chatted over lime punch and raspberry tarts, that Miss Davenport was nervous about something. Gilbert liked to think her reaction was caused by a nervous tension that would soon indicate she was falling for him.

Refreshed and ready for another day of morning visits before a night of dancing, Gilbert nearly waltzed into the breakfast room. Nothing could dissuade him from a cheerful countenance. Not even the frowns upon Baxter’s and Phineas’s faces. He was determined to keep the happiness he’d found the previous night as a talisman against anything they had to say.

“Another theft was reported last night. The Dunlop’s lost a family heirloom.” Baxter looked perplexed. “Why did they not have a servant watching the valuables?”

Gilbert silently prepared a plate at the sideboard while his brothers spoke about the theft of a diamond ring. As he sat next to his mother, Gilbert reached for the butter. Spreading it across his bread, he allowed the contentment borne from pure happiness to rest upon his shoulders. Miss Davenport was right—speaking about the Beau Monde Phantom was a bit boring.

“I do not think he is listening to us.” Phineas tossed a crust of bread that managed to hit Gilbert in the nose.

“Pardon me?” Gilbert said as he removed the offending crust that had landed on his plate. He tried to glare at his brother but found he had too much joy to do so. “If you’d prefer not to eat the crust, I am certain Cook can trim a few slices for you.”

“Really, Phineas. You have the worst manners of any of my children.” Gigi’s disappointment met a mischievous smirk.

“I do apologize, Gigi. Although it has never been so difficult to hold Gilbert’s attention.” Phineas pointed to the newspaper and glared at it. “Have you no interest in the Beau Monde Phantom’s newest theft?”

“No. I do not.”

Baxter placed his fork and knife on the table making a point of showing his surprise. “Is it possible you have finally set your cap?”

Phineas shook his head. “I would be the first to know if he’d made such a bold move.”

Adelia scoffed and poked Phineas in the arm. “What makes you think he would confide in you first?”

“We are twins, my dear. If he has requested a woman’s hand in marriage, he would inform me before all others. It would be disloyal to our bond if not.”

Gilbert lifted his hands in front of him to stop further debate. “I have not secured her hand, but I have made my decision.”

“Very well. Which lady will be Mrs. Gilbert Fernley?” Phineas pulled the notebook out of his pocket and removed the sheet he’d ripped out weeks ago. This was the record of his brothers’ wagers.

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