Winning the Blacksmith by Morgan Kit

Author:Morgan , Kit
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Angel Creek Press
Published: 2023-06-05T00:00:00+00:00

Oliver didn’t sleep well and yawned on his way down to breakfast. Maybe he should opt to eat in the kitchen so he wouldn’t have to speak to his parents… oh. Too late—they were already seated at the large table. He sighed and entered the dining room. “Morning, Mother, Father.” He glanced at the table he and Etta occupied the night before and his chest warmed. It was hard not to think about their kiss last night after he walked her home.

“Well, don’t just stand there,’ Mother snapped. “Sit. I’d like to talk to you before your brothers arrive.”

“If they arrive,” Father added dryly.

“They get hungry enough, they will,” she countered.

Oliver sat in his usual chair and eyed the bowl of muffins already on the table. “What would you like to say, Mother?” He grabbed one and reached for the crock of butter.

“How did this happen? I thought I raised you better than this.”

He looked at her and sighed. “Mother, Sterling and the others fell in love. How does it usually happen?”

“With contracts, a bit of courting if there’s time, and then over time, of course.”

Dora entered the dining room with a large platter of fried potatoes and set it on the table. Without a word, she retreated to the kitchen.

“Rather sullen, isn’t she?” Father commented.

“After your behavior last night, do you blame her? Don’t expect many warm greetings this morning.” Oliver took a large bite of muffin. He hoped Dora brought the coffee next.

“My behavior was justified,” Mother insisted. “The six of you shocked me. I told your father letting you come to America by yourselves was a bad idea.”

“Now, Cordelia,” Father said. “Young men have to sow their wild oats, as they say. I thought the trip would be good for them.”

“And so it was,” Oliver said. ‘They all fell in love.”

“Did you?” Mother asked.

Part of him didn’t want to answer. “Not yet.”

She gasped. “Don’t you dare, Oliver. Not if you know what’s good for you. Your brothers might be lost to us, but at least you’re still in your right mind.”

He sighed again. “Mother, if I were to fall in love, then I’d marry the girl.”

“You’re not allowed to fall in love here, only in England and to a young lady of good breeding and a wealthy family.”

He rolled his eyes, not caring if it was disrespectful.

“If you’re not in love, then why did that young woman kiss you?” Father asked.

Olive stared at him and realized how tired he was. That kiss kept him up half the night. “That’s Etta for you,” he finally said.

“Hmph, knew it,” Mother said. “A loose woman. I bet the town is full of them.”

Oliver pinched the bridge of his nose as Dora brought the coffee pot and a plate of bacon. She poured Oliver a cup, then left the pot on the table.

Mother gaped at her as she left. “How rude.”

“As were you last night, Mother.” Oliver shoved the pot toward her. “Pour yourself some.”

“Allow me, dear.” Father picked up the pot, filled her cup, then his own.

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