Rose went on. “Needless to say, she has rejected most and only tolerated a few. Her parents have lost patience. Theon ditamong the servants is that she and her mother had a major row last night, and the results are that Lady Clara will be betrothed to the first suitable candidate, whether or not she agrees.”
Michael and Beth stared at Rose, while Robert fiddled with the remains of his breakfast. Michael knew his sister-in-law’s gossip network among the servants was legendary, but he didn’t realize it was quite so efficient. “You heard all this today? Already?”
She nodded. “I was in Mrs. Hodges’s parlor working on today’s schedule when I overheard the scullery maids. Because of the incident on Monday, they have been in touch with Lady Clara’s maid.”
Robert peered at Rose. “What incident?”
“It was nothing,” Michael muttered.
Rose smiled at him, then Robert. “Michael, being Lady Clara’s hero again.” As she detailed the events of Monday, Robert leaned back in his chair and Beth grinned broadly. Michael got up and helped himself to more coffee, which had gone cold in the pot.
“You found her kitten?” Robert asked.
Michael waved it away. “I am no one’s hero. Total coincidence.”
“No such thing,” his brother said.
“You are if you had to battle Rufus to retrieve it,” Beth said. “No wonder Lady Clara looked at you as if you had recently hung the sun and moon in the sky.”
There was that heat in his face again. “I’m sure she did not.” Michael took a sip of the coffee, grimaced, and set the cup aside. “May we talk about something else?”
“As long as it’s not horses,” Beth said. She looked around at one of the footmen. “May I please have more tea? And bring my brothers hot coffee before they scowl themselves into a permanent frown of disappointment?”
As the footman exited, Robert tilted his head, examining Michael. “Are you telling me you have fallen for a woman because she tripped into a mud puddle?”
“I have not—”
Beth touched Robert on the shoulder. “You should have seen him last night, watching her carriage drive away. Stepped out in the middle of the drive. A puppy gazing after a ball that has gone over the fence.”
Michael stiffened. “I beg your pardon.”
“All I can say is that it is about time you turned your attention to something besides the horses,” Beth said.
“Ah,” Robert said. “Speaking of horses—”
“I was not,” Beth hissed.
“Perhaps you could call on her father.” Rose’s calm voice stopped the room.
Michael’s gut tightened with a sense of fear. “I do not think”—he shook his head—“I’m not... I have nothing to offer her.”
Beth stiffened. “The Kennet name is not enough?”
Michael shook his head again, looking down at his plate of cold food. He pushed it away. “I haven’t even decided—”
Robert’s low voice held a sympathetic tone. “You do not think she would be interested in a vicar or a soldier.”
“Most likely not.”
“There are other options.”
Michael looked up at him. “What do you mean?”
His brother grinned but glanced at Beth. “Well, it does involve horses.”
Rose stood, fighting a smile. “I’m going to check on the coffee.”
Beth, snarling once at Robert, also rose. “I’ll go with you. I also wanted to talk to you about your aunt. The one in Yorkshire.”
