Had he ever made her laugh?
What was he going to do?
He needed to talk to his friend and steered Zeus to the road leading to the Evans estate. Richard had been through this whole courtship matter not long ago. Perhaps he could shed some light on the subject… at least Hartley hoped so.
Zeus ate up the miles, and an hour later, the manor came into view.
“Good boy,” Hartley said, patting the horse’s neck. When he reached the front drive, a groom came to take his horse. “Give him some oats. He’s had a hard ride.”
“Of course, my lord,” the young groom said.
Hartley walked to the front door and let the knocker bang down. He was fidgeting from foot to foot when the door opened. “I need to see Evans!”
“My lord?”
“Now!”
The butler stepped back, clearly startled by Hartley’s vehemence. “He’s in the parlor, my lord. Allow me to escort you,” he said, leading him up the stairs.
Hartley didn’t wait to be announced but rushed into the room. “Evans, I need you.” Much to his surprise, Wiltshire was also in the parlor.
“Hartley, what’s wrong?” Wiltshire asked.
It was at that moment Hartley realized that his friends’ wives were also in the room. “My apologies, Your Grace, Lady Evans, for my interruption, but I need my friend’s advice.”
Mercy rose from her seat. “No apology necessary, my lord. We shall leave you gentlemen to your conversation,” she said as she and Helena left the room.
“Now tell me, Jon, what’s gotten you into such a state of distress?” Wiltshire asked.
Hartley began to pace the room. Now that he was here, he didn’t know where to begin.
“Care for a brandy?” Richard asked.
He nodded, and Richard went to the sideboard, pouring out three glasses of the amber liquid.
Jon took the glass and downed it in one gulp. “I saw her.”
“Who?”
“She was laughing with Cawley.”
“I can only assume you’re talking about Lady Harriet,” Richard said.
“Of course I am. Who else would I be talking about?”
“Jon, tell us what happened because it’s not a crime to laugh,” Wiltshire said.
Hartley turned to his friend. “I want to marry her, NOW!”
Wiltshire held up his hand. “Hold on a minute; before we seek Lord Collin’s permission for Harriet to marry, I want to know what happened.”
Hartley nodded. “I went to call on Lady Harriet, and when I walked into the parlor, she was…was holding onto his arm and laughing.”
“Is that all?”
“Isn’t that enough? Obviously that young buck is enamored with her.”
“Oh, I see,” Richard said. “I suspect someone’s jealousy has reared its ugly head.”
