Chapter Seventeen
Winston sat at the dining table as the lively conversation flowed around him. Despite the cheerful chatter, his thoughts were heavy. The idea of Mattie having hordes of suitors lining up to meet her gnawed at him. How could she not attract them? She was unlike any young woman he knew. Mattie was undeniably beautiful, clever and full of wit. She was precisely the type of woman that he always envisioned he would marry. But life had a way of shattering dreams.
White stepped into the dining room and met Winston’s gaze. “The constable wishes for a moment of your time, my lord,” he announced.
“Very well,” Winston said, pushing back his chair. He glanced at the ladies. “Excuse me.”
Mattie looked over at him, offering a private smile that warmed his heart. He returned her smile, leaning closer to her, feeling an immense desire to be near her. “Do not let my mother’s enthusiasm for the Season overwhelm you,” he remarked.
“I won’t,” Mattie assured him.
“Good, because I have no doubt you will do remarkably well this Season,” he praised, rising from his seat.
Winston departed from the dining room and headed towards the entry hall. There, he saw the tall, broad-shouldered constable with a scar that ran along his chin. Mr. Strunk held his hat in his hand as he acknowledged Winston with a tip of his head. “Good morning, my lord,” he greeted.
“Good morning,” Winston responded.
“I hope I did not come at a bad time,” Mr. Strunk said.
“You did no such thing,” Winston remarked. “Is Isaac in custody?”
Mr. Strunk shook his head. “Unfortunately, I went to the cottage where Mr. Blythe was supposedly residing, and he was not there.”
“Where could he be?” Winston asked, frustration lacing his voice.
“It appears as if he had left in a hurry. The cottage looked as if it had been ransacked,” Mr. Strunk informed him.
“Wonderful,” Winston muttered.
Mr. Strunk grew solemn. “I have a few men looking for Mr. Blythe and I have no doubt that he will eventually turn up.”
Winston frowned, his mind racing with the potential havoc Isaac could wreak before he was caught. “I want him found and punished for breaking into my home,” he said firmly.
“And he will be,” Mr. Strunk assured him. “Have some patience. Mr. Blythe will be in my custody soon enough.”
Knowing there was little he could do but wait, Winston nodded in acknowledgement. “Inform me at once when Isaac is in custody.”
“I will,” Mr. Strunk responded before he departed from the manor.
As he went to turn around, he found himself face to face with Elodie. She smiled. “Hello, Brother,” she said innocently.
“What are you doing here?” Winston asked.
“Nothing,” Elodie replied with a casual shrug. “I was justhoping to speak to my brother for a moment. Is that wrong of me?”
“It depends on what you wish to speak about,” Winston said warily.
Elodie placed a hand on her chest, feigning innocence once more. “Shall we speak in the drawing room so others cannot overhear this conversation?”
The last thing Winston wanted to do was engage in one of Elodie’s schemes, but he knew she would continue to pester him until he gave in. He might as well get it over with.
Winston gestured towards the drawing room. “After you, Sister,” he said.
Elodie brushed past him and entered the drawing room. Once she stood in the middle, she spun back around and lowered her voice. “When are you going to make your intentions known to Mattie?”
Winston sighed. He should have known that Elodie would wish to talk about such a difficult topic. “I’m not,” he responded curtly.
“Whyever not?” Elodie asked, her tone incredulous. “You care for her, she cares for you… the next step is a baby in the cradle.”
