AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. Actually I rode my horse.”
“They I insist you take our carriage. We can arrange to have your horse delivered back to you tomorrow.”
Berkshire offered a slight bow. “Thank you. I appreciate that kindness.”
Now it was Mother’s turn to blush. In her unnerved state, she turned to Adeline. “See his lordship out, dearest.” She poked her in the arm. No doubt Addie would be black and blue in the morning. Rubbing her arm, she stood as Berkshire drew her chair out.
They left the dining room and headed to the entrance hall. “I am so, so sorry for my mother.”
“No need,” Berkshire said, as he accepted his hat and coat from Grimsley. “My mother was not much different. I think there is something about the birthing process that turns normal, lovely women into scheming matchmakers extraordinaire. Some of the mothers I have encountered would have made excellent field marshals during the Napoleonic wars. We might have defeated him sooner if they had.”
They chatted for a few minutes until Grimsley announced the carriage awaited him in front of the townhouse. Berkshire turned to her once he had shrugged into his coat. “May I call for you tomorrow to take a ride with me and Michael? I’m hoping the weather will clear by then and he might enjoy Hyde
Park.” He took the umbrella that Grimsley held out to him.
Now why did her heart take an extra thump? Was it the way he looked at her? The closeness of his body? The familiar light scent of bay rum and starched linen that always drifted from him? “Yes, I would like that.” Her voice came out breathy. For heaven’s sake. Apparently, Mother was not the only woman in the family who could embarrass herself.
Berkshire glanced out the small window next to the front door. “If the rain continues, perhaps we can take him to one of the museums.”
She nodded, suddenly unable to form words as she looked into his dark brown eyes, similar to the lovely chocolate she drank each morning. She’d never noticed the golden specks before.
“Would two o’clock be acceptable?”
“Yes.” She cleared her throat since the word came out a squeak.
He studied her for a minute as if thinking about something and started to reach out to her. Then he glanced at Grimsley standing there, staring straight ahead, pretending not to notice them. Berkshire nodded briefly, turned and left the house.
Addie closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. The headache forming at the back of her head was slowly making its way up to encompass her entire head. What she wanted more than anything was to climb the stairs, order a hot bath and a tisane, then sleep. But Mother had to be dealt with, or this visit would turn into a disaster.
“Mother, I think you frightened Lord Berkshire.” She entered the dining room just as her parents were rising from the table.
“Nonsense.” They both sat back down, most likely ready to do battle. Mother shook her head. “If you want to bring the man up to scratch, you have to move forward. It never hurts to do a bit of nudging.”
“Nudging? Mother, you practically slammed him over the head with a hundred-page marriage contract. And there is no ‘bringing him up to scratch.’ I explained to you before that I am only here with his lordship to provide an opinion on who he might hire to teach his son sign language.”
Mother pointed her finger at Addie. “Do not fool yourself, young lady. I saw the way he looked at you. And he certainly needs a mother for that poor little boy. And it would solve your problem, as well.”
“What problem would that be, Mother?” Addie held her breath, fearing what her mother would say, but knowing in her heart what she would hear.
“You, working at that store. You could give all of that up and take your proper place in society. I’m sure Lord Berkshire would love to once again live in London and assume his parliamentary duties.”
“No. In fact, Lord Berkshire prefers to live away from London. As far as his parliamentary duties go, he is apparently able to attend to them from Bath.” Addie took a seat and poured another cup of tepid tea, rather than ask for a fresh pot to be brought. Maybe it would help her headache.
Her mother drew her always present white-laced handkerchief from the sleeve of her dress. She patted the corner of her dry eye. “I don’t understand you, Adeline. Every woman wants the financial security of marriage and a home of her own.”
“I have security, and I have a home.”
“I want to see you settled before I die.”
Drama. “Mother, I am settled, and I am certain you have many more years to live.” And badger me.
“But you don’t understand.” More patting of her dry eyes. “I want grandchildren before I am too old and feeble to lift them.”
Addie wondered for a minute how rude it would be to bang one’s head on the dining room table. Too rude, for sure.
“Mother, you know I love you. And Father, as well. However, right now I am very tired from our journey today and would like to retire. I beg you not to be quite so ‘enthusiastic’ with Lord Berkshire. He is in London for a specific purpose. To find help for his son. That is why I am here, as well, to help him help his son.”
Mother patted her hand. More dry eye patting with her other hand. “Very well. I imagine you are fatigued. I will have Molly—our new maid—draw a bath for you and send up a tisane.”
