“You’re probably right,” Sarah said.
“Finally, we’re in agreement,” Papa said with visible relief.
Willing to grant him his victory, Sarah resumed eating. The conversation turned to Sarah’s niece and her upcoming birthday – a light discussion that offered a mental reprieve from all the tension the day had offered thus far.
Later, however, once Papa had left for his club and Mama had gone to call on a friend for afternoon tea, Sarah turned to Athena. “Are you still willing to help me?”
Athena’s eyes widened. “You heard Papa.”
“Indeed. He forbade me from approaching Brunswick but insisted I not ignore him if he approaches me.” Sarah held Athena’s gaze. “Surely there’s a way to make that happen.”
Athena shook her head. “Your tenacity may prove foolhardy in this instance.”
“I know, but considering my age and the fact that I’ve probably frightened away the last men who might have been interested in me, it’s not as though I have much to lose. On the other hand, there could be much to gain from helping him.”
“Has it not occurred to you that he may not want your help?”
Sarah crossed her arms. “Of course. But he also wants a wife. Me, as it turns out.”
“Until this morning, when you turned him down.”
“And,” Sarah said, deciding not to let her sister’s comment deter her, “if I am able to put him to rights, he could turn out to be a wonderful match.”
“You’re serious?”
“Absolutely.”
Athena slowly nodded. “Very well then. I’ll get to work on a plan right away.”
Contentment filled Sarah’s veins. She was happiest when she was working toward a concrete goal – preferably one involving a rescue of some sort. As projects went, Brunswick would be her biggest yet. She only hoped she was up to the challenge.
Chapter Two
“THE DUKE OF BRUSWICK would like to know if you’re in,” Simmons said the next morning when he located Sarah in the library an hour after breakfast.
She stared at the butler a moment, then turned to her sister. “Is this your doing?”
“No,” Athena said. “The best workable solution I’ve been able to come up with so far involves him coming to your rescue. Not exactly the sort of thing that can be arranged from one day to the next.”
“Hmm...” Sarah murmured, not daring to ponder the peril her younger sister had thought of placing her in.
“Should I tell him you’re out?” Simmons asked.
“No. Please show His Grace into the parlor and tell him I’ll join him there shortly.” Sarah waited until Simmons was gone, then turned to Athena. “He’s back. I can scarcely believe it.”
“Neither can I, but it does make this whole thing a great deal simpler.” Athena frowned. “The logistics involved in staging a robbery or a potential kidnapping would have been quite extensive.”
“That is what you had in mind?”
Athena gave her a what-did-you-expect sort of look. “You did task me with getting him to come to you. Not an easy thing, when walking up to a man I’ve not been introduced to would be completely improper.” She shrugged. “Seemed simpler to use a third party in order to create an incentive for him to rescue you.”
“Perhaps you ought to take a break from those adventure novels you favor,” Sarah said. She forced herself not to mention how glad she was to no longer need Athena’s help since doing so would only hurt her feelings.
“They’re generally more interesting than real life. Although I must confess, I’m quite intrigued by what’s going on in yours right now.”
“Please don’t romanticize it.”
“Why not? If all goes well, you will mend his heart and make him fall head over heels in love with you. Is that not the plan?”
Sarah stared at her sister. “Only if he turns out to be the sort of man I can love in return.”
“I have an abundance of faith in you, Sister. Just think of him as an injured puppy. You’ve experience with those.”
Sarah groaned and went to find the man she might eventually choose to marry. Provided he ticked the right boxes on their wedding day. Which meant he would have to be kind to animals and humans alike. He would also have to be honest, patient, considerate, and get along well with her family. Additionally, she would insist on him telling her everything about his life so they could form a lasting partnership built on openness and trust.
It was what she’d witnessed between her own parents growing up, so she saw no reason to want something less. But she wasn’t delusional. When it came to Brunswick, she was certain a long road waited without any guarantee of happiness, love, or marriage at the end.
With this in mind, she entered the parlor where one very tall duke proceeded to stare down his nose at her while affecting the perfect look of arch superiority.
“Miss Townsbridge,” he said as he stuck out his hand, presenting her with a huge bouquet of pink roses. “These are for you.”
“Thank you. They’re lovely.”
“Hmm. I suppose they are, rather.”
The utterance was so offhanded it made him sound like the sort of person who’d never paid attention to flowers before. Maybe he hadn’t. In which case Sarah had more work ahead than she’d realized.
She gave him a swift once over, called for a maid to fetch a vase, and placed the bouquet on a nearby table to wait for said vase. At this point she ought to invite him to sit and have tea. Instead, she said, “Let’s take a walk.”
“A walk.” He glanced about as if at a loss.
“Yes. I happen to enjoy the activity. Plus, it will give us something to do while we talk.”
“Of course.” He seemed to consider her logic for a moment, then asked, “Will it take long?”
She really wasn’t sure how to respond to that besides saying, “You called on me, so I suppose it will take however long you intend it to.”
He made a sort of grunting sound, upon which she headed into the hallway, pausing only briefly in the parlor doorway to ask, “Are you coming or not?” before continuing toward the foyer. She allowed herself a small victorious smile when she heard the steady footfalls behind her.
MATTHEW’S EVERY INTENTION had been to make a better impression on Miss Townsbridge today. The flowers had been meant as a peace offering of sorts, but rather than give them the admiration he’d imagined she would, she’d set them aside with nary a glance. Although to be fair, she had said they were lovely.
Now, instead of sitting quietly with her in the parlor as he’d envisioned doing, he was trying to figure out why anyone would willingly choose to use their feet instead of a horse or carriage. In a way, it was his own damn fault for deciding to set his cap for a woman who took at least one long walk each day. He always saw her during his morning ride, at roughly this hour, marching through the park as if she were running late.
“I have a lovely curricle,” he said with a hint of longing.
“How lucky for you.” Her pace increased until he feared she might start jogging.