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Authors: Kathy Carmichael
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Hartingfield, in a request that I will make."
Hart noted the formality of Steyne's speech and studied the man for a clue to his behavior. He had never before noticed just what a booming voice the man had. Could he be regretting his earlier dismissal of his request for Lady Althea's hand? "I will do my best to assist you, sir."
"Thea's abigail has come down with the measles. Miss Mimms reminds me that my daughter has never contracted this ailment." Steyne was aware that he was exaggerating it a bit, but no one knew for certain whether she had ever contracted the disease.
Hart groaned inwardly. Blast it, he knew what would be coming next.
Steyne fidgeted in his chair. "I would be most grateful if you would escort my daughter to her aunt's in London. My original plan was for this to take place in a fortnight though I've been dreading it. I have a great dislike of travel. Miss Rawlings and her nurse were to accompany us since Miss Mimms is scheduled to visit our cousin, Constance. I know it's a great imposition, but I would very much appreciate your assistance in escorting them in my stead."
Though he wanted to court Thea, Hart would have chosen a better time to do it. However, there was only one response he could make. "I would be honored to serve you in this way."
Hart's chagrin at the request was preempted by the large smile that now covered the earl's face.
"We still have other, unfinished, business, sir," Hart said. Failing to discuss this subject would be unacceptable to his own demanding father.
"The seed drill?"
"No, Mack can remain with you to finish the installation. I wished to remind you of the land the duke mentioned in his letter. It adjoins our Haversham estate. He may have used it as an excuse to send me to you but he truly hoped to acquire the property."
The earl took a moment to think. "Shall we consider it a part of Thea's dowry?"
Hart couldn't suppress a self-satisfied smirk. He suspected what was to follow: an acceptance of his offer for Thea. As if his thoughts conjured her up, she burst into the room. She looked most becomingly furious.
"Papa!" Injured rage caused her voice to crack. "I came to ask about your decision to remove me to London. But, did I hear you properly? You are discussing my portion with Lord Hartingfield?"
She turned to face Hart. "Excuse me, my lord. I would speak with my father privately," she said dismissively.
"Althea!" The earl's voice reverberated.
"That is all right, Steyne," he soothed. "I believe we understand each other. I must see to my carriage." He nodded to each before leaving the room, causing his head to ache in earnest.
"Papa!" Thea was nearly hopping with anger. "What does this mean? Last evening you promised I should not be forced to wed against my will!"
"Perhaps that promise should be retracted in light of your hoydenish, nay, vixenish behavior, Thea. How could you be so discourteous to a guest in our home?"
"Please forgive me, Papa, but I must have an answer. Have you promised my hand to Lord Hartingfield?"
"With your conduct, you will be fortunate indeed if anyone were to offer for you, my girl, much less someone so well set up as Lord Hartingfield." The earl ran a frustrated palm over his forehead. "Do you think you can attach a gentleman with such ungovernable demeanor?"
"Do you imply that he failed to offer for me?" Her voice was hallow with trepidation. Had she made a fool of herself once again?
"I am implying nothing, Thea. I've sent a message to Emma Rawlings and her nurse to be ready to accompany you to London at noon today. You'll want to make ready as well. Lord Hartingfield graciously offered his escort, and I sincerely pity the man."
Chapter Six
"I'm afraid you'll have to travel ahead with Mack and the luggage, Hobbs." Hart heard the thumps of frenzied employment seeping through the thick walls of the stately home. His bedchamber now looked barren, as if the removal of his possessions had stripped it of its essence. Hobbs stood by
Hart noted the formality of Steyne's speech and studied the man for a clue to his behavior. He had never before noticed just what a booming voice the man had. Could he be regretting his earlier dismissal of his request for Lady Althea's hand? "I will do my best to assist you, sir."
"Thea's abigail has come down with the measles. Miss Mimms reminds me that my daughter has never contracted this ailment." Steyne was aware that he was exaggerating it a bit, but no one knew for certain whether she had ever contracted the disease.
Hart groaned inwardly. Blast it, he knew what would be coming next.
Steyne fidgeted in his chair. "I would be most grateful if you would escort my daughter to her aunt's in London. My original plan was for this to take place in a fortnight though I've been dreading it. I have a great dislike of travel. Miss Rawlings and her nurse were to accompany us since Miss Mimms is scheduled to visit our cousin, Constance. I know it's a great imposition, but I would very much appreciate your assistance in escorting them in my stead."
Though he wanted to court Thea, Hart would have chosen a better time to do it. However, there was only one response he could make. "I would be honored to serve you in this way."
Hart's chagrin at the request was preempted by the large smile that now covered the earl's face.
"We still have other, unfinished, business, sir," Hart said. Failing to discuss this subject would be unacceptable to his own demanding father.
"The seed drill?"
"No, Mack can remain with you to finish the installation. I wished to remind you of the land the duke mentioned in his letter. It adjoins our Haversham estate. He may have used it as an excuse to send me to you but he truly hoped to acquire the property."
The earl took a moment to think. "Shall we consider it a part of Thea's dowry?"
Hart couldn't suppress a self-satisfied smirk. He suspected what was to follow: an acceptance of his offer for Thea. As if his thoughts conjured her up, she burst into the room. She looked most becomingly furious.
"Papa!" Injured rage caused her voice to crack. "I came to ask about your decision to remove me to London. But, did I hear you properly? You are discussing my portion with Lord Hartingfield?"
She turned to face Hart. "Excuse me, my lord. I would speak with my father privately," she said dismissively.
"Althea!" The earl's voice reverberated.
"That is all right, Steyne," he soothed. "I believe we understand each other. I must see to my carriage." He nodded to each before leaving the room, causing his head to ache in earnest.
"Papa!" Thea was nearly hopping with anger. "What does this mean? Last evening you promised I should not be forced to wed against my will!"
"Perhaps that promise should be retracted in light of your hoydenish, nay, vixenish behavior, Thea. How could you be so discourteous to a guest in our home?"
"Please forgive me, Papa, but I must have an answer. Have you promised my hand to Lord Hartingfield?"
"With your conduct, you will be fortunate indeed if anyone were to offer for you, my girl, much less someone so well set up as Lord Hartingfield." The earl ran a frustrated palm over his forehead. "Do you think you can attach a gentleman with such ungovernable demeanor?"
"Do you imply that he failed to offer for me?" Her voice was hallow with trepidation. Had she made a fool of herself once again?
"I am implying nothing, Thea. I've sent a message to Emma Rawlings and her nurse to be ready to accompany you to London at noon today. You'll want to make ready as well. Lord Hartingfield graciously offered his escort, and I sincerely pity the man."
Chapter Six
"I'm afraid you'll have to travel ahead with Mack and the luggage, Hobbs." Hart heard the thumps of frenzied employment seeping through the thick walls of the stately home. His bedchamber now looked barren, as if the removal of his possessions had stripped it of its essence. Hobbs stood by
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