Read Online The Seduction of Emily by Rachel Brimble - Free Book Online
Authors: Rachel Brimble
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enough time had passed since the ball. He would “drop by” Royal Crescent. . . .
Chapter Five
W ill raised his hat to the stone lions that stood like sentries atop the nine-feet-high pavilions at the entrance to Victoria Park. On the short walk there, his mood lifted from subdued anger and frustration to one of buoyant optimism. He would continue working on his relationship with Miss Darson until the solution to his problem became clear. Which it would. The answers always came . . . if you bided your time.
Will pulled his coat together tighter and marched ever closer to the perfect place from which to observe Royal Crescent. All he wanted was to ascertain which house among the renowned semicircle of Georgian residences belonged to the Darsons. Surveillance of a target was an invaluable part of a successful outcome—well-timed execution. He needed to be vigilant not to be seen too soon or too often.
“Good evening, young man. Everything all right?”
Will jumped at the sound of a booming male voice to the side of him. Straightening, he touched the brim of his hat. “Absolutely, sir. Just taking in the beauty of Bath at twilight.”
“Indeed. Indeed. The houses never fail to impress, do they not?” The man nodded toward the Crescent.
“They’re magnificent.”
The conversation lapsed as Will followed the man’s gaze across the park toward Royal Crescent. Will wondered if when the architect, John Wood the Younger, designed it he had any idea it would be considered one of Bath’s architectural masterpieces. Despite the semicircle of houses being finished over a hundred years before, people still held it in high regard and Emily living there spoke volumes as to the worth of her father’s tobacco company.
Will scowled. She deserved her half. A woman like that should be surrounded by beauty. The creamy-yellow stone of Royal Crescent glowed like butter beneath the setting sun. It was a sight to behold.
He cast a surreptitious glance to the man at his side.
He looked to be in his mid-forties and most likely of similar age to Emily’s father. He cleared his throat. “I understand Darson of Darson/Milne tobacco lives there. I was lucky enough to meet him and his daughter at the Assembly Rooms last week. I believe they have a house on the Crescent. Do you know the Darsons? Lovely people.”
He laughed. “Everyone knows Oliver Darson, sir. A great man. Such a shame illness has struck him so harshly.”
“Yes, he struggled somewhat at the ball. Is there nothing to be done?”
The man stared at the houses, moving back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Alas, I believe his lungs are the problem and they say it is only a matter of time. I often see the physician entering the property.”
Will followed his gaze as his heart beat faster. “Yes, yes, they live at number 22 I think Miss Darson told me.”
“No, no, number 24, sir.”
Will bit back a smile. “Ah.”
“Anyway, I must be off. I only came out to stretch my legs. My wife will be wondering where on earth I am. Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand.
Will took it in his. “You too, sir. You too.”
The gentleman walked away and Will’s grin broke free. Number 24. With his hands clasped behind his back, Will walked on with an air of nonchalance. He came to an opening in the trees that served as the perfect vantage point to view that particular house.
He stared as the smell of flowering lavender and freshly cut grass whispered through the air on a soft breeze. As soon as Milne understood Emily was Will’s for the taking, he would find something else with which to torment the bastard. Some way or other he would take her from him without Emily losing her inheritance. He frowned. There had to be a way. The sooner Milne understood Will intended to pursue him like a cat after a rat, the better.
His mother’s voice came into Will’s head, reminding him if he let Milne take over his life, his adversary had won. He heard her begging him to
Chapter Five
W ill raised his hat to the stone lions that stood like sentries atop the nine-feet-high pavilions at the entrance to Victoria Park. On the short walk there, his mood lifted from subdued anger and frustration to one of buoyant optimism. He would continue working on his relationship with Miss Darson until the solution to his problem became clear. Which it would. The answers always came . . . if you bided your time.
Will pulled his coat together tighter and marched ever closer to the perfect place from which to observe Royal Crescent. All he wanted was to ascertain which house among the renowned semicircle of Georgian residences belonged to the Darsons. Surveillance of a target was an invaluable part of a successful outcome—well-timed execution. He needed to be vigilant not to be seen too soon or too often.
“Good evening, young man. Everything all right?”
Will jumped at the sound of a booming male voice to the side of him. Straightening, he touched the brim of his hat. “Absolutely, sir. Just taking in the beauty of Bath at twilight.”
“Indeed. Indeed. The houses never fail to impress, do they not?” The man nodded toward the Crescent.
“They’re magnificent.”
The conversation lapsed as Will followed the man’s gaze across the park toward Royal Crescent. Will wondered if when the architect, John Wood the Younger, designed it he had any idea it would be considered one of Bath’s architectural masterpieces. Despite the semicircle of houses being finished over a hundred years before, people still held it in high regard and Emily living there spoke volumes as to the worth of her father’s tobacco company.
Will scowled. She deserved her half. A woman like that should be surrounded by beauty. The creamy-yellow stone of Royal Crescent glowed like butter beneath the setting sun. It was a sight to behold.
He cast a surreptitious glance to the man at his side.
He looked to be in his mid-forties and most likely of similar age to Emily’s father. He cleared his throat. “I understand Darson of Darson/Milne tobacco lives there. I was lucky enough to meet him and his daughter at the Assembly Rooms last week. I believe they have a house on the Crescent. Do you know the Darsons? Lovely people.”
He laughed. “Everyone knows Oliver Darson, sir. A great man. Such a shame illness has struck him so harshly.”
“Yes, he struggled somewhat at the ball. Is there nothing to be done?”
The man stared at the houses, moving back and forth on the balls of his feet. “Alas, I believe his lungs are the problem and they say it is only a matter of time. I often see the physician entering the property.”
Will followed his gaze as his heart beat faster. “Yes, yes, they live at number 22 I think Miss Darson told me.”
“No, no, number 24, sir.”
Will bit back a smile. “Ah.”
“Anyway, I must be off. I only came out to stretch my legs. My wife will be wondering where on earth I am. Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand.
Will took it in his. “You too, sir. You too.”
The gentleman walked away and Will’s grin broke free. Number 24. With his hands clasped behind his back, Will walked on with an air of nonchalance. He came to an opening in the trees that served as the perfect vantage point to view that particular house.
He stared as the smell of flowering lavender and freshly cut grass whispered through the air on a soft breeze. As soon as Milne understood Emily was Will’s for the taking, he would find something else with which to torment the bastard. Some way or other he would take her from him without Emily losing her inheritance. He frowned. There had to be a way. The sooner Milne understood Will intended to pursue him like a cat after a rat, the better.
His mother’s voice came into Will’s head, reminding him if he let Milne take over his life, his adversary had won. He heard her begging him to
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