A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(8)
“Truly, Jenny, I did feel a little bad teasing Charles when he was so determined to be an upstanding man of business, but it is the right thing to do, and he agreed it in the end. And I very nobly did not remind him that, in point of fact, there is nothing he or John can do to stop Mama paying a visit to an old friend and taking me with her.”
Jenny Prettyman chuckled. “Most restrained of you. Even so, it is as well it was not Mr Tweedie who came to settle your affairs.”
“No indeed. Mama may say Mr Tweedie is a dear sweet man, but I own my heart did leap when I saw Charles descend from the gig, even though then I only had in mind to tax him about Mama’s money. I have never not known him amenable and... and amiable, even as a boy. Heaven knows he has always come to the rescue when Julia and I found ourselves in a scrape.”
“He is a good man. Adam likes him very much. It cannot have been easy for him to put aside his friends and a life of gentlemanly leisure and work for a living.”
Verity felt a tiny pinprick of shock at this point of view. Charles was Charles. When the news had been disseminated that he was to follow the law, she had not thought it in any way strange. It had seemed natural that he would want a profession. “I suppose it could not have been. I had not thought of it before. Woman of our class are expected to be biddable and decorative until we marry. If I pull against that, why should not Charles? He is certainly not the type to live without purpose.” Biddable and decorative. The two most insipid words in the lexicon. Another thought formulated in her mind. “Do you like being married, Jenny?”
Her friend laughed. “Very much. Why do you ask?”
“Because Mama did not, I think. So I was determined never to marry, but you seem quite content. Of course, you have Rooke Hall to manage, and Adam’s children and your cousin to look after...”
“And our own babe too when spring comes, but that has little to do with the married state. I was never in love before, so I have nothing to compare this with, but my heart lifts when I think of Adam. He is the companion of my life, no matter what other responsibilities we have. My own parents were the same, all in all to each other. Forgive me, but I do not think your mother had a similar affinity with Mr Bowman.”
“No indeed. They were very unalike. It depends on the gentleman, then?”
“The gentleman, what you feel for him, what he feels for you. You will know when it is right.”
Verity considered this, her head on one side. She nodded. “I shall remember. Thank you, Jenny. But as my inclination is not to marry if I have enough to live on without doing so, and I go to London solely to search for Kitty, it hardly matters. We are still in mourning for Uncle James, so won’t be moving in society.” She wrinkled her nose. “Though Julia I suppose may have other ideas.”
“Is it your intention to keep Charles with you until you go? Will you both dine here tomorrow and bring your mother? Caroline and Alexander Rothwell are in Newmarket for the whole of October because of the racing. They may be at leisure and able to join us.”
Verity beamed. “You are the best of friends. I accept with pleasure. Two days will be perfect as far as our packing is concerned. Anticipating Charles’s agreement, I set it in train last night and dispatched a letter from Mama and me to Godmama. He has no option, really, but to escort us. However, your invitation will sweeten the pill and help him justify to himself the delay in returning to his chambers. I believe he knows the Rothwells socially, does he not? He and Alexander and Adam can all talk politics together which will amuse them very well. In truth, Charles could do with a rest from his work. He seems tired, but that may be the result of having his nice tidy plans thwarted. Oh, and I have had another idea. We can ride over to Furze House after we have been to church, so I can show him I am in earnest about removing there. The gardener and his wife are still in their cottage and have a set of keys. I am sure when Charles has seen the rooms and the pleasant prospect, he will agree it is far superior to the dower house, even if it is a trifle shabby.”
“And once you are in London? How will you ensure his cooperation in your quest to search for your sister? He has concerns of his own to deal with. He cannot neglect his other clients.”
“I wouldn’t ask him to. If he will but set me on the right route to finding Kitty, there will be no need for me to disturb him. I have frequently stayed with Julia and her parents before. London is not wholly strange to me.”
Jenny made a wry face. “It will become more familiar the longer you spend there. From my dealings with Mr Tweedie over the years, much as I esteem the dear man, I cannot say his chambers are very swift to deal with matters, even those he considers urgent. Although, being scrupulously fair, events do happen rather faster now Adam has got into the habit of catching the stage to visit Charles every few weeks.”
“Is that so? Well then, I shall take steps to ensure that Charles discovers in himself a compelling need to speed my search.”
“I tell you, Adam, if we hadn’t been travelling in her own carriage I’d have dumped the minx in the lane and come on here alone. As it is, it wouldn’t surprise me to find all the trunks corded and ready on our return.”
Adam Prettyman laughed and drew them each another tankard. They were in his land office where he found the presence of a barrel of ale made a considerable difference when discussing estate matters with his foreman or the tenant farmers. “Verity is a determined young woman, but she strikes me as having a good heart.”