An Honorable Wish (A Lady's Wish 2) (4 page)

Tony couldn’t stop the pinch of jealousy at the affection in her voice. “Is he the son?”

“Penelope’s younger brother. He’s just sixteen.”

Tony played at brushing lint off his trousers. “He’s seen you in those breeches?”

Juliet glared at him. “Of course. He has me cleaning stalls to prepare for lambing.”

Tony could just imagine watching Juliet cleaning stalls in those old breeches when he was sixteen. “I suggest you dress appropriately next time.”

“You have no idea how much work there is to do.”

“If you would like some help, I’m happy to oblige.”

“Are you sure? It’s very hard work.”

“I shall overlook the insult that you think me too weak for hard labor but will tell you that Lady Danford has asked that I keep an eye on you.”

“They could really use the help.”

Her skin was almost translucent in the firelight. She really was lovely. In Town she was always with the other bookish young ladies gathered near the wall, waiting for a gentleman to notice and ask them to dance. He had not been able to help himself. He’d danced once with Juliet before making his way to the gaming tables.

“What time shall we leave in the morning?”

“Seven.”

“Good God, are you serious?” He was never up that early. Not even to travel.

“I wouldn’t want to disrupt your schedule, Tony. Perhaps it is just as well. All those years at the gaming tables might have weakened your muscles.”

He couldn’t stop himself from rising to the bait. “It’s a very dangerous game to threaten a man’s strength, Miss Matthews.”

“Then you’ll just have to prove yourself tomorrow at the Williamses farm.” Juliet stood, clutching her books, and dipped a curtsy. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“It will be worth it to see you in those breeches again.”

Juliet gave him an impudent grin. “Too bad I intend to wear a dress.”

Tony stared at the open door long after Juliet had exited. Finally he threw himself back into his chair and stared at the fire. Hard labor would do him good. Help him work off some of his guilt and keep him out of Nathaniel’s way. He needed to see what Bartleby was up to. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get to know some of the tenants before he decided what to do with the estate. There wasn’t much else he could do until Chelsworth was back in Beetham.

T
ony guided the horse cart down the lane. He was barely awake. Who got up so early in the morning?

Juliet had met him at the stables with a huge basket from the kitchens. He’d placed the basket behind them in the cart. She sat beside him, her hands folded demurely in her lap, quiet as a mouse.

Ordinarily, Juliet was
never
quiet.

The morning was beautiful. It had been a long time since Tony had seen a sunrise. He turned off the lane and followed the line of trees to a large stone house surrounded by several outbuildings. It was clear that at one time the Williams farm had been one of the larger ones in the area. Now he noticed the roof needed serious repair.

Tony jumped down from the cart and handed Juliet down before she could do it on her own. He’d play the gentleman whether she wanted it or not. When she went to pick up the basket, he brushed her hand away. “Allow me.”

“Thank you, Mr. Matthews,” she said and smiled softly.

They were so formal with each other this morning. He watched Juliet smile as a young lady approached them. The two ladies greeted each other and were joined by a gangly young man who couldn’t keep from staring at Juliet.

“Miss Juliet, would you introduce me to your friends?” asked Tony.

“Of course,” Juliet said. “Mr. Matthews, may I present Miss Williams and Mr. Aaron Williams. Mr. Matthews’s brother is married to my sister.”

Aaron Williams was lean and wiry, like most young men his age. He had a shock of red hair and fair, freckled skin. “Welcome to the farm, sir,” he said.

Miss Williams was a pretty girl with auburn hair and pale skin. She dipped a curtsy. “Welcome, sir.”

“We brought something for your larder,” Juliet said.

Tony passed the basket to Aaron, who took it into the house.

“Thank you, Juliet; that’s very kind,” Penelope Williams said softly. Her voice was melodious and sweet.

“So where do we start today?” Juliet said and smiled at her friend.

“Mr. Matthews could help Aaron in the fields today. Mother wants us to plant the kitchen garden,” answered Penelope.

Aaron was back in a flash, pulling on his gloves. “If you’re ready, sir, we can start out to the back pasture,” he said to Tony.

Tony nodded, distracted as Juliet and Penelope spoke softly together. He turned and found Aaron also watching the young ladies. “Let’s walk out to the back pasture and you can explain what we’ll be doing,” Tony said, breaking the spell.

Aaron hesitated and looked back at the house. “If you don’t mind, sir, my father would like a word with you first.”

“Certainly.” Tony followed Aaron into the stone house. Inside, it was dark but spotlessly clean. Aaron led them to a room with a window that faced the back pasture. An older man sat in a chair with a blanket over his legs.

“I’m Henry Williams,” he said, his deep voice booming from the gloom of the large sitting room.

Tony moved forward and shook the man’s hand. “Tony Matthews.”

“I know who you are,” Mr. Williams said.

Tony’s stomach twisted. “Pardon?”

“My son informed me that you’ve just returned from London. Do you by chance know of Mr. Chelsworth?”

“I’m not acquainted with the man.” The lie fell all too easily from Tony’s lips.

Mr. Williams’s face fell. “I was hoping . . .”

Aaron knelt beside his father. “Don’t worry, Father. We’ll make this work.”

“It’s no use, Son, but I appreciate your trying.”

Seeing Mr. Williams sitting in that chair, hopeless, tore at Tony’s heart. “I’ll speak with my brother. If we hear of anything, we will let you know.”

“Thank you, sir,” Mr. Williams said.

“Come, Mr. Matthews, we’d better get started.” Aaron grasped his hat in his hand as he led Tony back outside.

Suddenly, the boy looked older than his years, making Tony realize how much time he himself had wasted when he was sixteen. This young man was carrying his family’s problems on his shoulders. Tony had no concept of what it felt like to carry such burdens. Those always fell to his brother.

Shame edged in. He’d squandered so much time and money on gaming, without any thought to the future. Now, the future was uncertain. It wasn’t something he was used to dealing with, and Tony wasn’t sure he liked the feeling.

 

Juliet followed Penelope as she walked to the back of house, where the kitchen garden was located. She loved it here on the farm. Life was so much simpler, like it had been for her before Anne had married Nathaniel.

As much as Sophia hated those days, Juliet had loved them—the cottage, with its cozy hiding places, the smell of the apple cake Anne had learned to bake, long walks in the woods. These simple things had made her happy. Yet everyone else had wanted more.

Her first Season in London had been a disaster. Town was so noisy that Juliet hadn’t been able to sleep. The rigorous schedule of calls, teas, and shopping filled the days. There wasn’t time for reading. It took hours just to dress for a ball.

But there were things she had loved about Town. The smell of the books in the bookshops, the tart-sweet taste of ices from Gunter’s on her tongue, the feel of Tony’s arms as he waltzed her around a brilliantly lit ballroom.

“Mr. Matthews is very handsome,” Penelope said softly. “Is he your beau?”

Juliet laughed. “No! Why do you ask?”

“He watches you.”

“You must be mistaken, Pen.”

But she knew that Tony
was
constantly studying her, even if she wouldn’t admit it aloud. She’d noticed last night in the drawing room, then again in the library. Juliet looked up and found Penelope with that knowing look in her eye.

“Would it be so very bad?” Penelope asked.

Juliet shook her head to clear her thoughts. This was madness. And if she let herself go down that path again, she was only setting herself up for more hurt. “Perhaps we should start in the garden?” she said, changing the subject. “Or is there something else I can help with?”

Penelope looked uncomfortable. “The truth is, Miss Townsend, Mother found out what Aaron had you doing yesterday. Mucking the stalls for lambing.”

Juliet closed her hands over the blisters that had formed. “It needed to be done.”

“You’re a proper young lady and shouldn’t be doing that sort of work. Mother is right in that.”

“I don’t mind the work.” In fact, she’d relished it. The Williams family were struggling, but they were bonded together in a way she’d never experienced. “Lead the way and we’ll get started.”

“Please don’t be angry,” Penelope begged.

“I’m not,” Juliet said and gave her a reassuring smile.

It was all just another reminder that everyone considered her interest in Penelope and her family inappropriate. Juliet understood well how the world worked. In Town, the Townsends were lower on the social pecking order than many other young ladies. You didn’t stray from the sphere in which you were born. But in Beetham, they were the highest-ranking family.

The sun grew warm as they worked in the loose soil, planting rows of cabbages, carrots, and other vegetables. Penelope had given Juliet a pair of old work gloves that were way too big for her and she finally ended up pulling them off. They chatted about novels and planted without really noticing that the sun was high in the sky.

The air had warmed, but the cool soil felt good between Juliet’s fingers. She’d had no idea she’d like gardening, but now the miracle of taking a seed and watching it grow into something useful enthralled her.

Her mind spun through the journals she’d read on agriculture and increasing production. “I read in one of Nathaniel’s journals that if you put just a bit of manure into the soil, it will help the seeds grow stronger.”

Penelope laughed. “What do you think you’ve been digging in?”

Juliet quickly yanked her hands from the dirt. “Really?”

“Nothing goes to waste on the farm,” Penelope said as she tossed a clean rag to Juliet to wipe her hands with. “I think we’re done.”

Juliet stood, dusting the dirt from her old dress. Neat rows of newly planted seeds lay before her. Small placards marked each row. “Thank you for allowing me to help. I enjoyed it. I may have to try gardening at the Lodge.”

“I’m certain Mr. Matthews wouldn’t allow his sister-in-law to get her hands dirty in the kitchen garden, Miss Juliet,” a male voice said from the edge of the yard.

Juliet’s heart lurched and Penelope went pale.

“Mr. Bartleby, good afternoon. I didn’t know you were expected today,” Juliet said stiffly.

“This is part of Horneswood, Miss Juliet. If you will excuse us, Miss Williams?”

“Are you sure, Miss Juliet?”

“Pen, it’s quite all right.”

Juliet watched as Penelope walked toward the house, giving Mr. Bartleby a wide berth. She hated seeing the fear in Penelope’s eyes.

“You should remember your place, Miss Juliet,” Bartleby said as he moved closer.

Juliet had done nothing wrong and she refused to let Bartleby take her joy from the day. “It’s our Christian duty to help those less fortunate, Mr. Bartleby.”

“While I admire your charity, I’m quite certain your brother, Sir John, would disapprove of Miss Williams as a friend for you.”

Juliet could think of nothing to say in response. Her brother would not approve, but her sister Anne might.

Simon Bartleby moved even closer and took her hand. He rubbed the dirt from her fingers with a gentle caress.

His touch revolted her. She snatched her hand free and stepped away from him. “You forget yourself, Mr. Bartleby.”

“We are practically engaged, Miss Townsend. Your brother-in-law has given me leave to call on you.”

Juliet’s stomach roiled. She was definitely going to have to deal with Nathaniel. “I know what you said to Miss Williams.”

Mr. Bartleby laughed. “And you believe what she told you?”

“Of course I believe her.” Juliet raised her chin defiantly.

“You think me capable of ruining a farmer’s daughter?”

“I think you capable of a great many things, Mr. Bartleby.”

He raised his hand as if he were going to slap her, his face florid. Juliet had always suspected Mr. Bartleby was the type of man who struck out in anger. She braced herself for the blow, knowing she’d pushed him too far. In the beginning she’d hoped her disdain would discourage his attentions. Now she actually feared him. She knew this man would hurt her.

Simon Bartleby lowered his hand and smiled that slick, oily smile of his. “Such spirit, my dear. You don’t know how I’m looking forward to breaking you in.”

Juliet gasped and stepped back, almost tripping over a rake on the ground. There was no way she’d marry this man. Nathaniel could crow all he wanted, lecture her for hours every single night. It would make no difference.

Bartleby reached out and grabbed Juliet’s wrist. She tried to wrench free, but he wouldn’t relent.

“Release me.” She yanked hard on her arm, wincing at the pain. Fear curled inside her. They were very much alone. The only people within shouting distance were Mrs. Williams and Penelope, and even then it was doubtful they would hear her.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Juliet sagged with relief as Tony strolled into the garden. Bartleby released her and took a step back. She rubbed at the red marks on her wrist.

“Mr. Matthews, I had no idea you were here,” said Bartleby.

“Obviously,” Tony replied curtly.

Bartleby glared at both Tony and Juliet. “My business is done here. Good day, Miss Juliet. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”

 

Tony watched as Simon Bartleby walked past him wearing a smug expression. He clinched his fists to hold back the urge to smash them into the bastard’s face.

Juliet was pale. Shaken. She was still rubbing her wrist to ease the pain.

Tony’s protective instincts were always strong around the Townsend sisters, but today was different. Juliet was different. In the years he’d known her, he’d never seen her this frightened. “Did he harm you?” he asked, reaching for her wrist.

“No.”

Juliet’s skin was smooth, almost translucent, with the red marks of the man’s fingers imprinted on it. Tony fought back his anger. “What did he want?”

Juliet gently pulled her arm from his grasp. “To frighten me.”

“Did he?” Tony already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear her say it aloud. Juliet was fearless. He’d seen her stare down more intimidating men than Bartleby.

“Yes.”

“I’ll speak to Nathaniel.”

“No, please don’t. Mr. Bartleby will only go so far.”

Tony suddenly realized he was missing a huge piece of the puzzle. “Should you risk it, Juliet? Is he worth it?”

“The man is a toad, but he won’t hurt me. I think he’s stealing from the tenants.”

“That’s a very serious allegation.”

“I don’t have proof yet, but I will.”

“I forbid you to pursue this, Juliet. And if Nathaniel wants a dynastic marriage for this family, he’d have better luck with Sophia.”

“Sophia wouldn’t have Bartleby,” Juliet said in a tone that brooked no further discussion of the matter.

“If you’ve recovered, we should be on our way.”

Juliet nodded and moved toward the house. As she passed, Tony caught a bit of her scent. She smelled of flowers, earth, and woman. There was a smudge of dirt on her cheek and he couldn’t stop himself from taking his thumb and removing it. Her skin was soft, so soft. He savored the warmth of her cheek.

Juliet’s lips parted in surprise. Tony could feel minute tremors running under her skin where he touched her. Her eyes were wide and as dark as midnight.

“I’ve readied the cart for you, Mr. Matthews.”

Juliet jerked away as Aaron Williams spoke. A flush of pink colored her cheeks.