Page 24 of Married to the Rake

Chapter Nine

She really ought to cease the pacing. If her father saw her like this, he would figure out something was wrong. Chloe’s father was no simple man and, unfortunately, he knew his daughter too well. There really was no need for all the pacing, after all. She and Brook had a plan. What was the worst that could happen?

She grimaced to herself. The two men could get in a fight, she admitted to herself. What sort of fight either of them could put up, she did not know, but she suspected out of stubbornness both men would do an injury to themselves.

But her father was a reasonable man, really he was. It was only about the border matter did he ever get so angry. He clearly believed he was very much in the right but neither she nor Brook could figure out whose story was correct. Her own mother refused to talk about it, waving a hand and telling her she was tired of the matter. It was hardly something she could press the local farmers about, either. It was certainly not the done thing to discuss any family matters with them.

Though, there were a few tenant farmers who had been on the land the nearly forty years. They would be the people who would know something.

She nibbled on the end of her thumb and glanced out of the drawing room window. The weather was fine and bright, a few clouds dotted the sky, but no wind touched the trees today, unlike yesterday. They had, it seemed, chosen the perfect day to trick their fathers into meeting.

Oh Lord, there went those nerves again. That strange, swirling uncomfortable sensation rioted around her stomach and made her feel hot and prickly. She took a moment to draw in a long breath and exhale it slowly. Alas, the sensations did not subside, and a small voice in the back of her mind jabbed at her. It was not just the idea of their fathers meeting that did this to her.

No, it was seeing Brook again.

Oh yes, he had become Brook in her mind. Whether she was Chloe to him yet, she did not know, but she could not wait to find out.

He had managed to meet once on the border in the last week so they could finalize their plans. Of course, she had found herself down by the fence nearly every day, waiting for one of his letters. It was an easy enough scenario to plan, both fathers liked the outdoors and with Brook’s father on the road to recovery, it made sense for him to take some fresh air. However, their letters had turned swiftly away from planning this event to something else. Something she had never done before.

If she wrote to her friends, her letters were friendly and informative. If she wrote to relatives, she would tell them the news and stick to formalities. But the letters with Brook… Well, they were different. Whenever she put quill to paper to write to him, she found herself divulging all manner of matters. And he would of course tease her in the letter in return and she would be forced to scold him most readily.

Without even realizing it, a smile spread across her face. For some ridiculous reason, she rather liked his teasing. She suspected he rather liked her scolding too.

Shaking her head to herself, she moved into the main hallway and cocked her head to listen for her father’s footsteps. They came slowly, followed by the light tap of the cane. Her father’s knee was bothering him with the ever-changing weather, and she was not at all sure she should still be insisting on this walk, but her father refused to admit that he was in too much pain to do such a thing. The man would likely drag himself there out of spite if she insisted on remaining home.

She watched him come downstairs, his features a careful mask but she could see the slight wince behind his eyes with each step. Blast, perhaps she should have cancelled. There had to be some other way to get their fathers to meet, surely?

“Are you certain you want to go out today?” she asked. “It looks like it might…rain.”

“Rain?” her father scoffed. “There is nary a cloud in the sky, girl.”

“I know, Papa, but…” She could not bring herself to tell him he was too frail to do a mere walk.

He waved a hand. “You asked me if I would like to accompany you on a walk, and goodness knows, you do not spend enough time out of doors. It would be remiss of me indeed to cancel on you.” He smiled warmly. “Of course, it is rare for a father to get time alone with his daughter when she is an adult. I will confess to looking forward to it.”

Oh, Chloe did not know whether to feel guilty or warmed by the sentiment. What he was picturing as a pleasant afternoon out, was going to turn something very much the opposite. However, his kind words reminded her of the man behind all the frustration about the border matter. He might command her never to see Brook and get angry and demand that she go check on the border far too often but he was still her father, and he loved her very much. She loved him equally as much and that is why this feud had to end. He could not live out his last days so infuriated by such a matter.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” her father asked.

Giving herself a mental shake, Chloe looped her arm through her father’s offered one. They moved at a slow pace, following the path away from the house until it reached the riverside. Water flowed swiftly, clear enough for her to see minnows and sparkling rocks beneath. They took a left and followed the natural path leading through the trees and along the riverside. Though wide, it was a shallow river and she had spent many a day as a child dipping her feet in it or sitting on the riverbank and reading a book. Those had been the times before she’d been aware there was even an argument between the two families. Perhaps if she was careful, she could probe her father on the matter.

“Papa,” she began.

His face contorted and he inhaled sharply. As she turned to him, he tried to hide his pained expression, but she caught it just in time.

Unlooping her arm from his, she tilted her head and eyed him. “Papa…”

He sighed. “Perhaps I had better rest for a moment.” He pointed to a tree with his cane. “That looks like an excellent sitting spot.”

She bit on her lip while her father settled himself down against the tree. She would need to get word to Brook that they could not come or that he and his father needed to travel further. That would bring them onto Larkin land, however, which could certainly be dangerous indeed. Even in her father’s state. Oh dear, what to do?

“Do not be downhearted, Daughter. Why do you not go on without me? I know how much you enjoy your walks by the river. You can come back for me and we shall walk the rest of the way home.”

“But, Papa...”

He shook his cane at her. “Go on, I insist. I shall enjoy the fresh air and the peace for a while.” He yawned. “This looks like the perfect spot for a little nap.”

Chloe grimaced. There was no persuading him but his knee was painful, she did not wish to. Nor did she wish to leave Brook waiting for her so she had better make haste. Giving her father a quick peck on the cheek, she continued along the path until it started to open into a clearing.

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