Page 87 of Snapdragons
The women handed little Philip out of the carriage and into Lucas’s waiting arms. Then they handed tiny baby Layton to Kes, who stood nearby as well. Lastly, Julia, Violet, and Nicolette emerged, their respective husbands greeting each of them.
“Part of enjoying yourself today, Puppy,” Aldric said from directly beside him, “is allowing yourself the pleasure of Penelope’s company. You’ve denied yourself that joy for several days now, and I don’t think it has done either of you any good.”
“Would it not be cruel to let our hopes soar today, knowing they’ll fall to the ground tomorrow?”
“Win tomorrow and the purse would be enough for you to possibly aim for land near Fairfield,” Aldric said.
“I can’t beat the Bath Butcher.” Niles knew that well enough. “I mean to make every effort to best him, but I am far too realistic toexpectit to happen.”
“I never thought my father would allow me the use of any of his estates, but he did. Miracles happen every day, Niles.”
Penelope stepped from the carriage at that exact moment. She was, as always, breathtakingly beautiful. And her eyes, as was also usual to her, took in the entirety of her surroundings in a single, excited sweep. Heavens, but she would be delightful to pass through life with, eager to try and see new things but not needing him to be a person of renown or importance; she would be content and pleased with precisely who he was.
He crossed to the carriage and offered her his hand. She hesitated for just a moment before a broad smile lit her face.
“I didn’t recognize you at first,” she said, “and couldn’t see your face very well.”
“That was the hope.” Niles helped her to the ground, then offered his arm. He lowered his voice. “It is rather important that tomorrow I not be easily recognized as the same gentlemanwho is wandering about today.”
“That is wise,” she answered equally quietly.
“I feel a little ridiculous,” he said.
She squeezed his arm. “You needn’t. ’Tisn’t your usual appearance you’re sporting today, but you’re still quite handsome.”
Lucas passed them, bouncing Philip in his arms.
Julia was directly behind, holding the baby. “We’re off to see Punch and Judy,” she explained.
“What would you like to see?” Niles asked Penelope.
“Are we to spend some time together?”
“All day, if you’re willing.”
She turned the tiniest bit toward him as they walked in the direction of the fair booths. “I have missed you so much these past days. I know that you’ve needed to prepare for tomorrow, but everyone is leaving in only a couple of days’ time, and I’ll need to leave when Kes and Violet do. I’ve worried I’d not have time with you before we are forced to part.”
“I wish I had funds enough for purchasing an estate near Fairfield,” he said. “Or alternately, had dreamed these years of an equine career rather than a political one.”
She shook her head. “Our dreams aren’t identical, but, Niles, they are so very well matched to the both of us. You understand and enjoy horses, which makes my dreams suited to your participation. And I enjoy learning things and hearing people’s thoughts and points of view, which makes your dreams suited to my participation. We could be so very perfect together.”
“Then, let’s not abandon hope,” he said. “It might take me years to have money enough for an estate near yours, but I am willing to keep saving and keep earning where I can.”
“More fights?” she asked quietly.
“Those are getting riskier,” he admitted. “Not merely because I don’t dare get caught, but I’m also growing more out of practice,and that will eventually catch up to me.”
They’d reached the heart of the fair and its rows and rows of stalls. He bent his head closer to hers so she would be able to hear him over the din of voices.
“I’ll find something to supplement my income, and I’ll not stop doing all I can until I have enough.”
“As will I,” she said. “Once I am able to hire the stable staff I need, I can begin with the horses I have. In time, there will be profit that I can save. Between the two of us, we’ll have enough before we know it.”
The questionable wisdom of the day would have dictated that Niles object to the idea of his would-be wife bearing any of the financial burden of allowing them to be together. But far from bruising his pride, her sincere and earnest offer buoyed him. He wasn’t alone in this struggle. And he wasn’t fighting for something that mattered only to him.
There was such strength in that knowledge.
“Fairings for you?” a woman at the stall they’d only just reached called out to them.
