Page 82 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
“Minx,” he muttered, while leaving the room.
Aunt Barbara and Martha were talking quietly over cups of tea. Daniel pulled out a chair for her and then took his place at the head.
“I hope we haven't taken too much time,” Daniel said.
“Not at all,” Aunt Barbara said before dabbing her mouth with a napkin. “T'was all delicious.”
Drumming his fingertips on the arm of his chair, Daniel said, “Harriet was suggesting that we travel. I might just arrange it for after our honeymoon.”
“I assure you, you won't regret it,” Aunt Barbara said.
“Before I forget, my Husband is throwing a celebration for the two of you tomorrow. He's hosting it at one of our local assembly rooms in Canterbury.”
Harriet startled, “Tomorrow? Why didn't you say something sooner?”
Martha pinked, “Because he thought of it this morning. I know it's late notice, Harriet, but you have nothing to worry about. Thank you again, Lord Barkley, but I think it's time for us to proceed with our plans. I'd like to speak with the overseer for Almack’s about the decorations.”
“I'll fetch my coat,” Daniel said.
* * *
Later on, when Harriet and her family had gone off to Canterbury, Daniel summoned the constables. The men promised to monitor the post and investigate anyone who might have a grudge against him.
“Bear in mind that I want this investigation to be done with extreme discretion. Miss Bradford received a threat at her home, and I have few enemies. Please don't do something that will set this jackanape to attack either of us.”
“Understood, My Lord,” one of them said. “We've gotten all we need for now, and I think we'll be on our way.”
“Thank you, Gentlemen,” Daniel stood and walked with them to the door. “Please contact me when you find a viable lead.”
After they left, Daniel went to speak with his valet about his wedding suit, then went for his dinner. When he was finished, he sipped the wine and reflected on the day. He thought that Harriet would have mentioned his mother sometime during the day, but she hadn't.
Resting his glass, Daniel decided to do something he had refused to do in years. In his attic, there was a trunk with his late father's things, and inside it a painting of his mother. He'd locked it away because the hurt and bitterness he'd felt for her had made him want to put her out of his life.
Now though, as he'd already started the journey to make peace with her, perhaps it was time to take another step. He could have sent a servant for it, but he went himself. The attic wasn't coated in much dust, but his father's truck was covered in cobwebs.
Crouching, Daniel brushed them away, and read the inlay,Nathaniel H. Barkley.Freeing the latches, he reached in and took the painting out, resting the burnished frame on the top of the truck.
His mother, in a lovely pale-green dress, was delicately reclining on a chaise, with a blanket over her knees and a book resting on her lap.
He took the painting down with him and into the brighter light. In his study, Daniel could see the light brown of her hair, and the opaque paleness of her skin. His mother, Honora, had a classic, timeless beauty that was worthy to be immortalized in oils, but Daniel would have cherished it more if he hadn't known what she had done.
Dropping it, Daniel rubbed his eyes. Harriet's questions came running through his mind, would he forgive his mother if she did explain herself?
That isifshe does give me something I can live with.
Propping the painting on a far desk, Daniel went to his bedchamber still burdened with his emotions for his mother and concern for Harriet.
He could only try to assure himself that the constables would do their job, and he and Harriet would be safe.
* * *
“What the deuce is this about some criminal threatening you?” Ben demanded as he strode into Daniel's study mid-morning the next day.
“Good morning to you too, Bradford,” Daniel replied dryly while signing off on a tax report. “Please come in, lovely to see you too. May I send for coffee?”
Benjamin flopped into a chair. “Tell me it isn't true.”
“I wish I could,” Daniel said as he placed the quill pen into the inkwell, then closed his books. Sitting back in his chair, Daniel added, “Where did you hear it from? Harriet?”
