Page 87 of His Spirited Lady
Her father swirled the whiskey in his glass. “How?”
“Do you think I toured all those wineries with you and learned nothing?” She knelt beside his chair so she could see his face and he could see her smile. “Or that I hid in the pantry because I liked potatoes? I have given upeverythingfor this this, and I can support myself with it.”
Jasper leafed through the ledger and gave a low whistle. “Is this a net figure?”
“It is, and before investments. Drake has some he wants me to consider.”
“Fletcher?”
Jasper raised an eyebrow, reminding her of Richard and her purpose for doing this in the first place. She stood and looked between her parents. “Richard agreed to help me climb onto the shelf. That’s done now. If I cry off first, I can just be heartbroken and not ruined.” A lump bloomed in her throat. “I have to keep to our agreement, which precedes the marriage contract.” It was easier if it sounded like business.
She pulled the ring box and letter from her pocket and delivered them to Jasper. “Give these to him, please.”
*
Thea greeted themin the stable, Simon’s giant dog on her heels. “There you are.”
Richard braced himself for a tongue-lashing and received an embrace instead.
“Don’t ever do that to us again,” she said. “Welcome home.”
“Thank you.” Richard let himself enjoy the affection, but this wasn’t his home. Not yet. “I’m sorry for worrying you. Are the children all right?”
“Simon has declared you each owe him a story.” She put a box in his hands. “After you resolve this.”
He didn’t need to see the box to know it was Amelia’s ring. He was more interested in the letter.
Her handwriting was much like her, clear and direct with just enough flourish to make it interesting.
There once was a lass who toldlies.
She thought that it proved her quitewise.
But Cupid diddart,
And she gave up herheart
To a man who saw through herdisguise.
Dearest Richard, I don’t know how to say goodbye, but I promised you I would. Thank you for your help and for encouraging me to take control of my life. You’re free.
A~
He looked to his family and was able to see the joy and peace on Oliver’s face when he had Thea in his arms. Oliver had worked hard for this reward—twice. Richard had fallen into it on the road when he’d arrived and then thrown it away.
“Go, you idiot.” Thea pushed him toward his horse, which was already saddled. “Jasper said he’d delay his trip to London as long as he could.”
Oliver nodded his encouragement.
Richard swung into the saddle, and kneed Rabbit into a gallop down the lane. The horse never slowed once they cleared the first fence, then the second and third. The wind skimmed Richard’s hair from his face and whipped his jacket open to lash at his waistcoat. His eyes watered, but he could still see Oakdale on the horizon. He flattened his back and leaned into the horse’s neck. “Get me to her, boy.”
They thundered to the front steps, and a groom ran to catch the horse while Richard took the stairs in two quick leaps. Simms already had the door open. “Mr. Ferrand, I’m not sure—”
Richard clenched his fists to keep from shoving the man aside. At the last moment, Augustus walked into the hallway on his cane. Jasper was at his side.
“Augustus,” Richard called from the doorway. There were too many things to say, too many explanations and promises, too many plans and apologies. It all boiled down to one word. “Please.”
The old man’s glare faded after a few long moments. “She’s in the garden.”
