Page 99 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“Areyou sure Hattie won’t be joining us this evening?” askedCaroline.
“No, she has some other personal matters to attend to tonight,” repliedWill.
After the events of the previous night, Will was in no mood to go into the finer details of Hattie’s absence from the party. He would call on her at Edgar’s house in the morning and discuss the plan he had agreed to with Reverend Brown. If she agreed to his terms, he would ask Edgar for his sister’s hand inmarriage.
He prayed she would agree. He was fast running out ofoptions.
StubbornWoman.
In the aftermath of his fight with Hattie, Will had forgotten entirely about his promise to accompany two of his younger siblings to a small gathering at a family friend Harry Menzies’ house; only remembering when Caroline sent word earlier thatafternoon.
Having spent so many years away from home, he owed it to them to step into the role of big brother now that he was permanently back in London. He could never give them back the time he had been absent during their youngeryears.
“Do you like my new gown, mama says it makes me look quiteregal?”
Will looked at Caroline, but his mind was elsewhere. His every waking thought of the day thus far had been about Hattie. She wanted him, he had always known that much. Now he knew she lovedhim.
But was love enough for her to take her place by his side; of that he was not sosure.
“Well?”
“You look delightful sis. I’m sure all the gentlemen whose favor you wish to hold tonight will notice. Dull of mind older brothers being an unfortunate exception,” saidFrancis.
Will stirred from his musings at the clear rebuke fromFrancis.
“I’m sorry Caro. Yes, your gown is beautiful, as are you. Forgive me for my woolgathering I have a lot on my mind thisevening.”
He focused on his youngest sister. Caroline was a true beauty. One of the diamonds of theton.Behind her astonishingly deep green eyes was a sharp mind. Heaven help the man who sought to marry her just for herlooks.
They headed out to the mews at the rear of the Saunders town house in Dover Street. Charles Saunders preferred the French mode of coming and going discreetly from home, rather than the grand show the English made of departing from the front of theirhouses.
Will waited until Caroline and Francis were onboard.
“Could you give me a minute?” hesaid.
He walked away from the carriage. From his pocket he withdrew a small cheroot and a nearby footman lit it forhim.
Leaning against the side of the carriage, he tried to clear his head. He had sent word earlier in the day to call on Hattie, but had received a short note stating that she was working at the church and would not be back until earlyevening.
The beginning of what he thought was a headache had been forming in his brain for the past hour or so. His hearing was also off cue. A long low whistle was ringing in hisear.
One of the kitchen maids appeared from the kitchens, with a large wooden bowl in her hands. She headed over to the rear of the garden and out through a sidegate.
Adelaide Saunders had grown up in Scotland with fresh eggs delivered every day from the Strathmore estate chickens. She flatly refused to have eggs bought from the markets of London, and so the family kept a dozen chickens in a small garden at the rear of theirhouse.
The chickens came racing over to the gate as soon as the maid opened it. The flap of wings and excited squawks stirred the night air as the chickens jostled for position to gain access to the supper leftovers. Will watched as the chickens made short work of the carrot and potatopeelings.
Will drew back on his cheroot. There were always hungry mouths to feed. The chickens in his parent’s garden likely ate better than most of Hattie’s friends in St.Giles.
He threw the barely smoked cheroot down and crushed it with his boot. After the gathering tonight, he would call at Edgar Wright’s house and speak withHattie.
Will climbed aboard thecarriage.
* * *
“So,who is at this soiree tonight?” askedWill.
