Page 22 of Tempting Mr. Townsend
Fenella cast Brand a mocking glance. “My son was perfectly capable of saying no. But as nothing too dire has happened, we'll let bygones be bygones.”
“Thank you, Mamma” Brand said with a quick smile.
“Nicely done, my lads,” the old lady said from the bed. Fenella knew her praise included Mr. Townsend.
“We should leave you to rest” she said, noting Mrs. Penn's pallor.
“It's been grand to see the youngsters. But…”
“But they're a handful. I know” Fenella turned to the boys. “Collect your winnings and come downstairs”
As the boys said goodbye to Mrs. Penn and rushed ahead through the door, she couldn't help smiling. Despite hints of future maturity, they were still such babies.
“They're good bairns. I'm right glad you're not going to punish them,” Mrs. Penn said, collapsing back with a rattling gasp. Fenella crossed to close the curtains before the old lady stopped her. “I'd rather see the sky, my lady.”
“Very well.”
“Dr. Brown will be here this afternoon.” Mr. Townsend bent to kiss his nurse's lined cheek with a touching lack of self-consciousness.
“He's an old fool” she grumbled. “Always prying and prodding”
“He speaks right highly of you”
Mrs. Penn gave a weary grunt of laughter. “Get away with you, lad, you and your nonsense. And make sure you show this bonny lady over the house. It's a fine place and if you impress her, she might decide to take you on”
Mr. Townsend burst out laughing and kissed Mrs. Penn again as Fenella, furiously blushing, said, “Mr. Townsend and I only met last night. You misunderstand”
Mrs. Penn's eyes fluttered shut, but a faint smile curved her mouth. “Forgive a doddery old woman. My mind's not what it used to be.”
Mr. Townsend took Fenella's arm and led her from the room, closing the door after him.
“She's a troublemaker,” Fenella said.
He cast her an amused glance, and she marveled yet again how much more approachable he looked when he was laughing. “She is, at that.”
“Does she try to marry you off to every unattached female she sees in your company? That must wear out its welcome.”
He regarded her thoughtfully. “You know, this is the first time she's done that. You're special.”
Fenella's dismissive snort would have shocked her swains in London, all of whom were convinced of her fastidious nature. “It must be her illness.”
He raised that speaking eyebrow. “So you're brave enough to see through the house?”
Fenella responded with a speaking look. “I dare you to show me. I'll struggle to resist the temptation to drag you before the nearest vicar.”
He gave a theatrical sigh. “You know the risks. On your own head be it.”
Only as they descended the stairs did she realize that Mr. Townsend hadn't scoffed at Mrs. Penn's matchmaking. She hadn't realized he was so tactful.
Chapter Seven
After dinner, Anthony sipped his brandy and studied the lovely woman drinking tea on the other side of his drawing room. The lads had eaten with them, then retired with surprising docility which meant they were probably upstairs hatching mischief. Anthony couldn't get too exercised about the possibility when he had a bonny lass to look at, a blazing fire to sit beside, and a belly full of an excellent dinner.
Like everything else at the Beeches, the room was shabby, but with the potential for magnificence. A room in need of a woman's touch, in fact.
He wanted that woman to be Fenella Deerham.
He'd built an extravagant fortune on following his instincts. In this case, his instincts verged on madness. Her family pedigree stretched back to Adam. All his money couldn't match her aristocratic refinement.
