Page 40 of Tempting a Gentleman
Christopher mumbled, “Madness. Utter madness.” Becoming a PORF appeared to be a double-edged sword. He wanted to fulfill the duties of a PORF as the men in his family had done for generations. But to hurt the woman he loved in order to carry out those duties—he couldn’t do it. There must be another way. And as Mrs. Lennox stated, he’d have to figure out a way.
The man he thought a friend stared at Christopher hard. After moments of silence, Lord Waterford sighed. “If you don’t believe you can meet our wishes, we shall have to refuse permission to wed Emma. Only a man willing to take on these tasks is worthy of our Emma’s hand.”
Damnation. While the voyage to the eastern shores of the New World was fast becoming routine, the seas were still littered with pirates. It was not a short jaunt to Europe and back. This request would require significant planning, many weeks at sea, and then many more months once they were upon land to safely establish and infiltrate a city. It was an enormous challenge. And hadn’t he privately wished for change and adventure only a few weeks ago? There was no other woman of his acquaintance that he would want by his side to assist him, but what of Emma’s wishes?
When Lord Waterford placed his palms flat upon the table as if he was preparing to leave, Christopher stalled the man’s actions by saying, “Very well. I agree to your terms.” After all, he’d vowed to do whatever they asked.
With a wide smile, Mrs. Lennox whispered, “Ye should have tried to negotiate.”
“Emma is too valuable to me to risk the council’s wrath.”
“Welcome to me family.” She patted his arm. “I shall do me best to ease things with Emma, but yer brother and the journey across the seas, that ye’ll have to do on yer own.”
“I appreciate the support, but I shall fulfillallrequirements on my own.”
Mrs. Lennox stood, and the men followed. Last to rise, Christopher caught Waterford staring at the parchment still sitting upon the table.
He unfolded it, expecting a long list of ladies' names. Instead, there was only one name, and a peculiar one at that.Eliza Suttingham.Damnation. The woman’s name meant either he was to bring Tobias, Lord Burke, the third PORF family back home to England, or the journey was intended to be more permanent. His mind began to whirl with possibilities and ramifications. Stomach and head in turmoil, Christopher simply blinked when Waterford slapped an arm about his shoulders.
His friend gave him a little shake. “Do not fear. I’m at your disposal should you need assistance.”
“My thanks.” Christopher waved the note in front of Waterford. “Who decided upon this?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. I might suggest you have tea with your dear sister-in-law, Countess Hadfield, this afternoon.”
Yes, an afternoon with Bronwyn would be a grand idea. But he needed to speak to her alone. Turning to Waterford, Christopher asked, “I could do with your help.”
Instantly Waterford replied, “I’m happy to assist.”
“I need you to keep my brother occupied for a few hours.”
The man’s eyes widened and lit up with excitement. “Hmmm…what do you suggest?”
Christopher loved his brother and inwardly flinched at the idea of Waterford inflicting physical harm to Landon, but he needed a solid two hours to discuss matters with Bronwyn. “An afternoon at Gentleman Jacksons?”
Grinning, Waterford said, “Perfect. Hadfield needs to be knocked on his arse every now and then. I’ll happily volunteer to do it. How long do you need him gone?”
Christopher suspected Waterford still had not forgiven Landon for vying for his lady’s hand in marriage, not that Lady Mary ever seriously considered Landon’s suit.
Regretting making the suggestion, Christopher asked, “Why?”
“Well, if I knock him out right away, it won’t give you much time with Countess Hadfield. I think I shall let him get a punch or two in.”
“If you wouldn’t mind. But I’ll warn you, while you have been up holed up in Scotland with your wife, Landon’s been practicing with Archbroke.”
“Hmph. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to discuss matters with your dear sister-in-law. However, I do expect you to have whatever is needed to carry out the promises you made here today.” Cracking his knuckles with glee, Waterford left the room.
There was only one last task before he took his own leave. He tore off the bottom half of the parchment with Miss Suttingham’s name on it and placed it between his lips, while he folded the remaining half with the woman’s name on it and tucked it into his breast pocket. Withdrawing his pencil from his jacket, he took the parchment from his mouth, bent over the table, and scribbled the words,me kisses are fer ye.
Grinning, he left the room and as he passed Rutherford the note. “I’ll be at my brother’s townhouse; have it delivered there.”
Without looking at the note, Rutherford said, “It will be done.”
Christopher strode down the path with a new purpose. Anything for Emma.
Chapter Nineteen
Eyes trained on the center of the Hadfield butler’s back, Emma followed the man she’d known since childhood and whose family had served the Hadfields for generations.
