Page 25 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
“Undoubtedly,” Ethan muttered as he stood up. He could not remember much of what they had talked about at all; his mind had been too preoccupied with better things.
Ethan followed Anthony, who led him towards Lord Thomas. His brother's friend was already in the large billiards room, with a glass of brandy in hand.
“I see my sister has preoccupied you over dinner,” Lord Thomas said in greeting.
“Ah, yes… she is a natural beauty,” Ethan replied, saying the words that he knew were expected of him as they came the easiest. Yet his mind was trapped elsewhere in what might have been, if only Josephine had not been frightened away.
“Anthony tells me that you have an interest in the sugar trade?” Lord Thomas questioned, moving on to business talk without hardly a pause in his breath. “I have many contacts in those quarters. It would be a great honour to assist you, should you wish to move forward with investments in that area.”
“Yes, yes… we must discuss it sometime in the future,” Ethan replied. Although he hoped to put off the discussion as he had no head for business at that moment.If only we had shared that first kiss,his mind betrayed him as his thoughts drifted off to the gardens and Josephine once again.
“I say, old boy, are you well?” Anthony asked. “You look in a daze, brother. It must be the Lady Matilda’s doing. She does rather have that effect on one, does she not?”
Ignoring what Anthony had said to him, Ethan merely smiled and nodded in agreement.
“Are you looking to settle down and marry, now that you are returned home?” Lord Thomas asked when he noted that Ethan had not replied to his brother’s question.
Ethan smiled again, but still did not reply. The thought of marriage brought to mind a vision of Josephine, standing by his side at a church altar. Their lips would join together as they agreed to be man and wife.
“Harrumph!” Cedric coughed as he nudged Ethan’s arm. It was clear that as he joined the group, he had overheard the question Lord Thomas put to Ethan. When Ethan ignored him, Cedric answered for him, “Father has high expectations of Ethan's chosen wife. Is not that so, brother? Being the heir to the estate, and all that, you must choose well, am I right?”
Cedric’s nudge had managed to bring Ethan out of his daydream, and as he looked at his brother he noted a strange look in his eyes. Was it Cedric who had almost caught him with Josephine? Ethan felt an urge to be frank in his reply and inform them all that he had already chosen his wife. Imagine how they would look shocked they would be if he told them it was Josephine.
“Get your wits about you, will you? It’s our turn on the billiards table,” Lord Thomas interrupted his thoughts yet again. “I say, Lord Ethan, come on and look lively, you are to play the winner.”
Chapter 20
“Are you well, Josephine?” Lady Cynthia asked, as she had sent for her to attend the garden room, where she was taking tea.
Josephine hesitated in answering as a panic arose in her mind. All night long she had recalled the private moment that she had shared with Ethan in the rose garden. But now she worried, was it Lady Cynthia’s footsteps she had heard? Was this going to be the moment of discovery?
“Well, m’lady?” Josephine put her words as a question, instead of answering the question she had been asked. It was a kind of defence, as all she wanted to do was run away. The thought of being caught in a compromising position with a lord of the manor petrified her. It would disgrace the entire family.
“I note that you are looking quite pale, and I ask only out of concern,” Cynthia replied, confusion written in her eyes. “Has something happened that has upset you?”
“N-no, m’lady, and I am quite well,” Josephine finally answered, though she still half expected the lady to ask her why she was alone with her brother.
“I suppose now that Doreen is readying to leave, you are taking on many more tasks?” Lady Cynthia asked. She had once requested that Josephine become her personal maid when she married, but Josephine had not wanted to leave Sarandale Manor.
“You can talk to me in confidence as we did when we were girls, should anything be bothering you.”
“I am enjoying my role as a housekeeper, m’lady,” Josephine replied. “I have no concerns.”
“Very well, but do make sure that you get plenty of rest, for we do not want you to be under the weather,” Lady Cynthia suggested. “Now then, moving on, I have asked to speak with you over an urgent matter.”
Josephine braced herself, expecting the worse.Are they to send me away with Doreen, and in disgrace?
“The guests who have stayed on are partaking in a picnic this afternoon, down by the lake,” Lady Cynthia informed her. “I would like to give you this list so that you can make sure the food baskets cater to each of their needs. I know that I can trust you and Martha to create a splendid picnic for us, albeit at rather short notice.”
“Of course, m’lady," Josephine said, a sense of relief flowing through her. "All will be ready on time.”
She took the list handed to her and checked through the ordered items against everyone's names. There she spotted Ethan’s preferences, and her stomach churned at just reading his name.How am I going to face you ever again, after our intimate moment yesterday?
“Do we have all those things?” Lady Cynthia asked with raised eyebrows, as Josephine had remained very quiet.
“I will check with Martha, m'lady. She has a well-stocked pantry so I am sure everything will be available,” Josephine assured her.
“Good. Do not let me keep you,” Lady Cynthia said, dismissing her. “Oh, and Josephine?”
