Page 39 of A Maid's Fateful Courtship
“It is true,” Ethan admitted, joining in the banter. “I have a great love of books and when I rearrange my study, I will have walls of bookcases surrounding me.”
“You do not want to take over my study?” the marquess asked, looking a little surprised.
“No, thank you, Father. You have many years of use left in it yet,” Ethan replied. “But you are right in one thing, I do have an urgent matter to discuss with you. That is why I would like to meet with you in the library. Shall we say after Aunt Geraldine’s high tea this afternoon?”
“If something is bothering you, my boy, we can meet straight away,” Marcus offered. “I recognise that look of worry etched on your face, and I am keen to know what is causing you such distress.”
“You know me all too well, Father. But no, it can wait. I merely wish to discuss my choice of bride with you,” he declared as if it was a simple affair. As Ethan finished speaking, he noticed a look of surprise on Lord Thomas’ face but ignored him.
“You have chosen your future bride then?” Thomas asked, for Ethan knew that he had hopes it would be his sister.
“Do tell us, Ethan, who is the lucky lady? Put us out of our misery.” Anthony tried to tease it out of him, but Ethan remained tight-lipped. He had a feeling that his brother would assume it to be Lady Matilda, as she was a close family friend.
“As a boy, Father, when I met you in the library it was always to ask your advice on something,” Ethan harked back to the conversation with his father. “But as a man, I wish only to inform you of choices that I have made. I will not be seeking your counsel on this.”
“Whoa! My brother is most certainly smitten by someone, I do believe,” Anthony called out, looking impressed by Ethan’s confident statement. “We are no sooner back on home turf and Ethan has fallen head over heels in love,” Anthony pushed further as he glanced over at Lady Matilda.
“In that case, I am looking forward to our meeting,” the marquess announced. “I am getting far too old to be making your decisions for you, so I will welcome your choice, whatever the verdict may be.”
Ethan made to stand up to leave the table, without even a passing glance at Lady Matilda. In fact, he had not looked at her once at the breakfast table, even though she had tried to engage him in conversation over her painting.
“Oh, and good day to you, Thomas, and you also, Lady Matilda,” Ethan said, looking Thomas’ way. “I understand you will both be leaving us today?”
“Quite so,” Lord Thomas replied. “Although we may enjoy your gardens for a few more hours before we return home.”
“I say, Thomas, has your business meeting been cancelled?” Anthony asked, looking a little puzzled that his friend was to stay on longer.
“Oh that, yes. Yes, it has. I received word of the cancellation this morning," Thomas informed him. "And my sister does so love to take a turn in your gardens, do you not, Matilda?”
Lady Matilda bowed her head in agreement and smiled but said not a word.
“That is jolly good then.” Anthony nodded. “I am pleased at the delay in your departure. It means that we can take a stroll later, and soak in some of this British summer sunshine.”
“Indeed.” Lord Thomas smirked. “But first, I must speak with my sister on a family matter, if you do not mind.”
“Not at all,” Anthony replied.
Ethan had not yet walked away from the table but his thoughts meandered. He noticed Lord Thomas move his chair to stand up. Ethan’s eyes followed him as he moved around the table to help his sister out of her chair, and they left the breakfast table behind, to go and talk in private.
“Well, Father,” Anthony spoke, “you can now inform Aunt Geraldine that she has good cause to be happy. She may yet be hearing the noise of children running around Sarandale Manor very soon.”
The marquess nodded his head in agreement and Ethan noticed him smile at the thought of it. Though he could see that something was bothering his father. But he had no intention on discussing the matter further and made to walk away from the table before anyone asked him any further questions.
Chapter 31
“That was a big sigh,” Lettie commented, giving Josephine an exasperated look. “Why are you here clearing away the breakfast table with me, anyway? That is not your job.”
“I have a lot on my mind, Lettie,” Josephine informed her friend. “It was an excuse to come outside and take in the warm air.”
Lettie knew that her friend would say no more, well, at least not until she was ready to do so, so she said nothing in return. Instead, she continued to gather the uneaten breakfast food, and collect the China pots and crystal plates.
“I want to ask you something, Lettie,” Josephine finally broke the silence between the two friends.
“Do you know of any estates that might have positions available?” she asked as she placed a piece of heavy crystal glass on a separate tray.
“Oh, my goodness! You want to leave Sarandale Manor, do you? Lettie asked, shocked at the question.
“I do not understand. You have a good position here. You are well respected by everyone, including all the family members. Why would you think like that?” Lettie was genuinely flummoxed on why Josephine would even contemplate leaving Sarandale Manor. It was a place that she had lived in all her life.
