Page 24 of Bargaining for the Barrister
Her brother sat with the older Mr. Sheldon, the two likely continuing their conversation from the night before.
“Louisa,” Logan greeted. “How did you sleep?”
She pushed her smile higher. “Well enough.” That seemed to appease him, because he turned back to Mr. Sheldon without another word. She listened to the two talk while she filled her plate at the sideboard.
“I would hate to impose upon you,” Logan said to Mr. Sheldon. His voice held a boyish excitement Louisa had not heard in at least twelve months, and she could not help but stare at him.
Mr. Sheldon scratched his bald spot and chuckled. “It’s only an imposition if I don’t want to go, when we both know I’d like nothing better.”
“Horses,” she whispered to herself. Their conversation had to be about horses. Logan rarely allowed himself to get excited about anything anymore. She never thought it would be hard to get him to leave this family behind. She took a seat beside her brother and cut into her slice of ham.
“Louisa, how would you feel if I took a little excursion today with Mr. Sheldon?”
She heard her father’s words in her head: Some things are meant to be. It seemed staying one more day was one of those things. “I would say you’d better go. Once you return home, you’ll be all business again. You deserve to have a little fun.”
“What did I tell you?” Logan said to Mr. Sheldon. “She is forever taking care of me.”
“It is very much the other way around,” Louisaresponded with a shake of her head. “My brother is merely grateful I said yes.”
“Indeed, he is,” Mr. Sheldon answered. “A young man ought not to stand around and watch his sister be courted.”
Louisa choked on her eggs and quickly took a drink. What was happening here was a far cry from courting. Surely, Mr. Sheldon knew his son had a tendre for another woman—or two—she really could not be sure. Perhaps his parents did not approve of Mr. Sheldon’s choice, and that was why she was here. She took a second drink to ease her throat after choking. This was all becoming much too complicated.
As if summoned by her thoughts, the younger Mr. Sheldon came in and paused when he saw her. His hair was still damp from being combed, and his face was freshly shaved. Did he grow more handsome with every passing day? Yet another reason Louisa wished they were leaving today. She gave him a quick smile and quickly shoveled another bite into her mouth. Some days it was harder to be positive than others, but she would persist because it’s what her parents had wanted.
A small clatter of a spoon hitting glass told her Mr. Sheldon was dishing himself breakfast. A moment later, he took a seat directly across from her.
“I’m taking Mr. Cox to see our breeder today,” the elder Mr. Sheldon said to his son.
“Oh? I wish I could join you, but I have a case to work on.”
“Good, because you were not invited.” Mr. Sheldon laughed at his own joke. “You’ll have to put off your case and entertain our guest today.”
The younger Mr. Sheldon met her gaze. “A lovely idea if I was not swamped with work.”
Louisa was used to her fortune-hunting suitors dropping everything and following her around. This should have felt refreshing, but it did not. She straightened her back. This, too, was meant to be. Why let herself be taken in by his odd personality and too-few smiles? No, Mr. Sheldon was not for her. She would have to hurry if she were to petition Lady Kellen to find her a different candidate before Logan forced the issue of another London Season.
“When did you get another case?” his father asked.
Mr. Sheldon pushed his food around his plate. “I met with my client for the second time yesterday afternoon.”
Of course. When he was supposedly walking with Louisa through the orchard. It was a small comfort to know that he had neglected his obligations to her for work and not out of spite. She wondered if it was the divorce case he’d made notes on.
“No one need worry about me,” she said. “I discovered several very good books in your library, and I will be curled up in my room reading.”
Silence followed her announcement. She forced another bite of food into her mouth, despite being full. After counting to one hundred, she scooted her chair back and stood.
“Enjoy your outing,” she said to her brother and the elder Mr. Sheldon. Then she glanced at his son, being sure not to look too long. “Good luck with your case.”
She took slow, steady steps from the room, knowing the men were watching her. Was it so very unbelievable that she wanted to read the day away? She made her way to the staircase and followed it to the top, where she turned toward her bedchamber. She would retrieve her book and make the most of her day in the library. No more matchmaking. No more private talks with Mr. Sheldon. No more nonsensical thoughts of how the man had seemed far more handsome today after their adventure together the night before. She would do everything in her power to avoid running into him until it was time to bid him goodbye. If they were going to part soon, it would be best to leave things as they’d stood last evening... even if it meant she might carry a small tendre for him home with her.
Chapter 11
Paul was done playing games.It was time to put an end to his mother’s matchmaking mischief. He pushed aside his breakfast, having hardly tasted it, and excused himself. There would be no avoiding Miss Cox today. Not until they put this matchmaking poppycock behind them. Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached the landing and strode down the short corridor to Miss Cox’s room. Before any nerves could steal away his willpower, he knocked three times, the sharp sound echoing around him.
The door opened, and Miss Cox stared at him with some trepidation. Something in his expression must have given him away, for she stepped out and shut her door behind her. “Is something the matter?” Her soft eyes implored his.
Miss Cox’s innocent expression would not work on him this time. “Miss Cox,” he said in his most authoritative tone. “I must speak with you privately.”
