Page 65 of Introducing Miss Joanna (Once a Wallflower 2)

He laughed. “We have fowl plenty at the farm.”

“It’s my father,” Jo said uneasily. “I don’t want him to be alone. He has no one now that Aunt Mary plans to move into her new cottage.”

“Then, he must live with us.”

“It worries me a little. Papa’s ways are different. I should not like the ton to offend him. Some can be cruel.”

“Have they offended him?”

“He hasn’t said so.”

“After he left last night, a guest inquired after him. He’s popular with some, you know.”

She widened her eyes. “Papa is popular?”

“Yes. He’s plain speaking. It might surprise you, but many people approve of him. Down to earth commonsense isn’t so common in the upper echelons of Society.”

She laughed. “I suppose it isn’t.”

“Your papa is knowledgeable about a number of things. He’s had a more adventurous life than most.”

“He served under Admiral Nelson at Agamemnon,” Jo said with a rush of pride.

Reade smiled and brushed a hand softly across her cheek. “He didn’t seem to approve of me, initially. I hope that is no longer the case, as I must ask him for your hand.”

“That was because of something Mrs. Millet told him.”

“And what was that?”

She didn’t want to tell him, fearing it would upset him. “It doesn’t matter now.”

“It does. You must give me the chance to defend myself.”

“She said you left a woman at the altar who was expecting your baby.”

Reade looked thunderous. “Wretched woman. A complete fabrication.”

“I never believed it for a moment,” Jo said in a rush. “I know now why she said it. She wanted to turn my father against you and push her son forward.”

He smoothed a lock of hair that had escaped to blow across her cheek. “You’ve come without a pelisse, and the wind is cool. Shall we walk back?”

“I hadn’t noticed the breeze.” She was warm down to her toes. “Let’s hurry home. Papa will be so pleased, and everyone will want to hear our news.”

He raised his eyebrows with a smile. “Everyone?”

“Sally tells me the staff is used to serving a sedate older gentleman and find us of great interest. Even the butler, Mr. Spears, has become our friend.”

Reade laughed.

Dalrymple was pleased. He shook Reade’s hand and agreed to contact his solicitor to arrange the signing of the marriage settlement. The size of Jo’s dowry surprised Reade.

“And you shall come and live with us, Papa,” Jo said. “Lord Reade has a large house.”

Her father raised ginger eyebrows, his green eyes wide with surprise. “Nothing of the sort, my girl. You and Reade need time alone.”

“There’s no need for that, sir.” Reade grinned. “It’s a sizeable place. We might not run into each other from morning till night.”

Dalrymple chuckled. “That’s as may be. And I appreciate your invitation. But I am eager to return home to Marlborough. It’s where I’m most contented. A man knows where he belongs, Lord Reade, and for me, it’s where my friends and neighbors are.”

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