Free The Seduction of Lady Charity: The Baxendale Sisters Book Four by Maggi Andersen Page B

“You’re not returning to the house?”
    “I think I’ll stay here awhile. It’s a good place to think.”
    He wanted to ask what she wished to think about but clamped his jaw on the question. He put on his hat and started back along the path. He was right not to rattle her with his demands. She was distracted and worried about her father. He would bide his time.
    “Robin?”
    He turned to find her leaning her arms on the rail, agreeably framed by the carved arch of woodwork. “Yes?”
    “Edward proposed to Honor here in this gazebo.”
    He grinned. “A charming spot for it.” Smart fellow that Edward.

Chapter Nine

    Before luncheon, the next morning, a carriage arrived. Mercy rushed into the bookroom where Charity was sitting with her mother and father. “It’s Lord Gunn!”
    “Gunn? What’s he doing here?” Father asked. “I declare the fellow’s most impetuous.”
    Lord Gunn stood in the drawing room in his coat, hat in hand, as the family filed in to receive him. “I was passing through on my way to London and wished to ensure you arrived safely,” he said, his gaze on Charity.
    “Good of you,” her father said. “Can I persuade you to remove your coat and stay for luncheon?”
    “Thank you, sir, but I wish to cover a few miles before dark. If I could speak to Lady Charity for a moment? I wish her to know how much my guests like the portrait.”
    Her father nodded, looking pleased, and ushered her mother and sister from the room.
    “Please sit, Lord Gunn,” Charity said, taking a chair and folding her hands in her lap.
    Gunn perched on the sofa looking big and awkward in his coat. “I could spend these moments heaping praise upon your art, Lady Charity, but I’d rather speak of how much I personally admire you. And how I’d like to see you again.”
    Shocked, and a little disconcerted, Charity couldn’t stop her hand as it flew to her neck. “I don’t see that it’s possible, Lord Gunn. We live so far apart.”
    “The miles mean little to me if I should see you at the end of the journey.”
    She swallowed and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I wish only to return home and continue with my work. It is of utmost importance to me.”
    He stood, and she was forced to also. He took her hands, gazing down at her. “I shall give you time to consider. I don’t intend to give up.”
    “I am very grateful to you for all that you’ve done,” she said quietly.
    His hands tightened around hers, and his green gaze roamed from her head to her feet. “It’s not gratitude I want from you, lassie. But I’m a patient man.”
    The door opened, and her mother appeared. “Are you sure we cannot offer you luncheon, Lord Gunn?”
    “Thank you, but no. I really must go.”
    Charity escorted him to the door. When his carriage rolled away down the drive, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Gunn reminded her of a whirlwind. Swirling across the ground, stirring up the fallen leaves, and then gone.
    “Well, what an energetic man!” Mama said when Gunn had left. “He reminds me of the spinning jenny the weavers use!”
    Charity nodded and sank back in her chair. “A perfect analogy, Mama!”
    ****
    “Your Grace?”
    Franklin entered the breakfast room, his pained expression in place earlier than usual. Robin paused, his knife poised over a rasher of bacon. “I am here, Franklin. What is it?”
    “A maid has informed me that Henry is in your bedchamber again.”
    “I begin to think I have little hope of training him.” Robin sighed. His new pet, a whippet pup he’d found wandering around the home farm with one badly torn ear, was far too fond of sleeping in Robin’s bed. That might not be so bad, but the dog tended to slip beneath the covers and lie with his head on the pillow.
    “Shall I have the dog removed, Your Grace?”
    Robin sliced off a piece of ham, wrapped it in a napkin, and handed it to the butler. “This might move him. Coax him to come here. I’ll take him rabbiting. He