Free Discovery of Desire by Susanne Lord Page A

channels, and all that.
    â€œThat sounds real fine, Minnie.” And it would be fine. It was going to have to be.
    â€œAnd you’ll bring Thomas?” she asked.
    â€œI’m thinking Tom will want to be anywhere you’re at.”
    â€œDo you think so?”
    Her eyes were shiny with hope and he raked a hand through his hair. Damn awkward. She needed Tom for marrying and Seth needed him to find Georgie—anywhere that might be. Once time came to travel, nothing would stop him from taking Tom with him. Away from Mina.
    There wasn’t but one solution he could think of: Tom had to wed her.
    So he’d better do it damn soon.

Six
    â€œDo I persuade you I am a great hunter?” Thomas said by way of greeting, posing beside the carriage that would take them to Lake Vehar. “On yet another shikar for rampaging beasts? Which I find only mildly amusing, of course.”
    Mina smiled, examining his sporting ensemble from his pith helmet to his boots to his holstered knife. “Good afternoon, Thomas. And yes, you do look the proficient.”
    â€œAh, good, as I’ve only ever hunted quail. And I’m a sorry marksman.”
    Emma poked the handle of his blade with a frown. “Truly, I’m going on an Indian shikar . I suppose the drive will allow me to see something of the countryside so the day will not be a complete waste.”
    â€œA waste?” Thomas asked.
    â€œNo one in the family shoots,” Mina explained. “Emma is particularly averse.”
    â€œAh.” Thomas handed his gear to his servant. “Killing God’s creatures is a favorite pastime among Company men. Unfortunately for them, snipe is on offer today. Frightfully hard to hit; they fly in a corkscrew pattern when flushed. There’ll be a great number of sullen men at the end of the day.”
    â€œI hope you’re right,” Emma said.
    Thomas chuckled. His mood seemed much improved from yesterday. Already the conversation was easier. Perhaps she had been anxious for no reason. Thomas had sent for a wife—she was assured he wanted one.
    Whether he wanted her was yet to be determined.
    At the least, this second day together provided a facade of familiarity. She had no talent for rapid rapport, a necessary skill in women exported for marriage. Four friends had accepted offers after their first interviews yesterday. And those from perfect strangers.
    â€œHas Colin Rivers sent word?” Thomas asked.
    Emma huffed a breath. “No. Not a word, note, or telegram.”
    Thomas frowned in sympathy. “I’m sure he is desperate to get here. Shouldn’t be much longer. Laxman?” Thomas called to his bearer, who was climbing down from the carriage. “Where is Mr. Mayhew?”
    â€œI believe he is en route, sahib ,” Laxman said. “I certainly did see him buy food from the bazaar.”
    â€œAre you sure that was him?” Thomas asked.
    Laxman bowed his head. “Mr. Mayhew is not easy to mistake, sahib .”
    â€œI’m so glad you and Mr. Mayhew were able to join us,” Mina said.
    â€œHe won’t be if he’s late.” Thomas scanned the street. “But I’m hopeful this may be a productive afternoon. The men may be more amenable to helping Mayhew if meeting him on the hunting field. But then”—he frowned at a thought—“they’ll all have their shotguns.”
    â€œI think it wonderful that you are helping him,” Emma said. “Is there any news of his sister?”
    â€œNot yet,” Thomas said.
    â€œMina is helping, too,” Emma said before Mina could warn her to silence. “Our friend Julia is engaged to a political agent in West Bengal and he is very keen to inquire. He promised he would. And Edith’s gentleman, also. Mina has secured so many promises of help that we’re sure to—”
    â€œWe mustn’t raise hopes, Emma,” she said.
    Thomas met her eye for an