Free Tuesday's Child (Heroines Born on Each Day of the Week Book 3) by Rosemary Morris Page A

Harriet, at the suggestion flames flickered in his eyes.
    His hands relaxed. He smiled. Perhaps Mister Markham was not indifferent to Lady Castleton. She might not be a beauty, but she was submissive, something for a gentleman, particularly a clergyman, to treasure in a prospective wife.
    Why should his daughter-in-law not agree to wed the handsome clergyman? Pennington frowned, considering his title. It was granted later than Faucon’s, to which Mister Markham would be direct heir to if his older brother died childless. Pennington scowled. If he lived to see the rector inherit his father’s rank, on state occasions he would resent Dominic Markham, who had refused all of his kind offers, taking precedence over him.
    What should he do? Draw Lady Castleton’s particular attention to Mister Markham? He did not think it would be difficult. She was already favourably predisposed towards the gentleman because he saved Arthur.
    Perhaps a ball. Mister Markham did not seem to be the type of clergyman who would refuse an invitation to one for fear his bishop might disapprove. He rubbed his hands together. An excellent notion, many romances began in a ballroom. Even if one did not blossom between Lady Castleton and Mister Markham, one might flourish between her and another suitable gentleman. If so, it might be the means for him to have custody of Arthur. Surely she would succumb to her bridegroom’s persuasion, particularly if he did not want a stepson in his household.
    He would ensure Lady Castleton always looked her best, even if it required a visit to London to replenish her wardrobe. What else? Regardless of the cost he would employ a more experienced abigail than the present one for his daughter-in-law. One skilled in dressing a lady’s hair, who also knew how to help her mistress to make the most of her appearance. He would not stint her. 
    Pennington looked forward to having sole charge of Arthur, during his daughter-in-law’s absence from Clarencieux. Sooner or later all of the boy’s affection would be transferred to him.
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    On the day after Dominic and Gwenifer visited Lady Castleton, he descended the stairs at the rectory with a spring in his step. 
    Gwenifer, enveloped in a pinafore and with a broad brimmed straw hat on her head, looked up, a wooden trug held in one hand.
    “The roses are in full bloom, so I am going to pick some. I think they are my favourite flowers.” Her forehead wrinkled. “I like your new riding habit. Are you going to visit some of your parishioners?”
    “No, I shall call on Lady Castleton to ask her to write a reference for Bessie.”
    “I daresay she will, for she seems agreeable. I like her and hope to further our acquaintance.”
    “Bless you.” Delighted by her words, Dominic rode to Clarencieux Abbey, where Jarvis admitted him.
    A footman stepped forward. Dominic handed him his hat, leather gloves and riding crop. A quick glance in one of a pair of mirrors shaped like mediaeval windows assured his simply tied cravat was in place and his hair was tidy. Satisfied, he followed Jarvis.
    Dominic wondered why he was so concerned with his appearance. Usually, he gave little thought to how he looked after he dressed in clothes appropriate for a man of God albeit made by his London tailor, whom many arbiters of fashion patronised. Today was different. Dominic wanted to make a good impression on Lady Castleton. Satisfied, he smiled.  No one, could say my coats and pantaloons don’t fit me to perfection. 
    Jarvis opened a double door. Dominic blinked in a blaze of sunlight pouring into the drawing room, decorated a la pseudo gothic in white, gold, and red, before he saw Lady Castleton, who stood by one of a series of windows.
    “Mister Markham,” the butler announced, in an unnecessarily loud tone.
    Dominic bowed. “My lady, I have come to make sure Lord Arthur has completely recovered from his ordeal.”
    She turned to face him. Once again he was struck by