Free His Impassioned Proposal (The Bridgethorpe Brides) by Aileen Fish Page B

peace?
    Stephen felt a sudden, deep longing to hear childish laughter ring through the halls of Larkspur Cottage. Not the voices of his younger cousins, but of his own children. He wanted to share in their laughter. To chase his sons around the nursery, waving a wooden pirate sword and saying nonsensical things like “matey” and “walk the plank”. To sit with his daughters drinking tea, liberally infused with milk, in delicate little cups and speak of being presented to the Queen.
    That longing hit his gut and at the same moment he had to blink hard in hopes no one would see the tears that welled. Stuff and nonsense . He was merely missing his parents at such an important time of the year for family.
    Yet he made a mental note to revise the number of bed chambers in his house plans.

    In early February when the roads had dried after a brief, torrential rain, Stephen set out for Bridgethorpe Manor. David had come up from Newmarket and sent word to meet him there in his curricle.
    Bundled warmly in his many-caped greatcoat against the chilly weather, Stephen arrived by early afternoon, where he was greeted by his female cousins. The younger two boys had returned to Cambridge after the holidays, and Knightwick was off in London, so David was the only son presently at home. Stephen wasn’t certain whether he envied his cousin the attention from his sisters, or was grateful he had his own quiet home to return to.
    “Stephen, Mama says we may go to London next month with Hannah,” Patience exclaimed as he removed his gloves and cloak.
    Her twin, Madeleine was not to be outdone. “And we may each have a new gown and buy six new ribbons.”
    Hannah descended the staircase with practiced grace he’d not noticed before. “Girls, Cousin Stephen does not wish to hear of such matters as shopping and ribbons.”
    Stephen noticed something new in her air. “You look lovely, Hannah, as do all of you. Are you excited to be leaving for Town soon?”
    Hannah laughed softly. “Not nearly as excited as these two. Mama is letting them, and little Lucy-Anne, come with us, although they’ll return home before the majority of the ton arrives for the Season.”
    “Oh, so he won’t have the duty of chaperoning you about?”
    “Yes, he will, once he returns. Papa will be sitting in Parliament and has no interest in balls and the opera. Mama has insisted Knightwick be in attendance with me. I fear she thinks I will be swept away in the midst of a ball by some scandalous rake.”
    Stephen grinned. “I’ve heard Knightwick and David discussing the same fear. You will be quite popular among the debutantes, Hannah, have no doubt.”
    “Oh, la, you are all so silly. I will be lucky to fill my dance card at Almack’s. Jane will be with us, and she is much prettier than I. Why, no one will look at me when she is near—” Hannah’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Stephen, that was cruel of me to say.”
    Swallowing the burning in his gut, Stephen said, “Jane is lovely and will not lack for partners, either. You will both be surrounded by suitors.”
    Studying him briefly, Hannah tipped her head to one side. “Will you not be in Town at all?”
    He wondered if he should let his plans be known. “Can you keep a secret?”
    She clapped her hands together and then took him by the arm, shooing her sisters away as she pulled him into the front parlor. “Do tell me. I won’t tell a soul, I promise.”
    “I have taken rooms of my own in Town and will call on some of my friends in hopes of gaining a few invitations. I plan to pay court to Jane.”
    Hannah’s frown worried him. “Do you, um, plan to make any new acquaintances among the young ladies who are out?”
    So she didn’t think he stood a chance with Jane? That didn’t bode well, for she knew her friend better than anyone. “I hadn’t planned on that necessity. I rather hoped to charm Jane into reacquainting herself with our old friendship.”
    Patting his hand, Hannah said,