“Certainly, miss.”
Anna grasped Lucy’s arm as they headed toward the gate. The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves quieted as the carriage drew further away. If only Anna would give her some breathing room. There must be something to take her attention so Lucy might have a chance to converse again with Mr. Barrow.
If he were even there.
A deep voice from behind them startled her. “Ah, Miss Ashbrook. Lovely to see you here.”
Lucy gasped in delight. He was there! A tug at her sleeve drew her attention away from the most arresting brown eyes she’d ever seen.
Out of the corner of her mouth, Anna said, “Who is he? Why is he speaking to you?”
A flicker of dismay settled in Lucy’s stomach. What Anna considered a whisper was always more of a thunderclap. So, of course, Mr. Barrow had to have heard the question.
“Pardon me, dear lady.” He stepped toward Anna. “I have indeed had the pleasure of meeting Miss Ashbrook. Yesterday, in fact. I also made the acquaintance of her unfortunate hat.”
Anna’s eyes grew round. “What are you speaking of? Her hat?” She backed away as if Mr. Barrow meant her harm, dragging Lucy toward a bench. The very same bench where Lucy had first met him. Anna yanked her down and sat next to her.
“Lucy, the gall of that man. A laborer, speaking of your personal apparel. Insinuating that he is your acquaintance.”
“But… he is. You see—”
“What? You’ve engaged in conversation with him? Oh no, that will never do. Never at all. Your father would be livid.”
“But—”
“You need to meet and marry someone worthy of you. Why he’s just… just…”
“A very kind man.” As opposed to Conrad. Why oh why does Father seem intent upon marrying me off to that toad? She cared not a whit about titles and money. Marrying a common laborer such as Mr. Barrow would be vastly superior.
Anna lowered her brows. “Surely you don’t have an interest in him?”
“You see—”
“Lucy! You cannot be serious.”
“Watch your voice, please. He can hear you.” Glancing toward Mr. Barrow, Lucy’s face flamed. Oh yes, he’d heard. With crossed arms and a gleeful smile on his face, he pointedly stared. At her. Well, there’d be no secret now that she’d been thinking about him since yesterday.
Wait. Where is he going? Mr. Barrow, with his brown eyes, broad shoulders, and adorable dimple, turned and headed up the path toward a small outbuilding.
Was that it? He’d overheard Anna’s words, surmised, albeit correctly, that Lucy had an interest in him and then left?
Fuming, Lucy faced Anna, determined not to give Mr. Barrow the courtesy of even glancing his direction. How rude. How gauche. Perhaps Anna was correct, and such a man was not fit company for her.
And more to the point, if he—
Steps pattered again on the path.
No. I won’t look. I won’t! But her head seemed of its own volition to pivot until once again his brown eyes were in her line of sight. Who was that older man with him?
The two men stopped in front of the bench. The other man smiled at Lucy, but when his gaze fell on Anna, his eyes lit up. Lucy’s glance at Anna showed her an identical expression on the older woman’s face. Looking from one to the other, Lucy shook her head. It was as if lightning had struck that very spot, drawing together two people who’d never before laid eyes on each other.
And from their expressions, they liked what they observed. The man stood taller and straightened his shoulders. Anna adjusted her hat, even though it hadn’t needed it.
The couple stared at each other, not blinking. Lucy had never seen the like. What possessed them to forgo all form of proper manners?
Mr. Barrow stepped forward. “Good day, Miss Ashbrook.”
Lucy clasped her hands together in her lap. If her heart were to beat any more rapid, the organ would surely burst forth from her chest. It was necessary for her to calm herself. She swallowed against dryness in her throat and then managed to utter, “And good day to you.” She glanced at the other man. “Would you be so good as to introduce your friend, Mr. Barrow?”
“Certainly. I’d like for you to meet my friend, Mr. Warner. We… work together here at the Sanctuary.”
Lucy smiled. “Delighted.”
“Mr. Warner, I'm honored to present Miss Ashbrook.”
Mr. Warner nodded and smiled. “Delighted as well, Miss Ashbrook.” Turning expectant eyes to Anna, he flexed his fingers at his sides. And waited. Was he nervous to make her acquaintance?
Taking another step nearer to the bench, Mr. Barrow gave a shallow bow in Anna’s direction and waited.
Lucy turned slightly toward Anna. “Mr. Barrow, I’d like you to meet Miss Colbert.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Colbert. Allow me to introduce Mr. Warner.”
Anna nodded but never removed her gaze from Mr. Warner. Mr. Warner focused on Anna, even leaning a little forward. To see her better?
A blush stained Anna’s cheeks and she fluttered her eyelashes. Was the maid flirting? “I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Warner.”
Mr. Barrow tapped his friend on the shoulder. Mr. Warner glanced at him, nodded, and looked again at the new object of his interest. “Miss Colbert, perhaps I could interest you in a stroll about the Sanctuary?”
“Oh, how lovely. But…” She bit her lip and caught Lucy’s eye. “I’m supposed to be… that is, I need to…”
“Perhaps we could all take that stroll. Together?” Mr. Barrow wasn’t looking at Anna. His eyes, those glorious brown, warm eyes, rested on Lucy.
The two couples, older in front, younger lagging behind, strolled about the Sanctuary. Lucy kept her voice low. “Thank you.”
Mr. Barrow turned his head. “For?”
“It was sweet of you to introduce Mr. Warner to Anna.”
“The way I see it, now I can get better acquainted with you.”
Warmth rose to Lucy’s cheeks. “Oh.” He wants to be better acquainted!
He reached for her arm, giving her a slight touch, and then lowered his hand. She stopped on the path. Leaning closer, he whispered. “Perhaps they would like to become better acquainted as well.”
Anna and Mr. Warner walked along the path, quite close to one another. As close as two people could walk side by side without physically touching.
“Yes.” She smiled. “I believe you are right.”
“Do you think they would notice if we rested here for a time?” He pointed toward a bench nestled beneath a large tree.
Another glance at Anna and her new friend showed them still walking. Mr. Warner had placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. “No, I don’t think they would notice if a thunderstorm crashed about them.”
Lucy settled on the bench and laid her reticule on the seat between them. That, at least, would give a little space and would hopefully stave off any talk of impropriety of the few other groups of people who walked about the Sanctuary.
Chiff-chaff! Chiff-chaff!
Startled, Lucy jumped. “Goodness, what was that?”
Grinning, Mr. Barrow pointed above them. “Surprisingly enough, it’s called a chiff-chaff. One of a few birds who actually says its own name.”
She tilted back her head to better see the bird a few feet above them. A small songbird perched on a spindly branch. Its head and wings were brown and its belly was yellow.
“How can such a small being have such a big voice?”
“It’s amazing, isn’t it? Their whole inside must be lungs.”
She giggled and lowered her gaze. And gasped. How had her hand gotten on his arm? Yanking her hand away, her face heated. Again. Mr. Barrow would surely think she spent half of her time in a full blush. Had that seemed rude when she’d pulled her hand away? She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. “Well… what do these birds — chiff-chaffs — eat?”
A smile as bright as the sunshine lit Mr. Barrow’s face. The wonderful di
mple again made an appearance. He must delight in discussing the birds. It seemed she could not have asked a better question to ease any discomfort between them after yanking her hand away.
“The chiff-chaff’s main diet is insects.”
“Hmm. That doesn’t sound appealing.” She scrunched her nose.
Laughing, he shook his head. “Not to us it wouldn’t. However, they love it. And their favorite? Are flies.”
She grimaced. “How detestable.”
“I agree. To them, though, it’s like the sweetest honey.”
“That’s hard to imagine.” A few seconds went by. She didn’t want their conversation to end. “What else can you tell me about these birds, Mr. Barrow?”
He paused. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Of course. Is there something special, something unique about them?”
His face reddened. What could be so bad that he might be embarrassed to say it? “I… they… you see, chiff-chaff… when they return for their second, um, breeding season there is no recognition of the mate they had before. It’s quite sad, really.”
She swallowed. “I… see. Yes, that is sad.”
“On a brighter note, while the, uh, couple is together for a season, there is never any polygamy.”
“Ah…” Her breath caught in her throat. Thoughts of that… Doing that… brought images of Mr. Barrow wrapping her in his muscular arms and pulling her close… so close she could smell mint on his breath, his lips touching hers, first lightly… then more pressure, until—
“…Miss Ashbrook?”
“Wh-what?”
“I asked if you were well.”
“Oh. Yes. I’m… quite well.” Reaching into her reticule, she grabbed her fan. “It’s… hot today, is it not?”
He ran his finger inside of his collar. “Yes. Quite… quite hot.” He looked away. “Perhaps you would like to continue our walk?
She jumped up from the bench as if sitting on hot coals. “Yes! Um, yes, that would be nice. Thank you.”
There was no sound save their footsteps on the path and the twitters and chirps of nearby birds. Lucy wished the day could go on forever. But she’d only just met this man yesterday. Why did it seem as if she’d always known him? While at the same time, as though she had been searching for him the whole of her years? Was this what her mother felt for her father? They had such a wonderful, caring marriage. Did they begin their courtship like this? Father had indicated it took them years to fall in love. But had there been something that sparked an immediate interest between them?
Courtship. She was getting ahead of herself. They were newly acquainted. And even though she cared not a whit, her father would not approve of her relationship with a common laborer. He’d always made it known that she would marry someone of her own station or higher.
As much as she admired and was attracted to Mr. Barrow, they could never be more than friends. A deep, stirring sadness wrapped around her heart. Just when she’d found a man who brought out in her a longing so deep, so profound, that if he asked for her hand this day, she would agree, it could not happen because of her wealth. And his lack thereof.
Life was not fair.
“Lucy? Come here, dear.” Anna was waving her over to the pond. She and Mr. Warner appeared content in each other’s company. If they chose to someday be a couple, to marry, society would not bat an eye. Because they were both of the working class.
But Mr. Barrow…
It would do her no good to dwell on it. The problem would not resolve itself. Could never resolve itself. So if friendship was all she could have with him, friends they would indeed be.
“Coming, Anna.”
She and Mr. Barrow walked toward the pond. Was he disappointed their private talk had ended? Lucy certainly was. They reached Anna and Mr. Warner. Why did they want to meet at the pond? Warmth spread through her as Mr. Barrow lightly guided her across the grass with his hand at the small of her back. Oh, to have him touch her hand and face as well.
The older couple stood side by side, shoulders touching, as if hiding something behind them. What in the world?
A growing sense of unease crept over Lucy. Had someone fallen in the pond? Or had a poor bird come to its demise? But why would Anna wish her to see something like that?
Then they stepped apart. Lucy’s unease turned to mirth. Mr. Barrow, standing at her side, chuckled.
Anna pointed behind her. “Lucy, pardon me, but is that goose wearing… your hat?”
Chapter Five
Three weeks later
Conrad Croome hurried from his carriage to the Ashbrook home. Why had he received a note from Lucy’s father? Marked as urgent? Had something happened to Lucy? If he didn’t convince her to marry him, he’d lose out on her inheritance. And he had plans for that money. Big plans! The wait was unbearable. Something had better happen quickly, or else.
Before he’d even raised his hand to knock on the door, it opened. Alfred, the butler, stood ramrod straight in the doorway.
“Alfred, I received a message from—”
“Yes, my lord. He’s waiting for you in his study.”
Without thanking the other man, Conrad rushed to the second door on the right. He knocked.
“Come in.”
Opening the door, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Has Ashbrook finally convinced Lucy to marry me? Or has he given in to his daughter’s wishes, as he always does.
“Lofton, Have a seat.”
“Certainly, Jeffrey.”
Ashbrook bristled. “You received my message.”
“Yes.”
“It has come to my attention that you may have competition.”
“Pardon?”
“For Lucy’s hand.”
“But… she didn’t choose any of her prospective suitors from her season.” Thank goodness. “And so far has declined my proposal.” He glanced down and flicked a tiny piece of lint from his coat. “But may I remind you that you’ve yet to uphold your end of our bargain?”
“There’s someone else. Someone new.”
Conrad frowned. Anger built up in his chest, threatening to burst through his ribs. He clenched his jaw and his fists. “But who? I know everyone of our circle, and Lucy—”
“It’s not someone with whom we are familiar. I know nothing about the man. I’ve not heard his name before.”
“Then…”
“He’s someone she met at the Regent’s Park Bird Sanctuary.”
“She told you this?”
“No. Of course not. I… overheard her speaking to Anna, who coincidentally, seems to have found a love interest as well. Those two have been visiting that blasted Sanctuary several times a week.”
Conrad’s heart raced as panic set it. Couldn’t Ashbrook control his own daughter? And why haven’t I been able to convince her to marry me? Lucy is not that bright, after all. “Anna, that old… uh.” He coughed. “So, what do you suggest? I’m running out of patience to marry Lucy. If you don’t do something soon, I will expose your dealings with Proust to—”
“I suggest you get yourself to the Bird Sanctuary the very next time Lucy and Anna go. I’ve already told Lucy that she should be chaperoned by Anna or by the both of you.”
“That was smart thinking, Jeffrey. Brilliant, if I may say.”
Ashbrook raised an eyebrow. “Indeed.”
“I shall do as you say, as long as it gets me what I want. How will I know when they are to go?”
“I’ll have Alfred keep his ears open. When he hears they are going, he’ll let me know and you’ll receive another message. Although by the way they spoke, they’re anxious to return. I expect them to visit again tomorrow.”
Ashbrook lowered his gaze to papers spread across his desk. Conrad had been in the older man’s presence enough to know that their meeting had concluded.
Leaving the house, he reached in his pocket for his handkerchief. He wiped perspiration from his brow. How could this have happened? He’d not pushed Lucy overly
much because he didn’t think there was another man who had an interest in her. Now, though… he’d need to increase the pressure. He would not let some other man steal what was rightfully his.
He would not!
~~~~
Lucy hurried through her toilette, anxious to get to the Sanctuary. Her only qualm was that she was keeping Mr. Barrow from his work. She’d hate it if he lost his position because of her. Something about him, though, kept drawing her back. As if a magnet’s force pulled her to him.
She’d only known him a few weeks, yet every time she saw him, every time she heard his deep voice, smooth as honey, or sat close enough so the heat from his body warmed her, she felt whole. But on the days she didn’t see him, those endless, gloomy stretches of time when they were apart, Lucy couldn’t eat, didn’t sleep, and roamed about the house as aimlessly as a leaf caught in a mild breeze.
A knock sounded. Her door opened. Anna stood in the open doorway, a huge grin spread across her face. “Prepared to depart?”
Well this is a new development. Normally, Lucy had to wait for Anna to get ready. She must be in a rush to see Mr. Warner. “Yes, let me put on my hat and we can go.”
Anna waved a hand in her direction. “You can put on your hat in the carriage, dear.” She tugged on Lucy’s arm.
“Anna! What’s gotten into you?”
Her maid stopped tugging and instead patted Lucy’s arm. “The same thing that’s gotten into you, I imagine.”
Heat spread from Lucy’s neck, up her cheeks, and even to her ears. “Well…”
“You seem fond of Mr. Barrow.”
Lucy nodded.
“But what of your father? What will he say?”
“That there would be no future with him because he is of a different class with little money.”
Anna tilted her head. “I’m going to guess that you think he’s worth fighting for.”
Lucy shrugged. What was there to say? Father would have an apoplexy when he found out.
“Am I wrong?”
“I do think so, even though it goes against everything I’ve been brought up to value. But, no, you’re not wrong.”
She chuckled. “Because I’m right. I’m always right.”
Love Birds: The Complete Collection Page 4