The Girl is Not For Christmas - Emma V Leech Page 0,20

him?” King guessed with a smile. Well, good for her. He could not help but feel a burst of fellow feeling for someone standing strong against being forced into a marriage they did not want.

“Not only won’t have him, despises him. Told her brother she’d leave rather than marry Mr Skewes, and would no longer speak to him if he mentioned it ever again.”

A bark of laughter left King as he imagined her icy response to Boscawen’s interference in her life. He could see her now, looking down her nose at Charlie, regarding him as though he’d crawled out of cheese.

“What’s her objection? Is he fat? Old?”

Walsh shook his head. “According to Gelly—that’s the cook here—he’s a good-looking fellow, few years your junior. Got money, too, and a fine house.”

For no earthly reason he could think of, King felt a burst of irritation at that description. Perhaps it had been the ‘few years your junior’ comment, or that the fellow had money. “Then why won’t she have him?”

Walsh rolled his eyes. “Supposing you ask her?”

King returned the expression. “Ah yes, I can imagine the reception I’d receive if I posed such a question to Miss Prissy Penrose. Christ, she’d bite my head off for my impertinence.”

“Shouldn’t blame her none, either,” Walsh said, chuckling.

King sighed and settled back against the pillows.

“Well, anyway, it’s only a family squabble, nothing to worry about.” He sat forward again, as Walsh’s expression was not a restful one. “What?”

“Gelly reckons it’s only Miss Penrose what holds this family together, not that Boscawen and his lady recognise it, but your old mate is close to bankruptcy. I reckon young missy has to marry that fellow, or at least one with a few quid, or they’ll all be in the basket.”

King gave a despairing groan. “And what do you propose I do about it? All I need is a quiet place with no booze and no temptation for a few weeks, while I get myself together. I have no desire to land myself in the middle of a family dispute.”

Walsh leaned back against the chest of drawers and folded his arms. “Well, you’re ’ere, in the house, so you are in the middle, like it or no. May as well meddle a bit if it’ll get you the peace and quiet you need. Boscawen is bound to be grateful. I mean, you could have a little chat with her, and maybe you could meet the fellow what wants to marry her too, see what he’s like. If he’s a nice fellow, p’rhaps you could talk the lady round. Lord knows you can talk ’em out of their petticoats when the mood takes you.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere,” King grumbled. “I’m hardly in a state to persuade Miss Penrose of anything. Besides which, she quite clearly despises me.”

“A challenge for you, then. You always used to like the tricky ones the most.”

He narrowed his eyes at Walsh with suspicion, wondering if he was up to something, but the man just returned a blank, innocent expression. King sighed. “God, you’re annoying. I can’t think why I keep you around.”

“Can’t think why I stay, neither,” Walsh remarked with a grin. “I’ll fetch some hot water.”

The devil sauntered off with a smug expression.

King closed his eyes and let out a heartfelt curse. “Bloody, buggering hell.”

Once he was suitably shaved and attired, King forced his aching limbs down the stairs only to discover Miss Penrose was not in the house. It seemed best to approach her first and get the lie of the land, as he wasn’t gallivanting about the countryside looking for Mr Skewes in this weather. He regarded the sombre grey clouds outside with misgiving. It had poured all morning and looked as if it was set to come down again any time now. Well, he’d have a quick stroll around the garden and, if she wasn’t there, he’d try again later.

Livvy dragged her sodden skirts back along the path that led to the gardens. She was still holding the key, her fingers curled about it and blue with cold. Not that she was going to visit her little project now. She didn’t have the heart for it. Every time she remembered her row with Charlie, her heart ached anew. She had trusted him. He was a silly fellow at times, and drove her nearly distracted, but she’d believed he loved her, believed he would put her happiness before any financial gain. He’d betrayed her. Though he did not understand her