“I am certain Phineas would wish to see you off, but he is dealing with some issue at present—”
“The drainage project?” asked Finch. “Or is it the investment he’s looking at making with Barlow and Styles? He and Father have been debating the merits of different commodities, and I fear they may invest too much in one venture, leaving the family’s finances dependent on a single investment.”
Annette wrinkled her nose. “Whyever would I know that? Phineas has been taking on more responsibility for the estate of late, and I cannot keep up with all that nonsense. But Jack, can you not wait until luncheon to leave? Then we can have a meal together and see you off properly. I am certain he would like to bid you farewell.”
Finch smiled at his sister-in-law and muted the disbelief that threatened to show in his gaze, for his eldest brother never bothered to see him off, and Finch doubted that tradition had altered today.
“I appreciate the sentiment, Annette, but I cannot miss the coach at Brighton.”
With a furrowed brow she blinked at him. “Surely they can wait an hour. It would not be such a terrible inconvenience.”
Finch coughed to cover a snort and cleared his throat. “Public coaches have a schedule and cannot deviate from it.”
Annette’s brow pinched all the more as she tried to comprehend, but as the lady had never used public transport, the concept was as foreign as if he’d spoken in German. Finch wondered what she would say if she knew he was not even granted a seat inside the coach but forced to take a seat up top. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of the frigid cold that awaited him—even with the extra woolen layers he had packed in his valise.
“Then I suppose there is nothing more than to wish you Godspeed, dear brother-in-law,” said Annette, giving him a kiss on the cheek and a smile before striding off towards her sitting room.
“Until my next visit,” he mumbled, casting one last look around the halls he’d explored in his childhood. At times, it was difficult to believe that over two decades had passed since he’d called this building home. At others, the memories felt as though they belonged to some other Lewis Finch who’d lived eons ago. What would the Finch of the past say if he could see himself now?
Shaking aside such melancholy thoughts, Finch went in search of Rodgers. The sooner the butler called for the horses to be readied, the sooner Finch would be on his way to Essex.
Chapter 4
Essex
Two Days Later
There was nothing lovelier on a winter’s day than a thick layer of fresh snow; seeing those plump flakes flittering down from the thick clouds, coating everything in their pristine white, was divine. But this year, Mina Kingsley far preferred barren ground. Though the world was awash in those dread muddy browns and greys, it meant the roads were clear and she could enjoy an outing with her dear Simon.
Winter had curtailed many of their morning rides, and Mina missed those stolen moments when the pair of them had galloped across the fields atop their mounts, the wind rushing by. But the roads had cleared enough to take their curricle out, which was nearly as wonderful as riding.
Simon sat beside her, his hands grasping the reins as he guided the horses along the country roads. While her husband’s attention was on driving, Mina examined his profile. The unnatural bend to his nose was more pronounced at this angle, and she felt a strong desire to kiss it. Whoever thought a straight nose handsome was a fool.
“You are staring at me, woman,” he said with a mock growl, his dark gaze slanting towards her.
“I am appreciating the view,” she replied with a grin, though Mina had no idea what possessed her to say such silly things to him.
“Unfortunately, I have to keep my attention on the road, or I would do the same.” The corners of Simon’s lips curled upwards. “I’ve missed our rides together.”
“I have as well,” said Mina as a wicked thought entered her mind. Without bothering to question it, she followed the prompting and slid closer to him on the seat. “But there are some benefits to this arrangement that we cannot achieve while in the saddle.”
Leaning into him, Mina shifted the blankets around them and feathered a kiss on his jaw, just above the edge of his scarf.