Once Upon a Time in Bath (The Brides of Bath #7) - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,30
second son. He could even take on the name Pankhurst.”
It was a few seconds before the older man responded. Had he offended him? Was something wrong? Then Appleton saw that Mr. Pankhurst must be overcome with emotion. His eyes moistened. “A grandson. A grandson to carry on all I’ve built. My own father would be so proud.”
Appleton had not contemplated having children with Dot, but now the prospect held vast appeal. The more sons, the better! “I should be very proud to enter into a parental partnership with one as . . . as intelligent and as caring as your daughter.” He hadn’t lied. He truly meant what he said. And he hadn’t stretched the truth and professed to be in love with this man’s daughter.
“I believe the two of you will have very fine children, and I give you my blessing. My solicitor will draw up the settlements.”
The meeting had gone as well as Appleton could have hoped. He rose and shook his future father-in-law’s hand. “I’d like to see Dot now, if she’s seeing callers.”
“She’s received another of her lovely dresses, therefore, I believe she’ll be wanting to display herself in it to her betrothed.” Mr. Pankhurst rang for a servant and when the butler came, instructed him to tell the lady that Lord Appleton was calling on Miss Pankhurst.
“Now,” Mr. Pankhurst said, “I’ll let you be alone with your betrothed.”
Unlike his own sisters, who could take hours to make themselves presentable, his affianced came downstairs almost immediately. He could scarcely credit it when she entered the cozy library. It was as if sparkling sunshine burst into the chamber from beyond the scarlet draperies. It was impossible not to be cheerful when confronted with Dot’s perpetual smile.
Miss Dorothea Pankhurst could now hold her own amongst the most fashionable ladies in London’s finest ballrooms. Not that she was overly dressed this afternoon. Was his sister responsible for the perfection of Dot’s new wardrobe? Although he did not consider himself an expert on female clothing, he believed the simple lines of the dress she wore today not only to be in excellent taste, but the dress was also most becoming.
Its stark white dotted with tiny hand-emroidered flowers complemented her dark colouring. Those very dark locks of hers swept back elegantly as if fashioned by an expert stylist.
He’d not previously noticed how very white her teeth were. He supposed the white of the dress accentuated them.
The more he was discovering about Miss Pankhurst, er, Dot, the more he realized he’d done fairly well for himself. He’d been prepared to sacrifice himself for his family, and while he was still denying himself a true love, he realized the tender-hearted Miss . . . Dot had many fine attributes.
Plus a large fortune.
“I am bereft of words to describe your loveliness, my dear Dot.”
She came and offered her hand, and he pressed his lips to it. While he normally only air kissed a woman’s hand, this time his lips actually touched her flesh. It was far more intimate than he’d meant.
Colour rose in her cheeks.
“I am gratified the rain has stopped,” he said.
“As am I.”
They stood motionless.
“I thought perhaps you and I could stroll the city. Now that we are properly betrothed, you won’t need the benefit of a chaperone.” He proffered his arm.
She moved to him. “I should like that very much.”
She went to procure gloves, hat and cape—which he helped to drape around her. Once they were on the pavement, he asked, “Have you been yet to Sydney Gardens?”
“No.”
“It’s probably not the best day because it will be soggy, but the walk will do us good after this wretched rain that’s kept us indoors for so many days.”
“The gardens are on the other side of the River Avon, are they not?”
“Yes, but everything’s close in Bath. So different than London.”
“I would love to see London one day.”
“I’ll take you there after we’re married.”
“Do you have a house there?”
He shook his head. “No. Just the one here in Bath and the family seat in Shropshire.”
“What is it called?”
“Hawthorne Manor.”
“And when you’re in London, where do you stay?”
“As close to Westminster as possible. The Appletons have always let houses there for the Parliamentary season.”
“You’ll serve?”
“I’ve been putting it off. My brother did and my father before him.” He drew a breath. “It’s my duty. None of my friends serve. I’ve been trying to persuade Sir Elvin to stand for the House of Commons. He can afford to.”