Love Birds: The Complete Collection Page 3

  Adorable.

  He could envision spending more time getting to know her. Would she be at the Sanctuary again soon? Since Oliver was there most days, he’d know soon enough. Now that he’d met her, and knew where she enjoyed sitting to watch the birds, he’d keep a careful watch for her visits.

  But her attire and speech indicated she was well off. Would she be like all the others? Only putting value on material possessions and money?

  Time would tell.

  But perhaps… perhaps he could put it to a test, so to speak. She’d only seen him in his work clothes, as opposed to what he wore when not at the Sanctuary. So she had no idea that he wasn’t a regular worker there. Would it be possible for them to get further acquainted without her knowing how well off he and his father were?

  That would be the only way to know for sure if Miss Ashbrook was as genuine as she seemed. And it was the only way for Oliver to know if she was different from all the rest.

  ~~~~

  Lucy climbed from the carriage with the groom’s assistance. She hurried toward the house, reaching the door as the butler opened it.

  “Good day, Miss Ashbrook.”

  “Good day, Alfred. Is Father about?”

  “He’s in his study, miss.”

  “Thank you.”

  Lucy peeled off her gloves as she stepped toward her father’s private sanctuary. Knocking lightly on the door, she couldn’t wait to show him her latest drawing. She could see an improvement in her work. Would he notice? Would he even care?

  “Come in.”

  Father always sounded gruff… until he discovered it was Lucy. Then his whole demeanor softened. At least, as much as he could ever soften. He said it was because she reminded him so much of Mother, gone these last several years.

  The door pushed open with a squeak. Lucy inhaled, loving the aromas of wood, leather, and her father’s pipe. She laid her gloves, drawing, and reticule on the settee and waited for her father to notice her.

  He sat at his giant desk, a frown marring his ruddy face, pouring over something or other on papers beneath his hand. She tapped one boot lightly on the floor. That should do it. For some strange reason, her father could ignore a clap of thunder or a loud bark of a dog, but a sound as quiet as a whisper grasped his attention.

  He sat up straight, eyebrows raised. “Ah, Lucy. How’s my little girl?”

  “I’m well. I’ve been to the Bird Sanctuary, again, Father. It’s such a lovely place.” She sighed. Memories of not only the scenery of the Sanctuary, but one worker in particular made her smile. His dark eyes and hair, broad shoulders. And chivalry, as he’d dived into the pond to save her hat.

  Her father eyed her discarded gloves and reticule and then narrowed his eyes at her. “Surely, child, you weren’t without a hat? Didn’t I see you with your new white one on earlier today?”

  Heat crept up Lucy’s cheeks. “Yes, Father. I did have it, but—”

  “But what? Did you come upon a wanton hat thief at the Sanctuary?” He chuckled, his voice loud and deep.

  “In a manner of speaking.” She stepped closer to the desk.

  “What’s that you say? A thief?”

  “I’m afraid so. A very large, loud thief.”

  Her father’s eyes widened. “You were accosted? Where was Anna? Wasn’t she with you? ”

  Lucy bit her lip against the giggle threatening to emerge. “I’m afraid Anna wouldn’t have been able to protect me from this particular thief, Father.”

  “And why should that be? She can be quite ferocious when it concerns you, you know. As a mother lion to her cub.”

  “True, that. But this… perpetrator was vicious. With a frightening holler and a mean look to the eye.”

  “We must call the magistrate at once! Where’s Alfred? Get me Alfred!”

  “No. I’m afraid this thief is out of the magistrate’s realm. You see, this particular thief was wearing all grey.”

  “Grey? And you found this color frightening?”

  “And had a very large proboscis. Even bigger than Aunt Greta’s nose.”

  “You don’t say. Must have been quite the sight.”

  “And he was covered in…”

  Her father sat forward, leaning his forearms on the desk. “Yes. Go on. Covered in…”

  She clasped her hands in front of her. “Feathers.”

  “But… I… wait. Feathers? Why would he be…?” He grinned. “Ah… you did say you were at the Bird Sanctuary, did you not?”

  She nodded.

  “So this heinous hat thief was none other than…”

  “A goose.”

  Her father threw he head back and roared with laughter. So loud the lantern on his desk rattled.

  A hard rap on the door preceded Alfred. “Mr. Ashbrook? Are you ill? I thought I heard… uh… bellowing.”

  Lucy’s father wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. “Quite fine, Alfred. Just sharing a humorous moment with my girl, here.”

  Alfred’s face reddened. With wide eyes, he backed toward the door. “A million pardons, Mr. Ashbrook.”

  “Think nothing of it, Alfred. But it’s good to know you can move so quickly when possible mayhem is occurring.”

  “Yes. Very good, sir.” Alfred darted through the doorway and closed the door behind him.

  Lucy sat on the settee, pushing aside her gloves and reticule. Would now be a good time to show him her drawing? But there was always the chance he would make fun of her efforts. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d hurt her feelings with insensitive remarks.

  Her father dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief again. He then folded his hands and waited. Lucy narrowed her eyes. Oh no. He only did that when he had something to discuss. Letting out a sigh, Lucy smiled.

  And waited, as well.

  She could out-stare him and he knew it.

  Several seconds passed. Her father drummed his fingers on the desk. He coughed. And waited some more. Lucy pressed her lips together, desperately trying not to giggle. She gave him ten more seconds. Crossing her arms, she tapped her fingers on her upper arm.

  In three… two… one…

  “All right, Lucy. You win.”

  “And just what did I win, Father?”

  “You know I have something to say to you.”

  “Yes. I know.”

  “So why didn’t you simply ask what it was?”

  “Because it vexes you to have to wait.”

  “Yes, I’ve said it before. You are your mother all over again.”

  “And that’s a good thing, correct?”

  “Correct.” Drumming his fingers again, he cleared his throat. “I’m glad you had a pleasant time at the Bird Sanctuary. And even more pleased that you weren’t injured when accosted by that… goose.”

  Lucy laughed. But her father had stopped smiling. Hmm. “Oh, excuse me, Father. Please continue.”

  “Yes, well, I know you aren’t fond of being chaperoned, but you really must take Anna with you from now on.”

  “But, Father, I’m getting older. It’s so confining to have to have someone with me all the time. I feel like a child.” The urge to stomp her foot was strong, but that would only have proven him correct.

  “Nevertheless, you must be chaperoned. It simply won’t do for you to be prancing about London on your own.”

  “But I wasn’t alone. I had Carlton with me. He was… nearby.” She was not going to tell her father that once she was by the pond, she was out of sight of the gate and therefore Carlton.”

  “Be that as it may, Lucy, from now on, you will not go anywhere without Anna. I don’t want any daughter of mine being labeled as a hoyden, scampering about the city on her own.”

  Lucy raised an eyebrow. “First I’m prancing, then I’m scampering? Really, Father…”

  “Either you must be accompanied by Anna, or Anna and Conrad.”

  A shudder coursed through her. “Conrad Croome may just sit in his mansion twiddling his thumbs for all I care.”

&nbs
p; “But he wishes to marry you.” He tapped his quill on the desk.

  Oh yes, how well she knew. Conrad had been after her since her coming out. She’d tried to let him down gently. At first. She'd danced with him, but only once, at each dance, reminding him that it wouldn’t be proper to ignore the other gentlemen who’d asked for a spin about the ballroom floor. Had entertained him in the parlor when he came to visit the morning after each and every dance. And when he’d asked for her hand, she’d politely, gently said no each and every time, the number of which she’d lost count.

  After that, though, he’d seemed to appear on her doorstep at least once a week. Every time it was the same. The butler would admit him, show him to the parlor, and then announce to Lucy that she had a caller.

  And every time she reached the parlor and saw that it was him… him with the icy blue eyes and pale, almost translucent skin, the clammy feel of his perspiration-soaked glove when he would take her hand for a kiss… every time she had to even be near the putrid, repulsive man with the foul breath, she nearly fainted.

  Though she told him no, though she made it quite clear she had no interest nor would she ever, he continued to call on her. Lucy frowned. Father had always respected her wishes in the past but seemed to be softening toward Conrad. Why?

  “I care not for him.”

  “Lucy, you’re two and twenty. Soon you’ll be too old and no one will want you. You must marry soon. In fact, I insist that you do.”

  Lucy frowned. “But that’s not a reason to marry him.”

  As disturbing as it was that she must share a small space with Conrad in the parlor and breathe his nauseating stench when he called, even more was the unanswered, perplexing question of why he still pursued her. The man was an earl. Surely there were desperate debutantes clamoring for someone of his title?

  “His father and I were long acquainted. Transacting business together for years before he died.” Father’s faced reddened. Was that perspiration on his brow?

  She narrowed her eyes. “Is that the whole of the purpose for me to wed Conrad? To aid in our family’s business?”

  He had the decency to avert his glance. And shrugged. “But what of the suitors who wished to court you after your season? What of them? Was there not one among them who would do?”

  “Father, those men were immature and crass. Thinking only of their own wealth and how much more they could accumulate by marrying me. Conrad fits into that category very well, I might add.”

  “But if you do not marry someone soon, you’ll be living here. With me. For the rest of your life.”

  Lucy held out her hand, palm up. “Would that truly be so awful, Father?”

  “That’s not what I meant. Not at all. My point is that it wouldn’t be what was best for you. Don’t you desire your own home? Marriage? Children?”

  “Of course I desire those things. But not with the men from my season. And not with Conrad. Never with Conrad.” She glanced out a nearby window, as if speaking of the horrid man in question would cause him to appear.

  “He really isn’t all that bad, now is he? You’ve known him for years. He’s made no secret of the fact that he’d like to marry you.”

  “I don’t love him.” She ran her fingers across the arm of the settee.

  “Love? That’s what you’re worried about?”

  “Yes. Of course. If I’m to spend the rest of my life with someone, it needs to be for love.”

  “Lucy… Lucy. I’m afraid life doesn’t always work that way.”

  “But you and Mother loved each other.”

  “Yes. After a time. But when we met, it wasn’t so. It took years before we… had fondness for each other.”

  “I don’t desire to marry someone I have to learn to love. I simply want to love. And be loved.”

  Thoughts, even fleeting, of marrying Conrad, of having him kiss her, touch her… Her whole body chilled, not unlike the most frigid day in December.

  But Mr. Barrow… Everything about him was pleasant. And seemed to bring about a warmth that started in her core and spread outward until she felt wrapped in a embrace at just the sight of him.

  Her father sighed. “We’ve gotten off of our original subject. And don’t think I don’t know you did that on purpose. When you go out, you must be chaperoned. I insist on this, Lucy. Are we clear?” He lowered his eyebrows, a sure sign he wouldn’t budge on the issue. It would do no good to argue further.

  Drat.

  Sighing, she nodded. “Yes, Father.”

  “Very good. I’m doing this for your own good. You know that, don’t you?”

  He frowned. How was she to argue further with him when he did that? His gruff countenance resembled a bulldog in pain. “Yes, Father, I understand.” Walking around to his chair, she bent and placed a light kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll let you get back to work now.”

  “There’s a good girl.” He waved her toward the door and bent over his task again. There was nothing to do now but leave him to his work.

  A good girl. That‘s what everyone would think. Would a man, the right man, ever see her as more than her father’s little girl?

  Chapter Four

  Lucy was determined to visit the Bird Sanctuary. And if that meant Anna tagging along, so be it. If only the older woman didn’t dawdle so. She took forever to decide what Lucy should wear.

  Covering her mouth, Lucy stifled a yawn. She’d lost nearly a whole night’s sleep thinking about her father’s plans for her to marry Conrad. If only Mother were there. Surely she would have been able to convince him otherwise.

  “Anna, I’m quite sure what I’m wearing will be just fine. I’m not attending a ball.”

  “You must be presentable at all times. You never know when you might come in contact with someone who will one day be of importance to you.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes. It was always the same. Anna was sure the right man was waiting just around the next corner, ready to profess undying love and hopes of marriage.

  If that were true, Anna herself would have been married many, many years ago. Instead, she was a spinster of fifty and five. And if the older woman had hopes that Lucy would soon find a match, it would be so much easier if Lucy were given some freedom. Having her maid nearly attached to her at the hip when away from the house made it rather unlikely that a man would have a chance to strike up a conversation, much less make mad passionate love to her.

  Hence her reason for sneaking away to the Bird Sanctuary the day before without Anna’s knowledge. Anna’s predictable morning nap made it possible. Now, though, Lucy’s father was on the scent, and would make sure Anna went everywhere that Lucy did.

  Bother.

  A green hat was thrust at her. Lucy tugged it from Anna’s hand. “I’m already wearing a hat.”

  “But this one has pretty feathers.”

  “Yes, that is a true statement. However, I’m wearing a blue dress. Hence, the blue hat on my head.”

  “But…” Anna frowned. “Your dress appears green to me.”

  Lucy smiled and patted Anna on the shoulder. Her maid seemed to have a problem with colors. Perhaps that was why she was dressed in a pink dress, blue shawl, and lavender hat. “Anna, I think we are both quite fetching. And I’m looking forward to sketching some more birds. Are we ready to proceed?”

  Anna shrugged. “As you wish. I’m only trying to help you appear your best.”

  “And I appreciate it. I certainly do.” She put her arm around Anna’s pudgy shoulders as she steered her toward the door and out to the carriage.

  What Lucy’s father had said was true. Anna would protect her as a lioness with her cubs. The woman’s parasol could transform into a weapon in a snap. If only she’d let Lucy out of her sight every now and again. Perhaps then she’d have an opportunity to converse with some interesting fellow.

  Or perhaps one particular interesting fellow.

  One who went after a hat-stealing goose who’d taken to the water.

  Lucy bit he
r lip. Would Mr. Barrow be at the Bird Sanctuary again? And would they have another chance to chat? She glanced at her maid, beside her on the carriage seat. There must be a way to entice Anna to find an interest other than constantly protecting her.

  A large brown bird darted past the window and in front of the carriage, causing Carlton to swear and the horses to whinny.

  “My goodness. Someone should teach that man some manners. Such language!” Anna leaned toward the window as another brown bird flew past. “Lucy, do you happen to know what type of bird that is?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “But you seem so interested in birds. And you’ve been visiting the Sanctuary.”

  “True, but I don’t know what all of them are yet.”

  “Perhaps there is someone there you could ask.”

  “Well, Mr. Barrow—” Oh no.

  “Yes, dear? And who might that be?”

  “Ah… just someone who… works there.”

  “Really? I don’t recall meeting anyone by that name at the Sanctuary.”

  Lucy twisted her hands together in her lap. “Well…”

  “When did you meet this man?”

  “I…”

  “Lucy?”

  “Yes?”

  “Have you been sneaking out of the house again?”

  “Anna, please don’t lecture me. Father already did that.”

  “Very well. I’m only looking out for you, since you don’t have your mother here to guide you.” She sighed. “But if you don’t stop this unruly behavior, no man will have you.”

  And if you don’t stop clinging to me like a summer vine, I’ll not have a chance to meet a man. But Lucy had no wish to hurt Anna’s feelings. She patted her hand. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right.”

  “Of course I’m right. I’m always right.”

  A smile tugged at Lucy’s lips. Some things never changed.

  The carriage pulled up to the gate. The groom opened the carriage door and assisted the women out.

  She turned toward the driver. “Carlton, would you wait just down the lane a bit? We’ll be here for a little while.”