“Yes, please.” She walked to the library and then stared at all the books. Unable to hear anything but mumbled voices from the room next door, she pulled out a book. The collection here was nowhere near as extensive as at the estate, but excellent just the same.
She opened the books of herbs and scanned. It appeared to be very old, but fine, resource. Finding a chapter on belladonna, she read through it again until sadness overwhelmed her. If only she’d had this book a year ago. It might have saved that little girl’s life. She flipped a few pages and read the chapter on herbs that helped ease labor pains.
Braden waited for his friends to say something, but they seemed to be dumbstruck by his comment about Tia. Finally, Jack blinked and looked over at Adams, who only shrugged.
“He is obviously lying,” Jack commented.
“I most certainly am not!” Braden exclaimed. “She rejected my proposal.”
“You expect us to believe that a woman who has nothing refused to marry a wealthy, titled gentleman?” Adams folded his arms over his chest.
“Why would I lie about such a thing?” Braden’s irritation grew.
“Because you want us to believe you didn’t break your vow,” Jack said. “A woman like Miss Featherstone would do anything to become your wife.”
“Indeed?” Braden rang the bell for Nelson. “We shall see about that.”
Nelson knocked before entering the room. “Do you need something, my lord?”
Jack sniggered. “I still cannot get used to people calling you ‘my lord.’ ”
“Has Miss Featherstone returned from her walk?” Braden asked, ignoring his annoying friend.
“She has, and is in the library reading. Is there anything else?” Nelson asked quietly.
“No, and thank you, Nelson.” Braden rose from his seat. “I believe we shall now set the record straight. Come along.”
Both men followed him out of the study to the library. Braden paused for a moment and stared at her. Tia’s windblown hair had fallen out of the coiffure, leaving red tendrils framing her face. She appeared so at peace here. He cleared his throat to gain her attention. “Miss Featherstone, my dearest friends have a rather personal question they would like to ask you. Please do not feel you have to answer them if you believe it too delicate.”
She smiled as she turned her head at them. A devilish twinkle entered her eyes. “Well, my lord, it would depend on the nature of the question.”
“It regards a certain proposal of marriage from me.
”
“Indeed? And what would the gentlemen like to know about that subject?”
Jack took a step into the room. “Did he propose marriage to you and then you rejected his offer?”
Braden stared at her for a long moment. She had such a twinkle in her eyes, he wondered if she would tell them the truth.
“If you call being told you would marry a person a ‘proposal,’ then I suppose he did. Personally, I did not feel that was a proper proposal. What do you think?”
Adams stifled a laugh. “She’s starting to grow on me, Middleton.” He turned his attention on Tia and said, “I would to agree with you, Miss Featherstone.”
She smiled, revealing a slight dimple in her right cheek. “Not that it mattered.”
“How so?” Jack asked.
“I would have rejected a proper proposal as quickly as I did an improper one.” Tia’s brow rose.
Jack laughed. “Come now,” he said, walking to the chair across from her. “A wealthy man who happens to be a viscount makes an offer and you would refuse?”
“Yes, I would,” Tia replied. “Why would a man like that want to marry a poor country woman? Now, if love were involved, then I might change my mind. But do you honestly believe a man like Middleton could fall in love with me?”
Adams looked between them both and slowly nodded. “It might be possible.”
Braden stared at his friend. “Why do you sound so surprised?”