But rather than doing as she bade, he pulled her closer to him. As he leaned in close, she closed her eyes and turned her head to keep him from kissing her.
Then Mr. Venter cried out in pain, and Louisa landed on her backside after he abruptly released her. When she opened her eyes, the tailor’s nephew was lying on the ground, a figure standing menacingly above him.
ChapterSeventeen
The idea of being lonely was foreign to Aaron, for he had never carried that burden. Yet a week of not being in Miss Dunston’s company gave him a sense of longing he had heard described by others. Yet that was not why the feeling was odd.
The fact was Miss Dunston was a strange young lady, flirtatious with a head full of scandalous ideas. Women being educated like men? Preposterous!
Despite all her faults, however, he found that he did admire her. And they did share some commonalities. They both had a love for dogs and the ability to dream. And they were both blessed with handsome features. Beyond those few similarities, however, he could not think of a single commonality that indicated they could be more than simple acquaintances.
Granted, he could admire her beauty all day. And when he had confessed his dreams to her, a spark had ignited between them. A bond of sorts had formed, and he wished to see it grow. If he so chose, he could pursue her.
But did he want to be mixed in with the kind of trouble she offered? After all, she had a fiery temper, which would make her a difficult wife. Men who saddled themselves with disagreeable wives deserved their lots. Each time he considered calling on Miss Dunston, he remembered how irksome she could be, and he was cured of that thought. Even the three letters he had written her had been ripped in half and tossed into the fire before they were posted. All they did was make him look weak.
No, the girl had to come to her senses on her own and realize the mistake she had made. He was a handsome knight and therefore the best man for her. After all, if he had to choose the woman for him, he would pick her. After she recognized her wrongdoing, of course.
As the carriage trundled down the road, Aaron closed his eyes and pictured himself at Hearsely Estate. Miss Dunston had just arrived.
“Sir Aaron,” she would say, her head hanging low, “I don’t know what came over me when I last was here, but my actions were half-witted and unreasonable.”
He placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face. Gazing into her blue eyes, he sighed. “Don’t be ashamed, Miss Dunston. Women are prone to outrageous bursts of nonsense from time to time. If you’re ready, I’ll teach you.”
They would be in his study as he lectured her on the finest points of business, Miss Dunston watching him in awe.
“Your brilliance is matched only by your handsomeness!” she would exclaim. And because she had recognized and commended him on his abilities, he would reward her with another kiss.
“Sir?”
Aaron started and his eyes flew open. Claremont was five years younger than Aaron with orange-red hair and so many freckles he looked as if he had tanned while wearing a net.
“Sorry, sir. Din’t mean to wake ya, but we’ve arrived.”
“I wasn’t asleep,” Aaron snapped. “Just resting my eyes.”
“Yes, sir. If you say so, sir.”
Clearing his throat, Aaron exited the vehicle, his eyes falling immediately on the front door of the theater. “I may be awhile, Claremont. If you’d like to get yourself something to eat, you may. Just be back here within the hour in case I’m ready to leave.”
The man bowed. “Thank ya, sir. I won’t be gone long.”
Although he had given his word to keep away from anything to do with the purchase of the theater, Aaron had decided to break that promise again. After all, Miss Dunston was not a business rival, not in the true sense of the phrase. She would have to be a man to be a rival. Therefore, not only had he secured an appointment with Mr. Barker next Wednesday, but he had also found another gentleman willing to invest in the gentlemen’s club.
Mr. Walter Bolt was a wealthy merchant who dealt in linen. He was a recent arrival to Chatsworth just as Aaron was, which created an immediate bond between the two men.
As Aaron approached the theater doors, a young boy no older than ten with a dirty face squinted up at him. “Mr. Barker jus’ left,” he said, scratching at the mop of blond hair on his head. “He’s off to ‘is brother’s.”
“Is he?” Aaron asked. “Have you any idea why?”
The boy shrugged. “Said somethin’ to that woman ‘bout needin’ a rest.”
“And what woman was that?”
The youngster’s grin had several missing teeth. “It’ll cost ya a copper if ya wanna know.”
Aaron dug a copper coin from his purse and placed it in the boy’s hand. He had thought Mr. Barker was unmarried, but perhaps he was wrong. Either way, knowing all he could about the man was well worth such a small amount of money.
“Now, what woman?”