Page 45 of Knight of Destiny

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I have, however, mentioned your plans to an acquaintance of mine. Lord Philip Artemus of Hensworth has expressed a great deal of interest in this enterprise of yours and is excited at the prospect of doing business with you, a knight. He would be honored to have you call to his castle tomorrow at noon, where the two of you can discuss this wonderful opportunity without the interference of any ambitious females.

Aaron nearly jumped for joy. A lord who resided in a castle wished to do business with him? He could not have asked for a more agreeable situation!

“Where is Hensworth?”

“Hensworth?” Miss Dunston asked, her eyes wide. “It’s a two-hour journey northeast of Chatsworth by carriage. Why? What is in Hensworth?”

“That is none of your concern,” he said curtly. He folded the document and slid it into his inside coat pocket. “So, you’ve displeased your headmistress, have you?”

“How did you…? Oh. Yes, well, I suppose she said so in her missive. I’ve been assigned to do hard labor in the kitchen for the remainder of the week, and I’m not to leave the school unless… Well, what does it matter?”

“Unless what?”

She heaved a deep, heavy sigh. “Unless you call on me,” she replied with a scowl. “Mrs. Rutley believes I can learn from you. I suppose she’s right in that assessment, but that does not mean I have to like it.”

Aaron was uncertain if his elation came from the meeting with Lord Artemus or this sudden admittance to the truth. As far as he was concerned, it could be either. Or both.

“So, you admit you were wrong concerning men and what they do? You finally understand a woman’s place?”

Miss Dunston gave a sad nod.

“And what about this nonsense with the theater? Are you giving up this ridiculous crusade of yours?”

“Yes, Sir Aaron,” she whispered, her lower lip quivering.

A sudden burst of guilt washed over him. Had he gone too far? Indeed he had if she was on the verge of tears.

“Although I disagree with your willingness to solicit donations, I do admire your passion.” He had said this in hopes of seeing her smile at least once before she left, but the sad frown remained in place. He searched his mind for the right words. What did women wish to hear? “Through all this, Miss Dunston, you’ve retained what is most important. Your beauty.”

With another heavy sigh, Miss Dunston said, “Thank you. After all, that is all that matters to a woman. I’ll bother you no longer.”

Scriven opened the door, and Aaron watched the two young ladies walk through the entryway. Without warning, fear rushed through him. If she left as disconcerted as she was, she might never be willing to see him again. He could not have that.

“Miss Dunston,” he called after her. “When I return from Hensworth, may I call on you? I do enjoy your company.”

“I would love nothing more, sir,” she replied. “Thank you again for showing me the correct path a woman should take. Who knows where I would be today if I continued living as I was?”

Was it his imagination or did her eyes have a mischievous glint to them as she said this?

As the carriage pulled away, he took out the letter and read it over again. Something was amiss, but he could not say what. He did not know Mrs. Rutley’s writing, but he believed the seal was hers.

What he had wished for was that Miss Dunston would stay away from the theater, and now she would. Yet why did he feel dejected? His victory was not as sweet as he had expected.

Then a new thought occurred to him. He was supposed to meet Mr. Barker at the theater tomorrow at noon—the same time he was to meet this Lord Artemus. Clearly, he could not be in two places at one time, but keeping this engagement with Lord Artemus was far more important. He no longer had to concern himself with Miss Dunston getting in his way now that she was restricted to the school. Once this new investor signed a contract, he could return to make Mr. Barker an offer too good to ignore.

Two hours later, he was on his way to Hensworth, intending to stay at an inn. He wanted to be well rested for his meeting.

And at a castle, of all places!

Yet he could not get his mind off Miss Dunston. Was purchasing the building in which resided the theater worth the trouble it was causing them?

What was this love of which she had spoken before?

He denied the idea of love. But if he did, how would he describe the feelings he felt every time he was near her?

* * *

Aaron grimaced at the thin ray of bright sunlight that tried to penetrate his eyelids from the small opening in the curtains. For a moment, he lay wondering where he was. The room was unfamiliar to him.


Tags: Jennifer Monroe Historical