Chapter Seven

 

Johnathan stared after Miss Huntington completely baffled by what had just occurred. They had been walking along as if not a care in the world, and the next thing he knew, she was sitting in a flowerbed, his coat sleeve in her hand. He cared nothing for the sleeve; it could easily be mended. Nor did he care that she had fallen, at least not completely. However, as she stared up at him, her hair loosened from the severe knot at the back of her head leaving a strand of bright red to hang by her face. The hideous eyeglasses had also fallen to the ground, revealing deep green eyes that threatened to take his breath away. Also, her skirts had moved up when she fell, leaving just a bit of ankle showing in the most provocative manner. For the briefest of moments, he saw not the spinster he must convince to marry him so her father would allow him access to what Johnathan needed. No, what he saw for instead was a beautiful woman who had a streak of mischief-maker in her. He was quite certain that she had not truly fallen—he had cared not for whatever it was she had pointed out to him—but he was rather convinced that she had orchestrated the entire event, and quite cleverly so.

“Ah, Blackmoore,” Mr. Huntington called out even as Johnathan continued to stare at the now closed door through which the man’s daughter had entered, “there you are. I hope your time spent with my daughter was productive.”

Johnathan clutched the torn jacket in his hand. “Oh, I would say that today was quite productive, indeed.”

“Good, good. Well, you are now off duty, as it would be, and I would like to invite you in for a drink. If you are available, of course.”

“Yes, I can spare a moment,” Johnathan replied absently, though he still had not turned his gaze from that closed door, which not only separated him from the woman physically, but also somehow represented a separation on an emotional level. Why had she pretended to fall?

This, of course, brought about a wonderment about the evening of the Huntington party and when she trod upon his foot. Had that truly been an ‘accident’ or had she done so intentionally? At the time he would have leaned more toward the former, though a tiny prickle of suspicion had him wondering about the latter. Now he found himself believing that she had, indeed, intended to stomp on his foot. The question was, why?

***

“I see that you are holding up your end of the bargain,” Mr. Huntington said as he poured two glasses of brandy.

“Had you any doubt?” Johnathan asked as he took the glass from the man.

Mr. Huntington chuckled. “I must admit that I did.” He lowered himself into the chair across from Johnathan, the red flowers clashing with his blue coat. “Alice can be…stubborn, but she will make a good wife. She’s bright, intelligent, and able to handle any situation set before her.”

“I imagine she could,” Johnathan said with a light laugh. “Why has she not married before now?”

Mr. Huntington shot Johnathan a glare. “As I’m sure you have come to realize, our Alice has a mind of her own. I believe her mother allowed her too much leeway with her reading, thus she became overly educated. From my understanding, a woman who is too learned can make most men feel inadequate.” A smile crossed his face. “You, however, have the countenance needed to straighten her out. If anyone can tame her, it will be you.”

Johnathan took a sip of his brandy. The woman indeed needed taming, and he always loved a good challenge. However, did he truly have an interest in doing so? The more he thought on it, the more he realized that he did have an interest. After seeing her in the garden this afternoon, it occurred to him that he would enjoy that conquest more than any other. “I appreciate your confidence in me.”

“That I do,” Mr. Huntington said. He lifted his glass. “Here’s to our business arrangement. To you receiving the fabrics you need, as well as several lucrative London holdings,” —he mentioned the holdings with a bit of annoyance— “and to me ridding myself of a spinster daughter.”

How Johnathan despised the tone in the man’s voice. Once this debacle was over, he would find a way to put him in his place, but for now, he simply smiled and said, “Thank you, sir. I find the prize well worth the game, myself. It should not be long now before we will be planning a wedding.”

“Here, here!” Mr. Huntington said as he raised his glass once more, though Johnathan was already walking toward the door.

Johnathan shook his head. What was he thinking doing business with such a man? However, the challenge the man’s daughter had proven to be had enhanced the deal they had made and reinvigorated Johnathan’s urge to complete the task. Yes, he would win—he always did.