Hostile? Miss Cooper had never indicated as such, though there was no warmth between the two from what he had observed.
“He didn’t approve of Mr. Cooper buying a dairy farm when he should be concentrating on his duties as a solicitor.”
“A man can have more than one interest,” Matthew agreed.
“He also thought Mr. Cooper a fool for not making the estate more profitable after he purchased it.” She glanced at the couples across the street. “I worry for Grace. What if Lord Stillwaite has his way? What will become of Grace and her father?”
Again Matthew patted the hand on his arm. “I intend to help Miss Cooper any way I can.”
Miss Montgomery was silent for a moment and then she looked up at him, a contemplative look on her face. “If Grace were to marry, her uncle would lose control of her, their holdings, and possibly be able to still take care of the father.” She studied him as if waiting for a reaction.
Was Miss Montgomery suggesting that he marry Miss Cooper? “I understand that there are three gentlemen vying for her hand.”
Miss Montgomery wrinkled her nose and frowned as if disgusted. “Draker, Thorn and Richards are not what Grace needs, nor would they be best for her.”
“Are there other gentlemen in town who have shown interest?” Though it sounded as if his concern was for Miss Cooper, there was a very selfish reason for asking. He wasn’t yet sure how he felt about Miss Cooper, but he was drawn to her unlike anyone he had met before. Though marriage for Miss Cooper would be the best, he wasn’t anxious to see her do so. At least until he made sense of his feelings toward her.
“No.” Miss Montgomery still studied him.
Was she waiting for him to save Miss Cooper from her dastardly uncle? He couldn’t make the offer right now, not when he knew so little about the lady.
“Perhaps my brother may take a liking to Miss Cooper.”
Miss Montgomery narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “Grace would be safer swimming in shark infested waters.”
Matthew barked out laughter.
“This is not a laughing matter, Vicar Trent.”
“I am sure it is not but you are the first lady I have ever met who is not smitten with my brother.”
“That is because the rest of them are fools.”
“Ah, it is so nice to see the two of you laughing and enjoying the day.”
They turned to find Mrs. Montgomery coming up on them. She wouldn’t be so happy if she knew her daughter was suggesting he marry Miss Cooper, or so Matthew assumed.
Matthew glanced into the window of the shop they were standing before and noted the clock on the wall. It was later than he realized. “If you will excuse me. I have an appointment to meet with Lord Brachton and need to take care of a few matters first.”
Mrs. Montgomery straightened. “Is the marquess in residence? I must call on him.”
Miss Montgomery sighed. “It isn’t a social call, mother. Lord Stillwaite wants to have Mr. Cooper committed and take over guardianship of Grace.”
“Thank goodness. Something needs to be done about that family.”
“Don’t you have an appointment with Brachton at three?” The younger Mr. Trent asked his brother.
Grace grinned. Now she knew when the meeting was and Mr. Trent could not keep her away. If she left town now, she may arrive in time. She would ask Vicar Trent if she could ride with him, but it would be improper. Besides, she needed to see to this matter herself. If she arrived with a gentleman, Brachton may assume she needed assistance and she needed to prove to everyone she could take care of herself and her father without a guardian or husband.
“It was very nice meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Trent, but I must be on my way.”
The older Mr. Trent placed his hand over hers when she began to move it from his arm. “You aren’t thinking of visiting Brachton as well?” His eyes bore into hers.
Grace smiled sweetly up at him. “My plans for this afternoon are no concern of yours.” She pulled her hand away from his, breaking all contact. “Good day.” With that she turned and walked toward home. She would barely make it on foot, but Grace was determined to be at that meeting.
However, this was one of those days she wished she had a carriage. Actually, they did have a carriage and horses but it was too difficult for her to hook the horses to the carriage without the help of a groom, which they did not have. Not that she minded walking. She walked everywhere, but when time was of the essence, a carriage would be welcoming.
Once out of town she turned and took the path through the woods as it was quicker. It came out just short of her house, which was settled upon a hill away from town. If she had gone the opposite direction and taken the road, she would have rounded to the front of her father’s home, had she not cut across the fields, but it was a longer route and she didn’t have a moment to spare.
Hiking her skirts she picked up her pace along the well-used path. Sunlight filtered through the vibrant leaves and limbs soon to be bare for the coming winter. As she rounded the corner, Mr. Thorn was riding the path from the opposite direction. It wasn’t unusual to meet someone else here as it was a route often used by those walking or riding.
He was a bit disheveled, but if he had been riding hard earlier, that would account for his appearance. Mr. Thorn pulled back on the reins and nodded a greeting. “Miss Cooper, what a surprise to see you.”
Drat. She did not have time to stop and chat right now. “Good afternoon, Mr. Thorn.” She kept walking. It was a bit rude of her, but at the moment she didn’t care.
“Is something amiss?”
“I am just in a hurry. I was in town too long. Good day, Mr. Thorn.” She continued on, though she could feel his eyes bore into her back. Perhaps her rude behavior would discourage his suit. Then again, was she in a position to discourage anyone at this moment?
She couldn’t think about that now. Only if it looked as if her uncle would win would she consider the three gentlemen who had been paying court to her.
A moment later she heard the horse move down the path, leaves crunching beneath his hooves and Grace breathed a sigh of relief. A few steps later she emerged into the field behind their home. She hurried up the hill and glanced to the back sitting area. Her father was not outside, which was a bit unusual since this is usually where he sat to take his tea at this time of the day. For a moment she considered checking on him, but knew Mrs. Thomas and Perkins were with him. Perhaps they simply remained inside today. Grace would ask when she returned.
Continuing past the house, she hurried down the slope leading to the road and once again picked up her pace and headed toward Brachton Manor. After she had gone but a short way Mr. Richards rode in her direction, pausing in the middle of the road. Grace clenched her jaw, nodded a polite greeting and continued walking. She did not have time to exchange pleasantries.
Mr. Richards tipped his hat. “I would like a word, Miss Cooper.”
Grace forced a smile. “I am sorry, but I’m rather in a hurry.”
“But it should not take a moment. It is about your decision.”
She stopped for a moment and narrowed her eyes. “My decision?” Did he honestly wish to discuss her potential betrothal to him while standing in the middle of the road?
“I was wondering if you have given my suit any more consideration.”
Grace took a deep breath and chose her words carefully and was thoughtful in her tone. It wouldn’t do to alienate him at the moment in the event she was forced to choose one of the three for a husband. “I have given it thought. However, I do have more pressing matters at the moment.”
“If you mean your uncle, your problems can be solved by simply marrying me.”
Not all of her problems, but she did not have time, nor did she wish to enter into a debate on the merits of her marrying any of them at the moment. “I will give the matter more consideration. Now if you will excuse me.” She turned and walked away before he had a chance to say anything further.
Really, this was ridiculous, and why hadn’t she pointed out again that none of them had actually asked her. They simply assumed she understood. And, perhaps given the circumstances they didn’t feel an official offer was necessary. Well, if they thought so little of her, she thought even less of them.
Rounding the corner she came to the end of the drive to Brachton Manor. There were already two carriages lined up in front. Grace should have expected this. The gentlemen who were to call on Lord Brachton all had conveyances and horses at their disposal and could travel much quicker on the road than she could on foot, even though she took a short cut.
She marched to the door, lifted her hand to knock and stopped. What was she doing? Had she lost all good sense? A single lady does not call on the home of a bachelor, despite the time of day, or who else might be present, without a companion or chaperone. She had been so caught up in worrying about her father and what Stillwaite could say to Brachton without her present that she gave absolutely no thought to propriety. If she asked for an audience right now no doubt her uncle would use that against her.
But, did she turn around, go back home and wait for a decision to be made, trusting that Vicar Trent would be able to dissuade Brachton from handing guardianship over to her uncle?
Her heartbeat increased and she wiped her damp hands against her dress. Oh, why hadn’t she wore gloves? No doubt hair was in disarray and her gown could be nicer but when she set off for town earlier, she had not anticipated not returning home before she determined the time of the meeting.