An Honorable Wish (A Lady's Wish 2) Read Online Free PDF

that Lady Danford has asked that I keep an eye on you.”
    “They could really use the help.”
    Her skin was almost translucent in the firelight. She really was lovely. In Town she was always with the other bookish young ladies gathered near the wall, waiting for a gentleman to notice and ask them to dance. He had not been able to help himself. He’d danced once with Juliet before making his way to the gaming tables.
    “What time shall we leave in the morning?”
    “Seven.”
    “Good God, are you serious?” He was never up that early. Not even to travel.
    “I wouldn’t want to disrupt your schedule, Tony. Perhaps it is just as well. All those years at the gaming tables might have weakened your muscles.”
    He couldn’t stop himself from rising to the bait. “It’s a very dangerous game to threaten a man’s strength, Miss Matthews.”
    “Then you’ll just have to prove yourself tomorrow at the Williamses farm.” Juliet stood, clutching her books, and dipped a curtsy. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    “It will be worth it to see you in those breeches again.”
    Juliet gave him an impudent grin. “Too bad I intend to wear a dress.”
    Tony stared at the open door long after Juliet had exited. Finally he threw himself back into his chair and stared at the fire. Hard labor would do him good. Help him work off some of his guilt and keep him out of Nathaniel’s way. He needed to see what Bartleby was up to. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get to know some of the tenants before he decided what to do with the estate. There wasn’t much else he could do until Chelsworth was back in Beetham.

Chapter Four
    T ony guided the horse cart down the lane. He was barely awake. Who got up so early in the morning?
    Juliet had met him at the stables with a huge basket from the kitchens. He’d placed the basket behind them in the cart. She sat beside him, her hands folded demurely in her lap, quiet as a mouse.
    Ordinarily, Juliet was never quiet.
    The morning was beautiful. It had been a long time since Tony had seen a sunrise. He turned off the lane and followed the line of trees to a large stone house surrounded by several outbuildings. It was clear that at one time the Williams farm had been one of the larger ones in the area. Now he noticed the roof needed serious repair.
    Tony jumped down from the cart and handed Juliet down before she could do it on her own. He’d play the gentleman whether she wanted it or not. When she went to pick up the basket, he brushed her hand away. “Allow me.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Matthews,” she said and smiled softly.
    They were so formal with each other this morning. He watched Juliet smile as a young lady approached them. The two ladies greeted each other and were joined by a gangly young man who couldn’t keep from staring at Juliet.
    “Miss Juliet, would you introduce me to your friends?” asked Tony.
    “Of course,” Juliet said. “Mr. Matthews, may I present Miss Williams and Mr. Aaron Williams. Mr. Matthews’s brother is married to my sister.”
    Aaron Williams was lean and wiry, like most young men his age. He had a shock of red hair and fair, freckled skin. “Welcome to the farm, sir,” he said.
    Miss Williams was a pretty girl with auburn hair and pale skin. She dipped a curtsy. “Welcome, sir.”
    “We brought something for your larder,” Juliet said.
    Tony passed the basket to Aaron, who took it into the house.
    “Thank you, Juliet; that’s very kind,” Penelope Williams said softly. Her voice was melodious and sweet.
    “So where do we start today?” Juliet said and smiled at her friend.
    “Mr. Matthews could help Aaron in the fields today. Mother wants us to plant the kitchen garden,” answered Penelope.
    Aaron was back in a flash, pulling on his gloves. “If you’re ready, sir, we can start out to the back pasture,” he said to Tony.
    Tony nodded, distracted as Juliet and Penelope spoke softly together. He turned and found Aaron also