“You are a remarkably good husband to allow me to come here this morning.”
“I agree, remarkable indeed, to give sway to a goose,” Brendan said with a sparkle in his eyes. “My patience is not boundless, however.” He swung her up onto her horse. “I want my wife to myself.”
She arranged her new emerald green habit over her legs and took up the reins. “I was so pleased that Papa consented to give me away. I wish he and Mary had accepted our invitation to the wedding breakfast, though.”
“Hawthorne looked proud as punch and well turned out,” Brendan said. “Quite respectable.”
She laughed. “Yes, his new wife has taken him in hand. Mary told me he has retired. He spends all his time tending the farm.”
“Yes, Hawthorne says that as a result of the stipend I pay him he’s made many improvements to the farm. It has become quite profitable. But he insists I keep up the arrangement. I shall continue to do so just to keep him from holding up unsuspecting travelers on the King’s roads. Terrible old rogue your papa is.” He glanced at her. “I always wanted to ask you if that story you told me about the bruise on your arm was true. I suspected it was your papa.”
“No, papa would never hurt me. Molly had got into the pig pen and I ran in to grab her, and when Portia nudged me behind the knees, I fell against the fence.”
“Who is Portia?”
“Our prize sow. I gave some of the animal’s names and as she was a great breeder she was safe from the market.”
Brendan gave a hoot of laughter. “You are a constant delight, my love. I was going to question Hawthorne as to how much he knew about Mortland. I suspect more than he admitted. But it doesn’t matter now.”
“No. It’s in the past.” In a few months she would meet her newly acquired family. But now her thoughts were filled with Brendan.
“I am glad you have given me a more obliging horse.” Eugenia patted the neck of her roan. She slapped the reins and urged her horse into a canter. “Although I will still exercise Grey Dreamer occasionally.”
“I prefer that you don’t,” Brendan said as he joined her. “That horse is the very devil.”
“Nonsense. I promise to keep her away from the roses.” She laughed. “Race you back to the stables. I am eager to finish that game of chess we began before we went to London. I believe I have thought of a way to beat you.”
“Oh you have, have you? I had something else entirely in mind for this afternoon,” Brendan called. “Wait for me, hoyden.” Laughing, he edged his horse alongside hers, and they galloped over the gravel.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When not creating stories, Maggi reads, enjoys her garden, long walks and feeding the local wildlife. Her kookaburras (Australian Kingfishers) prefer to be hand fed.
Maggi’s books and novellas are Amazon bestsellers in Regency and suspense. She has published more than 20 novels and novellas and writes in several genres, contemporary and historical romance, romantic suspense and young adult novels.
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