Page 77 of Not a Fine Gentleman

Chapter 20

Connor went home and glared at his bachelor’s rooms. He took off his coat and tossed it onto a threadbare chair with stuffing peeking out between the seams.

The austere furniture, cracked plaster walls, and a broken grate had never bothered him before. He had always had enough food, candles, fuel for the hearth, not to mention a good coat and boots. After spending time with Meg and her family, his abode seemed decidedly low. No lady of her quality would consider a man of his class and birth—despite her familiar, even friendly, manner toward him. She might overlook the nature of his birth if he had enough property and possessions to appear respectable. Or if his father publicly claimed him. He had nothing to offer her.

Not unless he asked his father for money. No, that would be akin to selling his soul to the devil.

The footsteps of the old man who lived in the rooms next to his thumped down the corridor, growing steadily nearer. After a metallic scrape, and squeaking hinges, the door banged. Was Connor destined for such a future? Living out his life alone?

Connor undressed and brushed out his clothes, trying to eliminate all traces of their flour fight. Despite himself, he grinned. What devil had possessed him to throw flour at Meg? Her response would remain forever in his memory, tucked away in a safe place where he could revisit it when he needed a moment of joy. For those moments, they had laughed and played without care, in a world of their own making that had no social levels.

As the sun set, he lit candles, built a fire, and prepared a simple meal. While the food bubbled in the pot, Connor stared at the fire.

With a full stomach, he banked the fire and went back to work. Before long, he’d caught a would-be burglar trying to force open a window, and hauled him to the upper room of the Brown Bear Inn to await his time before the magistrate.

The night’s accomplishment somehow restored his faith in himself. Still, he couldn’t ward off his growing desire to see Meg.

He was better off alone.

Wasn’t he?