Page 80 of Rogue’s Holiday

Chapter 16

Robbie left Jack at The Swan Hotel in Northampton where they had secured lodgings and rode to the location not far from town where the hotel proprietor had told him he could find Dudley Hall. His uncle begged to remain behind to allow him inquiry after Miss Crockett’s family in the hopes of gaining an introduction to her parents.

At first glance, the Reynolds’ home appeared large and imposing, a two-winged brick edifice standing three stories high with six dual chimneys rising from a slanted slate roof. Four dormer windows were set into the third story roof.

He rode up the gravel path flanked by grass lawns. As he wasn’t expected, he was unsurprised to encounter no stable boy. So, he tied his horse at the stone arch leading to the front door. A knock produced a butler dressed in a black suit. “Sir?”

Robbie handed the man his card. “Sir Robert Powell to see Mr. Reynolds.”

“The master is in the library. I will see if he is accepting callers.”

With that, the butler turned on his heels and disappeared down a corridor, leaving Robbie to look around. The floor beneath his boots was black and white tiles and above him a shining brass chandelier held a myriad of candles. A staircase at one side led to the floors above. He tried to picture a young, mischievous Chastity sliding down the banister and succeeded. Oh, yes, he was confident she had done that and likely been punished for it.

She had told him she had two sisters, one older and one younger. Were they at all like her? He doubted it. Chastity was unique and might have had difficulty fitting into an ordinary family. He recalled her words when she described them, “I have two sisters, one older and one younger. My father is a country squire and an eccentric designer of men’s shoes and boots.” She had made no mention of her mother.

The butler returned. “The master will see you. Please follow me.”

The library was lined with bookshelves full of books. Behind the carved desk that was strewn with sheets of parchment was a fireplace and above it the painting of a beautiful dark-haired woman in an elegant blue silk gown. He could see a resemblance with Chastity but the coloring was different.

The silver-haired man behind the desk rose and came around to extend his hand. “Sir Robert, welcome.”

Robbie shook his hand and looked into the same brilliant blue eyes that belonged to Chastity. “I come about your daughter, Chastity.”

Mr. Reynolds gestured Robbie to a sofa set beneath a mullioned window that allowed light to stream into the library. “Would you care for a cup of coffee? ’Tis a bit early for brandy but we have that as well.”

“Coffee would be welcome.”

A footman was summoned and returned with two cups and a silver coffee pot. Mr. Reynolds waved him away. “I’ll pour, Jackson.”

Once they had their coffee, Mr. Reynolds took a seat beside Robbie. “Do you come from Brighton with news of my daughter?”

Robbie sampled the coffee, which was very good, before saying, “I come from London but I have been in Brighton, a guest of His Majesty at the Royal Pavilion.”

“Is my daughter well?” Mr. Reynold’s asked with a look of concern. “I’ve not had a letter recently.”

“Your daughter is well and with her great-aunt, Lady Sanborn.”

The man’s posture relaxed and he took a drink of his coffee. “Then, may I ask your purpose in coming here?”

“I realize you don’t know me at all, sir. I met your daughter this summer at the suggestion of the Countess of Claremont, a family friend, whom I greatly admire. Over the months, I have come to respect Chastity and enjoy her company. More than that, I love her. I come to ask your permission for her hand in marriage. I would ask her to be my wife.”

“You are right, Sir Robert, I don’t know you. But I do know of you. Does His Majesty the king know of your interest in my daughter?”

“Why, yes, but he did not know I was coming to see you. I have not spoken to him since I left Brighton for London.”

“Then he must have anticipated your visit, for he wrote to me. His letter was quite clear. He said if you should ask for my daughter’s hand, I should not deny you. He called you his friend, a noble servant of His Majesty and, as a part of Powell Shipping, a worthy man of means well able to provide for my daughter.”

“I am taken aback, sir. I did not know that the king had attempted to pave my way. I would not be so complimentary of my attributes but, it is true, I am able to care for your daughter. I must tell you she thinks me a rogue of the worst sort though she is not indifferent to my suit. Her view is based on some impressions, perhaps of my life before I met her. But since that day, there has been no other woman for me. And there never shall be.”

Mr. Reynolds’ blue eyes twinkled. “It is not so bad to begin as a rogue, Son, as long as you end as a faithful husband.”

“I have three brothers, sir. All are faithful husbands, as is my father.”

“And what do you think of my daughter’s interest in designing shoes?”

“I think she is very clever. You see, my brothers’ wives all engage in unusual pursuits. Nick, the eldest, is married to an American who knows sailing ships as well as her husband. Kit, my brother Martin’s wife, is an accomplished sketch artist. And, Ailie, my twin’s wife, designs ships.”

“My, my. That’s quite a family. Yes, I begin to see,” he said, nodding. “Chastity would fit in well, wouldn’t she?”