An Honorable Wish

Chapter Four

Tony 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 Williamses 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[ Okay to delete? Penelope wouldn't know that Tony was coming, so she wouldn't have been able to give it previous thought.]. 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 watching the young ladies. "Let's walk out to the back pasture and you can explain what we'll be doing," Tony said, breaking the spell.

Aaron hesitated and looked back at the house. "If you don't mind, sir, my father would like a word with you first."

"Certainly." Tony followed Aaron into the stone house. Inside, it was dark but spotlessly clean. Aaron led them to a room with a window that faced the back pasture. An older man sat in a chair with a blanket over his legs.

"I'm Henry Williams," he said, his deep voice booming from the gloom of the large sitting room.

Tony moved forward and shook the man's hand. "Tony Matthews."

"I know who you are," Mr. Williams said.

Tony's stomach twisted. "Pardon?"

"My son[ Only Aaron would have had the opportunity to tell Henry anything about Tony.] informed me that you've just returned from London. Do you by chance know of Mr. Chelsworth?"