Page 43 of Eight for Losing, One for Loving

“You’re very kind, sir, but really there’s no need. I do not wish to put you to any trouble—”

“Nonsense, nonsense, I’m just sitting here. Mrs Jenkins has all the work, but she enjoys feeding people so another mouth will please her no end. Now, do stop looking so anxious. I can imagine why you are here, but there is no need to fret. That is, providing you are intending to do the honourable thing by the young lady?”

Harbottle’s kindly but intelligent eyes settled on Leo.

“I would marry her in a heartbeat, but… but the young lady is reluctant,” Leo replied, and then hurried to clarify as he realised how that might sound. “Please, do not think, I mean, Miss— The young lady is of unimpeachable character and is only in this ridiculous fix because of me.”

“Because of those men last night, you mean,” Harbottle suggested.

Leo shrugged. “Yes, but I ought not to have involved her.”

Harbottle laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “From what I saw last night, your young lady is not the sort who likes being left out.”

Leo’s lips quirked. “She was mad as fire that I left her in her room, and no, she would not let me set her down whenever I tried to persuade her to turn back, but all the same—”

“All the same, she’s a woman of sense, one with intelligence and fortitude from what I can see. Were you to ignore her wishes and impose your own will upon her?”

“No, but… but she could have been killed last night—” Leo protested, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“But she was not, and neither were you. It’s unlikely you will get yourselves in quite such a scrape again, I think. If I were you, I should stop fretting, enjoy the wonderful breakfast Mrs Jenkins provides you, and then tell the young lady you are desperately in love with her and need her to marry you or you will sink into despair.”

Leo huffed with amusement. “Sadly, the last part is all too true, and I would do it without a second thought if I thought it would work.”

“You think it would not?” The vicar looked at him curiously.

“I’ve had something of an adventurous life, Reverend. Vi thinks I’m a loose screw, not to be relied upon, that I’ll get bored and set out on some mad adventure and forget about her, or take up a mistress, or get myself killed, any or all the above,” he added gloomily.

“Is she right?”

“No!” Leo retorted at once. “No, certainly not.”

“I have certainly heard of your exploits, Mr Hunt, and I confess, I have been a little surprised you survived your early years myself, at times.”

“You… You have?” Leo said in dismay.

“Of course, anyone who reads the scandal sheets must know of Mr Hunt, and in more recent times, his magnificent cat, Mau.”

Leo groaned and put his head in his hands. “You knew.”

Harbottle nodded. “I did,” he admitted somewhat smugly. “But I did not wish to spoil your adventure when you were having such fun.”

“Fun?”

Leo stared at him in shock.

“Certainly. At least it seemed to me I was with two young people having a marvellous time despite their worries and who made an excellent team. You are well suited, I think.”

Leo considered his words. It had been fun in parts, if he’d not been so worried about Mau, it would have been a good deal more enjoyable but… but Vi had enjoyed it too.

“Ah, Mrs Jenkins, a splendid feast as usual. You see, Mr Hunt, did I not tell you?”

“You did, sir,” Leo replied, thanking the housekeeper as she came into the room and deposited an overflowing plate of eggs, bacon, sausages and fried potatoes and mushrooms before him. She gave the reverend a nod in response to his words and went out again.

The reverend snatched up his knife and fork eagerly before glancing back at Leo.

“If you would forgive an old man for his interference, would you mind me calling in on the young lady later this morning? I should like to see how she goes on and perhaps she might like to speak to me too,” Harbottle suggested.

Leo frowned. He had thought of asking Harbottle to do just that, but….