No, the lady’s companion was someone much more unexpected.
Miss Ashbrook sat with her hands tucked into her lap, seeming to shrink into herself as Timothy leaned closer, speaking animatedly. The lady made a decent show of hiding her emotions, but it was clear to anyone with eyes that she did not wish for Timothy’s attentions. Just as his pointed behavior made his intentions equally clear.
“Come now, no other lady will do my flower justice,” said Timothy, taking the rosebud from his lapel and offering it to her. Miss Ashbrook took hold of it, but stiffened when his hand brushed her arm. Leaning close, his brother whispered something in her ear that brought a blush to her cheek, though the tightness of her lips betrayed the discomfort beneath that coloring.
When she spied Frederick standing just behind them, Miss Ashbrook’s gaze pleaded for rescue, and despite all the tempest of late, his thoughts calmed and focused: he knew what needed to be done.
Chapter 14
“May I speak with you, dear brother of mine?” said Frederick, coming up beside the seated pair and settling a firm hand on the fellow’s shoulder.
Timothy babbled some excuse and tried to shrug his brother off, but Frederick flashed Miss Ashbrook a smile before hauling him from the chair. Wrapping that arm about Timothy’s shoulders, he led him away with an expression full of fraternal kindness, though Frederick’s teeth clenched as he gripped his brother tighter.
“What are you doing?” asked Frederick in a deceptively cheerful tone once they were out of Miss Ashbrook’s hearing.
“I think it is obvious,” replied his brother, shaking off the arm. “For some reason, Miss Ashbrook is unattached, and I shan’t let her slip through my fingers.”
“You’ve developed a tendre for the lady?” asked Frederick in a flat voice.
Timothy scoffed. “I require funds, and the family will no longer provide them.”
“That is what a profession is for. Mr. Teague was kind enough to send you home during our bereavement, but perhaps it is time to return to Leeds.”
“I make a pittance,” said Timothy with a scowl. “Success requires an income, and without the family’s assistance, I will need something more substantial until I establish myself. And Miss Ashbrook certainly is… substantial.”
There was a hint of a laugh in that final word, and Frederick’s hand clenched at his side. “Do not mock her.”
Holding up his hands to ward off the fury that burned in his brother’s tone, Timothy shrugged it off. “I meant no disrespect. Miss Ashbrook is pleasant enough when she manages to string two words together—mousy creature that she is—but as the only daughter of a wealthy family, she’s bound to have a hefty dowry—perhaps even enough for me to be a gentleman of leisure if managed properly. At the very least, it will provide a comfortable life whilst I establish myself in the law.”
The whole thing was described in such a matter-of-fact tone, as though marrying for money was of no consequence. But then, that was “the way of things.” Wasn’t it?
Though philosophies were changing, most marriages were arrangements surrounding income, status, and bloodlines, yet hearing Timothy describe his plans in such a mercenary manner set Frederick’s teeth on edge. Especially when involving a kindhearted lady like Miss Ashbrook.
“I need to secure a marriage before everyone discovers our situation,” Timothy added. “And Miss Ashbrook doesn’t appear to have much experience with gentlemen, so it should be easy enough to turn her head. Even if she is reluctant at first.”
“With good reason,” said Frederick.
“Pardon?”
“She has good reason to be reluctant: your motives are mercenary.”
Huffing, Timothy waved that off. “Better to marry a fortune hunter than end a spinster.”
“You speak as though you are her only opportunity,” said Frederick. “And if you truly believed that flummery, you would be honest about your loveless offer and allow her to choose, rather than deceiving her with every flirtation.”
“You are growing maudlin in your dotage,” said Timothy with an exasperated look. “You speak as though I will mistreat her, but I promise I will be a good husband—regardless of the motivations behind our marriage. And you are being very high and mighty when you haven’t spoken to Miss Keats about our reduced circumstances.”
Tensing, Frederick’s muscles strained as he glared at his brother. “We do not know for certain that things are that dire. Not yet.”
With a smirk and a chuckle, Timothy shook his head and turned back to Miss Ashbrook, but Frederick caught him by the arm.
“Not her.”
“It isn’t your right—”
Frederick’s hold tightened on Timothy’s arm. Not enough to cause true harm, but to emphasize the importance of this moment. “Not Miss Ashbrook. If you want to rush headlong into an ill-gotten marriage, I cannot stop you, but I will not allow you to pester a lady who does not welcome your overtures.”
Brow furrowing, Timothy’s lip curled as he stared at his brother. “You cannot be serious. Firstly, she is simply unused to male attention. That is all. Secondly—”
