‘I also would have liked to have seen him in person,’ Alena said, with a bright smile. ‘Hugo, that is. From the article in the newspaper, it appears that he made an amusing drunk.’
‘It was comical,’ Meridith said, smiling at the memories. ‘He even had the hiccups. Sitting on his behind, with his eyes all glassy, and when he stood up, his footsteps were very wobbly.’ She shook her head. ‘He had no idea what all that wine would do to him.’
‘Of course he didn’t,’ Alena said, looking at Diana. ‘Poor elephant. The children enjoyed their rides on him so much.’
‘Yes, they did,’ Diana agreed.
‘I didn’t want that to be ruined,’ Meridith said.
‘I’m glad you found him and were able to get him back to the zoo so quickly,’ Alena said.
‘Peter wasn’t glad,’ Meridith said. ‘He barely said a word to me all the way home last night.’
‘Well, your brother doesn’t always see situations from anyone’s view but his own, either, at first, but he comes around when things become more clear.’ Alena patted her hand. ‘You mailed the letter, Meridith. You didn’t just write it and tuck it away. You mailed it.’
Meridith understood what Alena meant, but wasn’t sure if Peter would ever see things her way, not when it came to marrying her off.
Nor was she sure if she’d ever understand what she felt for Drake.
Perhaps she didn’t want to know. No one wanted to fall in love with a man who they knew they could never marry.
Chapter Eleven
All afternoon, Drake told himself that he’d agreed to have dinner with Meridith and her family because he wanted her family to know that she’d done the right thing when it came to the Montgomery boys. That was a good reason. A viable reason. One that had nothing to do with the fact that he… That he wanted to be with her. Near her.
It was a need that just kept growing inside him.
While staring at ledgers all afternoon, he’d thought about her offer to help. Another demonstration of her kindness and generosity. She was truly a remarkable person. An unselfish, wonderful person.
Whereas he was realising just how selfish he’d been in the past by putting what he wanted ahead of everything else. None of the ledgers balanced out. If what he was seeing, and imagining, proved to be true, he questioned if finding a partner was even what he truly needed. It would take more investigating before he knew for sure, which was why he’d taken a few of his ledgers to Edward Gains’s office and was grateful that his solicitor agreed to have the accounts reviewed.
Though Meridith’s offer to review his ledgers had helped him come to that decision, he would never ask that task of her. The docks were no place for a lady, and she was one through and through. But her qualities went beyond that. Besides her courageand determination, she had sympathy for those less fortunate, and was determined that all should enjoy the benefits of the community, especially when it came to the zoo. Thereto, she was committed to the fair treatment of the animals.
She had many such notable characteristics, and he could see her rising to the heights of society, being both respected and admired by all. And married to a man who deserved her.
He couldn’t think about her without marriage entering his thoughts. But that was what she wanted, and not what he wanted.
His musing ended as he arrived at her house, and a moment later, Mr Kent, the butler, opened the door and invited him inside. While Drake was crossing the threshold, a noise drew his attention to the stairway.
It was Meridith. Wearing a pale yellow gown with white flowers embroidered on the flowing skirt, she looked like an angel descending the stairway. A beautiful, living angel. One who truly took his breath away.
‘Good evening,’ he greeted.
‘Hello.’ Her smile grew as she came closer. ‘I hope you aren’t bleary-eyed again this evening.’
Although her beauty was blinding, he admitted, ‘Not at all. I’m seeing everything quite clearly.’
She giggled. ‘I’m happy to hear that. I hope you had a good day.’
‘I did, and hope the same for you.’
‘I had a lovely day and received a message from Mr Ratnam that a nightwatchman has already been hired and will start tonight.’
He held out a hand to assist her off the final step. ‘I swung by the zoo after leaving the docks today and learned the same information.’
‘Did you see Hugo?’
‘Yes, and he’s doing fine. No ill effects from his escapade.’
