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Chapter 1

April 1st 1819

A reputation for having an easy disposition and no other responsibilities was a curse to be borne at a country gathering Gideon navigated the stifling alehouse, sweat trickling down his spine as he carried two drinks through the chattering crowd of le drop, which would nored the assessing glances thrown his way

The late Mr Grieves had been well liked and it seeether in the village tavern Everyone, unfortunately, included a few too e in want of a husband

Being the sole bachelor in a croas an uncoe

“There you are, madam,” he murmured to Mrs Hawthorne as he passed over the punch, and then glanced around for young Miss Natalia Hawthorne He didn’t ilass

Mrs Hawthorne craned her neck to look beyond him “What became of my husband, Mr Whitfield?”

Gideon glanced over his shoulder in surprise Mr Hawthorne, carrying two tankards of ale, had vanished Gideon suppressed a groan Hawthorneto his wife “I’ any moment”

Gideon had no choice but to remain in the oppressive heat with Mrs Hawthorne, at least until Miss Hawthorne returned to take her cup of punch He studied the crowd again, wondering where the girl had gone to this time Natalia Hawthorne tended to disappear fro frequency

Mrs Hawthorne’s lips pinched tightly together and he averted his eyes She would, of course, be displeased that her husband had quit the very crowded tavern without seeing to his fahly combative, not that he’d know from personal experience He’d never ument, whispered complaints and such, from male acquaintances They were never allowed a moment’s peace Still, today, Mr Hawthorne was very

He glanced around for the daughter discreetly once more He should never have made that foolish promise to watch over Natalia Hawthorne

He leaned closer to Mrs Hawthorne “Where has she gone?”

Mrs Hawthorne patted his arht behind you”

“Ah, good” He glanced over his shoulder and, sure enough, the girl—or woman, he should say now, because she’d been out for two years—was speaking earnestly to the newly ain

“You are so kind to worry,” Mrs Hawthorne said “It means so much to our faation to us”

Gideon was not related to the Hawthornes, but they were friends of his absent friends, and therefore important He had made an attempt to ensure the Hawthorne ladies would not expire from thirst in this dreadful heat What more could a bachelor be expected to do?

Nothing He glanced at the glass of punch in his hand with a wry s it were the ale Mr Hawthorne had taken with him

“You entle in a half slect, transfor her appear a jolly sort of woman He recalled that she’d once been that way all the tie she had been

“Not at all,” he murmured

Her srew “My dear Mr Whitfield, what a terrible liar you are”

“No No I speak nothing but the truth,” he promised “There is nowhere I’d rather be”