His Impassioned Proposal (The Bridgethorpe Brides) by Aileen Fish Page A

longer your wish?”
    “It is my desire still. Yet, it seems the closer the time comes, the more uncertain I am. My lot in life seems so pointless.”
    “How so? Becoming a wife and mother is a privilege. And I don’t mean we are to be grateful that some gentleman looks upon us and deems us suitable. Being born into a family wealthy enough to assure you will marry well, be able to afford a few servants to clean and cook for you…you are one of the lucky ones. You will not become a spinster, nor will you need to find work.”
    Jane sighed. “I am thankful for all of that. Perhaps what I need is to marry a rich man. Then I might be free to do charitable deeds.”
    “Charity is not simply handing out money to the less fortunate. You are in a position to help in many ways.”
    “If we lived closer to those mills, I might tutor the children.”
    “Are you planning to accept Stephen’s offer, then? Perhaps you could buy a second house near the mill.”
    Straightening in her seat, Jane’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean that. I wish to get to know him better before I decide.”
    “How much better can you know him without marrying the man? I still believe he is as he appears, a kind, gentle and considerate man.”
    “Perhaps he is.” Jane set her tea cup down with a sigh. “But I cannot let go of that last bit of uncertainty, and until I do, I cannot accept him as my husband.”

Chapter Eleven

    Two weeks after returning from Sowerby, Stephen was once again traveling, this time to Newmarket. He made the journey alone in his curricle with his groom following on Sir Bedivere, since David had already gone to Fernleigh Stables to work with the Bridgethorpe horses. The Spring Meeting would be held in just a few weeks, opening the season for the Jockey Club.
    While David supervised his grooms mounted on their thoroughbreds, Stephen planned to improve his skill at the reins of the curricle. He was not yet confident enough to accept any challenges, and their corresponding bets, and he was fairly certain he’d be challenged often once he arrived in London for the Season. He was a Lumley, after all, and the family name was quite prominent in racing circles.
    He actually was counting on those challenges to recoup the cost of his investment. Not that he couldn’t afford the expense—he would never put up money he couldn’t afford to lose. Just as he’d never bet money he needed for another purpose, or count on winnings for his necessities.
    The win itself was the point of the race. The money he gained from bets simply made winning taste that much richer.
    After turning over his curricle and team to one of Fernleigh’s grooms, Stephen sought out his cousin. As he expected, David was in the paddocks timing one of his horses.
    “How does he look for the race?”
    “Triton will win it. Don’t waste your money betting on any other horse.” David clapped him on the back in greeting.
    “I’d never bet against a horse from Fernleigh. Unless I had one of my own in the race.”
    “Do you plan to enter Bedivere?”
    Stephen watched the long-legged bay eat up the field with his easy gait. “No. I’m going on to London from here and will want to ride him while I am there.”
    David shrugged. “It’s your call. He might have a few good races left in him.”
    “He hasn’t been training over the winter. I’d more likely do him an injury than win a race.”
    “When does Jane arrive in Town?”
    Folding his arms across his chest, Stephen said, “I don’t know. I didn’t inquire.”
    “How will you call on her? Will she send word when she arrives?”
    “I doubt it. I don’t intend to call on her, nor do I think she wishes me to do so.”
    David turned to face him. “Hannah said you two were getting on better. Didn’t her family travel to Sowerby with you?”
    “They did. And I had a conversation with Jane that convinced me not to renew my offer for her hand.”
    “I am sorry to hear this. Although there was a moment