A Most Inconvenient Wish by Eileen Richards Read Free Book Online

is out with my husband but will be here for dinner tonight, my lord.” Anne said. “I’ll let him know you’ve arrived.”
    â€œThank you, ma’am.”
    Sophia studied Lord Bateman for a long moment. There was something in his tone that did not ring true. Why would he want to be introduced to Ian McDonald? The man was a sheep farmer.
    â€œWhat time should we be down for dinner, ma’am?” Captain Smith-Williams asked.
    â€œWe sound the gong at six, sir,” Anne said.
    Sophia watched them walk up the stairs. “Why would Lord Bateman be interested in meeting Mr. McDonald?”
    â€œWhat a snob you are! Mr. McDonald is a successful businessman. He is well known in Town for advising various members of the Ton with their investments. Perhaps Lord Bateman would like his advice.”
    So he wasn’t just a sheep farmer. Sophia kept that comment to herself. The man still irritated her on a daily basis. Still, there was something in Lord Bateman’s manner as he spoke of Ian McDonald that warranted further study.
    A walk to Horneswood, her sister’s home, would give her time to think as well as recover from the disappointment of the appearance of Miss Hamilton. Sophia wanted to wallow in her defeat for a few minutes alone. She wasn’t ready to give up, but even she had to admit that her chances of being on the receiving end of a proposal were looking rather bleak. Sophia could kick herself for wasting a perfectly good wish on Mr. McDonald.
    â€œDo you need me, Anne?”
    â€œI think the housekeeper can handle things. Sophia, are you all right? I know you thought Lord Bateman was here to propose—”
    Sophia pasted a smile on her face. “I’m fine, Anne. Really. I thought I’d walk through the woods. It would be a relief from this heat, if you could do without me.”
    â€œCertainly. I doubt our guests will be down for tea after such a long journey.”
    â€œI’m sorry for Lady Catherine’s comments. She can be—”
    â€œChallenging?”
    â€œIndeed,” Sophia said. “Challenging is the perfect word.”
    * * *
    Ian McDonald leaned against the fence, watching as sheep were rounded up by Tony Matthews’s staff. He had transported several rams from his own flock in Scotland to breed with Tony’s sheep. The goal was to breed a better quality of wool. This was the second year of their experiment and it was showing promise. So much promise, he was ready to invest in more land and settle on his estate in Dumfries to raise more sheep. It meant he would no longer need to travel to London regularly for business.
    He hated Town. The smell, the thick air, the noise had no appeal to him. The theater was nice, as were other amusements, but he still preferred the green, rolling hills of his home in Scotland.
    There would still have to be trips to Town, but not every single Season. He’d have to make a few trips to negotiate future investments in the factories he wanted to build, but most of those would be of short duration. Having Sophia on his arm would be a definite plus. She knew her way around Society. She could be a real asset when he was ready to expand his business.
    Of course, that was assuming she didn’t marry Lord Bateman and condescended to marry him. She wasn’t the only one who had set her sights high. The heart didn’t seem to care what Society thought.
    Ian half hoped the stupid wish Sophia had mistakenly made would come true. If she were stuck with him forever, he’d have ample time to convince her to care for him. Unfortunately, in his experience, there was no magic, just hard work.
    â€œHow’s it going? Has the ram picked his prize yet?” Tony asked, coming up beside him to lean on the fence.
    Ian glanced at Matthews. Marriage had changed him in a good way. Ian was almost envious of Tony’s life. The man was happy, at peace. “He’s being picky. Maybe we