The Proposal by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page A

panic rushed through Jennings when he thought about their leaving again. He couldn’t watch the doors at all hours of the day, nor did he want to live like that. The thought, however, of their going and his not being able to find them was very disquieting indeed.
    “And, Bates,” Jennings called to his man before he could fully exit the room. “Tell Cook to prepare an early lunch, a sumptuous one.”
    “Yes, sir. Right away, sir.”
    Left on his own, Jennings sat pensively behind his desk, his mind running with the events of the day and his desire to find Mrs Smith and bring her to justice. Thinking the children might need him, he kept the study door open so he could keep an eye on the stairs, but at least for the moment he was on his own. That was when he spotted it again: the latest letter from his sister.
    Usually such missives were dropped into a file drawer, unopened and unheeded, but today, for the first time in more years than he could recall, he opened the letter from Mrs Frank Palmer.
    Dear Jennings, it began.
I hope this finds you well. How is London’s weather just now? We’re growing warmer by the day, and the flowers must be loving it as they are in full bloom. Does your own garden still give you pleasure?
Did you hear from our cousin Godwin Jennings’ solicitor? I don’t recall that I ever met Godwin, at least not for years, but I was saddened to hear of his death. Palmer and I have wondered what must have become of the children. Did you hear anything? I can’t help but wonder if they match any of the ages of our four.
    Jennings could not keep reading. The last he knew his sister had two children. To learn that he’d been this far out of touch was very upsetting. His dealings with children of late, and now this reminder, helped him to see what a selfish creature he’d become.
    Rising slowly from his desk, he went in search of Bates. He wanted to know how Cook was coming with lunch, as he planned to join the children.

    Thomas’ heart burgeoned at the efforts of their benefactor. He’d come in just after they’d sat down to lunch and asked if he could join them. The boys, fairly comfortable with Mr Jennings, had no qualms. Penny, however, had shrunken in her chair a little. Jennings was not put off. He glanced her way several times and eventually ventured forth.
    “Do you have enough milk, Penny? Would you like a little more?”
    “Yes, please.”
    Forgetting herself for the moment, Penny put Mr Pat on the table so she could reach for her glass.
    “What is this?” Jennings asked, his voice showing real interest.
    Penny nearly upset her milk in her swift effort to put the glass down and take the porcelain figure from the tabletop. She bit her lip in fear, her hands holding the figurine in her lap.
    “You can show it to Mr Jennings, Penny,” Thomas encouraged. “He’d like to see it.”
    Reluctance showing in every move, her look guarded, Penny gently placed a small bunny dressed in a dapper blue coat on the table next to her plate.
    “It’s a rabbit wearing a coat.”
    “Mr Pat,” Penny said softly.
    “His name is Mr Pat?”
    “He was my mother’s.”
    Jennings smiled at her. “I’m glad you have something that belonged to her, Penny. I’m sure she would be pleased to know you enjoy it.”
    Penny smiled shyly, and in order to rescue her, Jennings went back to his lunch. He ate calmly until he found Thomas’ eyes on him.
    “They’re not as frightening as you first thought, are they, sir?” the young man asked.
    “What aren’t, Thomas?”
    “Little girls.”
    Jennings laughed, the first laugh the children had ever heard from him.
    “No, they aren’t, Thomas,” he had to agree. “No, indeed.”

    “See to it that the children have plenty to wear and have any of their favorite belongings packed as well,” Jennings told Bates much later that same day. He’d added this last order since Mr Pat had also been in attendance at the dinner table. “If all goes according to plan,