Persuading Her: A Modern Persuasion Retelling (Pemberley Estates Book 2)

by Keena Richins

  Chapter 11

  Rick couldn’t help being glad he was in his best suit and made sure to greet Louisa with extra warmth, just in case that chat Sophy had with Anne had managed to elicit some jealousy. But she was as calm as ever, greeting him like he was an unimportant acquaintance.

  A quick conversation informed him the group had never been to Lyme, which surprised him, but then, he was the one that traveled a lot. He offered to give them a tour of the city and they all jumped on the offer, eager to shed nervous energy. Well, at least for Charles and his immediate family. Anne seemed perfectly at ease as always and kept to herself, not bothering to join in the conversations. He wondered if she was always like that. Back in their teenage years, neither of them could stop talking, constantly wanting to know all about the other. But ever since he’d seen her again, he had yet to see that chatty side of her.

  The extra time soon expired and Rick led them back to the restaurant. The waiter led them to their reserved table and Rick made sure to save a seat for Mr. Knightly, but let the others choose their seats. Charles sat on the other side of the empty seat of Knightly while Louisa planted herself next to him. To his surprise, Anne ended up nearly directly across from him on the roundtable, but she focused on her menu as if entranced by the food choices instead of the seating arrangement. Determined to not give Anne another thought, he turned to Louisa who was already pestering him with questions.

  When Knightly arrived, Rick stood up immediately. The man was tall, taller than himself, and Rick noticed he didn’t wear a suit but wore a nice pair of slacks and a polo shirt. Rick inwardly grimaced, suddenly feeling overdressed, but plowed forward with the introductions as if nothing was wrong. He started with Louisa and went around the table--nearly stumbling on Anne’s name—and ended on Charles which segued into the real reason they were here.

  Mr. Knightly took over the conversation once they sat down and went over the details of the contract, explaining it in a manner where even Mary seemed happy about the conditions. He then grilled Charles over the state of his property but Charles handled the probing with ease and the two were soon laughing over a few jokes. The relaxed atmosphere spread throughout the whole table and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Even Anne seemed engaged and not withdrawn into that peaceful world of hers, laughing along with the others. Rick tried not to stare. He hadn’t seen this side of Anne in a long time. The old anger began to burn as if annoyed she’d share that lively side with anyone other than him.

  Irritated with himself, he turned to make sure he wouldn’t catch sight of her anymore, but as the meeting drew to a close, he made the mistake of looking forward—-and caught Anne with a perplexed look on her face. She gazed to his right as if stunned to see someone she hadn’t expected. Curious as to who had inspired such a reaction, he turned and found a man in a suit seated two tables over who raised his glass as if giving a salute. Rick glanced at Anne in time to see a flush spread across her cheeks and an embarrassed smile, but she nodded as if accepting the salute. Rick frowned, not sure he liked the silent exchange. A second later, Anne’s eyes jumped to Rick’s. He froze, not knowing what to do. But before his brain could decide, she’d dropped her gaze to her plate.

  Rick turned to check out the mysterious man again, but he was getting up, though his eyes stayed on Anne as if hoping she’d glance his way once more. Rick checked Anne and was shocked to find her staring at HIM, her chin tilted up and a look of triumph in her eyes as if bragging that any other man could get her attention, but never him.

  The old anger boiled inside and Rick averted his gaze. Whoever that man was, Rick decided he wouldn't like him.

  "I must go," Mr. Knightly announced. "I have a plane to catch in Hartford."

  Rick snapped to attention, realizing the meeting was adjourning. He'd been so distracted by Anne's mysterious admirer that he'd forgotten about the real reason he was here.

  "Thank you, Mr. Knightly," Charles said as Knightly rose. Rick rose to his feet as well.

  "No, thank you," Knightly said, shaking Charles' hand, "for allowing us access to your fine property. And thanks to Rick's keen eye," he clapped a hand on Rick's shoulder, "for discerning it would fit Emma's portfolio."

  Rick grinned. "Anytime."

  "And thanks for letting me meet your family and," he spread out his arms, "welcome to our family. Emma holds a Christmas party every year at her place in Virginia and I'm sure you'll be invited. It would be nice to see you all there if you're able to make it. Rick's been there and he can attest it's something to not be missed."

  "It's true."

  "Then we'll make an effort to go," Charles announced. His wife, however, grimaced, as if it was the last thing she wanted. Mr. Knightly must not have noticed since he happily waved goodbye and headed out of the restaurant.

  "Congratulations, Charles!" Rick said once Mr. Knightly had departed. "You're officially a part of the Woodhouse company!"

  "What happens now?" Mary asked. "When does the money start coming in?"

  He forced a polite smile. "Your property will be put into our system and in a few months, you'll start having guests sign up."

  "A few months?" Mary did not sound pleased.

  "The farmhouse isn't finished yet," Anne said as if that would explain everything.

  "What about you?" Louisa asked, leaning toward Rick. "Will we see you again? Or only at that party he mentioned?" The way she looked up at him made Rick squirm. Apparently, Louisa really liked him.

  "Uh," He glanced at Anne, hoping to see some sign of jealousy, but her attention was on her sister. Disappointed, he faced Louisa. "I'll have to come by and approve of the finished farmhouse so you'll see more of me."

  "Oh, good!" Louisa said. Rick hid a laugh. At least SOMEONE would be happy to see him. Too bad it wasn't the girl of his dreams. Not that Anne was that anymore.

  "I can't believe this is happening," Charles said, gripping his chair as if he was about to topple over. "Thank you for everything, Rick!"

  Rick laughed. "It was your place that sold the deal, not me."

  "But like Mr. Knightly said, you're the one that suggested it."

  "Well, it is MY job to do that!"

  "And what about my cruise?" Mary demanded like a haggling witch. Rick resisted rolling his eyes. Thankfully, her husband was in a better mood.

  "Yes, Mary, we'll go on that cruise. Anne, when are you available next?"

  "She's leaving?" He had started to think she never lived elsewhere except in a place to torment him.

  "She's supposed to leave for Boston tomorrow," Mary answered as if her sister planned on never coming back. "But you shouldn't go, Anne. Just stay here another two weeks and we'll leave tomorrow."

  "Mary, we can't leave tomorrow! I have the farmhouse to finish!"

  "But who knows where Anne will be in the next couple of months."

  "Let's discuss this outside?" Anne said, pushing both of them toward the exit of the restaurant.

  "How about we celebrate first!" Louisa announced, falling in step with Rick. "Go somewhere fun!"

  "What could be fun in Lyme?" Mary asked as if the town couldn't possibly offer sufficient entertainment.

  Charles looked at Rick. "You know the area, Rick. Have any recommendations?"

  Rick frowned, having no idea what would please all of them. Unless... "Well, if you don't mind driving a bit, I have a friend with a horse farm not too far away--"

  "A horse farm?" Louisa clapped her hands together and hopped. "Oh, we have to go! I LOVE horses!"

  "I don't like horses," Mary stated. Rick waited a moment for Anne's response, wondering if she was for or against the plan, but she remained quiet. Either she didn't care or wasn't going to voice her opinion. Probably both.

  "Let me see if he's available, then." Rick dialed his friend's number and took a few steps away for some privacy.

  "Rick!" A deep voice answered on the other end of the call. "Nearly dropped my phone when I saw it was you calling. What's the grand occasio
n?"

  "You'd never believe it, but I finally wandered into your part of the world."

  "No! You're in Connecticut?"

  "Even in Lyme."

  "Finally! Is Brandon with you?"

  "No, 'fraid he's back on the other side of the country again."

  "Ah, shucks. Would have been great to get the whole gang together again."

  "Yeah, that would have been fun. But I have a different gang with me right now--"

  "Don't tell me you've succumbed to dating someone at long last?"

  Rick forced a laugh. Of the three, only Harv couldn't understand Brandon and Rick's aversion to romance. But then, Harv loved romance. Or rather, he loved women, having been quite the player back in the day until he'd met his wife. Now he only doted on her and wanted his friends to have the same happy ending.

  "No," Rick said. "It's a friend I met about a week ago, but I'm sure you'll like him as much as I do. He also has his wife and sisters and..." Rick hesitated, not wanting to mention Anne. He'd only told Brandon about her, but Harv had picked up on enough hints to know a girl had broken his heart and Rick feared he'd figure out Anne was that girl. "And they'd be interested in seeing what you're doing with your horse farm these days," Rick decided to say and hoped Harv would assume Anne was a sister of Charles and no one important.

  "Wait, let me get this straight: you're bringing women? Any of them pretty?"

  "You're married, Harv,"

  "I wasn't talking about me!" he laughed. "One must have caught your eye, hasn't she?"

  "Are you going to let us come or you'd prefer to grill me to death?"

  "Ha, how about this: I come and pick you up? I've been running errands but am about to head back. I've got a giant of a van that should be able to handle this massive group of pretty ladies."

  "There's only three of them."

  "That's massive in your case. Where you at?"

  "At the Manor House Restaurant. Know the place?"

  "That fancy spot? You really have climbed up high, haven't you?"

  "Not that high."

  "I'll be there in ten."

  "Okay, see you then."

  Rick faced the group. "We're in luck! He's in actually in town, running errands. He's got a big van so he can pick us all up and take us over. He's heading over now."

  "A van?" Mary began as if about to object but Rick was ready for it.

  "It would be easier than us driving three cars over there."

  "And we can all sit together!" Louisa added, stationing herself next to Rick.

  "And Mary can have the front seat." Anne's soft voice spoke up, glancing at Charles and his sisters as if encouraging them to agree, which they readily did. Rick was rather impressed. She'd smoothed that fight over perfectly. But then, she had always a knack for defusing a situation, even learning how to calm his own anger. And why was he thinking about her good qualities again?

  "Have you ridden a lot of horses?" Louisa asked, thankfully providing some distraction from his thoughts.

  "A few times."

  "Maybe we could do a race?"

  "That would depend on my friend. His horses aren't bred for speed."

  "Oh? What are they bred for?"

  "My friend could explain it better than me. Oh, there he is." Rick waved as he saw the van coming toward him. The van pulled to the curb where they waited and the window rolled down to reveal Harv, a man in his thirties with a constant jolly look on his face. Harv was the kind of man that could be happy no matter what, even during a 36-hour drill in the mud.

  "Rick!" He waved, then his eyes jumped to Charles and the women and Rick tensed, afraid he might figure out about Anne. He had never described her, only mentioned her once by name, but Anne was a common name, so hopefully, Harv wouldn't figure it out. Rick didn't want the teasing. Not now.

  Harv's eyes jumped back to Rick and he winked. Rick froze, not knowing what that meant.

  "Welcome!" Harv called to the group. "So glad you can all come!"

  Not knowing what else to do, Rick started the introductions. "Everyone, this is my good friend, Harv. Harv, this is Charles, his wife, Mary," he pointed to Anne," her sister, and her sister-in-law," he swept his hand to Louisa who stood next to him, beaming with eagerness. He didn't dare look at Harv but kept his eyes on Louisa. Sophy had believed he liked Louisa; maybe Harv could believe the same thing.

  The group began to clamber into the vehicle. To help with his nerves, he focused on Mary and helped her into the front seat while everyone else piled into the back. As he closed the door, he looked into the back, noticing no empty seats around Anne. Not that he'd sit by her, anyway. Louisa had a very obvious open seat for him so he clambered into the van, but not without one more glance at Anne--and found her eyes on him. He immediately focused on Louisa, cursing himself for looking at Anne more than once. But it wasn't until he sat down that it dawned him that she had been looking at HIM! Was that supposed to mean anything?

  She was behind him so he couldn't check where her eyes lay now. Besides, she was probably only looking at him since he was getting in the car. A moving object attracts more attention than a non-moving object. See? He knew there was nothing to it.

  Chapter 12

  "So," Louisa began as Harv eased into the traffic, "Rick says your horses aren't bred for speed."

  "That's right. They're bred for therapy."

  "Therapy?"

  "Yeah, to help those suffering from PTSD."

  "PTS-what?" Mary asked with a wrinkle of her nose.

  "Post-traumatic-stress disorder," Rick explained. "It's a common ailment of veterans who have seen warfare."

  "Is it a disease?" Louisa asked.

  "If you get in a really bad situation," Harv said, "where your life is severely threatened, you can have a hard time moving past it. The incident can haunt you, causing you to have recurring nightmares as if you're back in that moment and you can't stop it. Sometimes, these nightmares can happen in the middle of the day, paralyzing your ability to function normally."

  "That sounds awful!" Louisa said. "But how do horses solve that? Do they chase them down?"

  Harv laughed. "No, horses are beautiful creatures that you can develop a good bond with. Working with a horse can help someone address their own horrors. It kind of gives the person a new perspective when working with their PTSD."

  "You can also work with dogs," Rick said.

  "Yeah, but I don't like dogs," Harv quipped. "Too noisy."

  "Horses and dogs both smell," Mary stated and Rick fought to hide his grin.

  About twenty minutes later, they pulled into Harv's place, a quaint farm with a rickety old farmhouse and a large barn behind it. Rick looked around, pleased. Harv was doing okay. Not making a fortune, but by the state of the place and its upkeep, he earned enough to keep the place in good condition. He had even made an addition to the barn and expanded to another pasture for the horses. The old farmhouse was the same, though. Hadn't improved on that. But then, Harv had bought the hold rickety thing because he liked its character. Rick doubted Harv would ever update the old building.

  As Harv got out of the van, Rick noticed he sported a new cane to help with his bad limp. Rick grinned, wondering if Harv's wife had to do with the new cane. Harv had insisted he'd never give up the stick he'd carved years ago, even after it began shedding slivers, but apparently, that hadn't lasted long. Harv's lip, however, hadn't seemed to improve. Then again, the doctors had never promised he'd fully recover from the explosion that shattered his leg.

  Rick followed everyone out of the van and Louisa automatically went toward the horses like a moth to a flame. The horses, however, weren't anywhere near as interested in the skinny, two-legged creature waving her spindly hands at them.

  "Have a look around while I haul some stuff into the house," Harv announced.

  "I'll help," Rick offered but Harv waved him away.

  "No, tend to your guests," he added a wink in the direction of the girls. Rick rolled his eyes and didn't press t
he issue. Harv may have a bad leg, but he had an even worse temper when someone tried to point out he had a disability. The man had to be dying before he'd accept help.

  "Use the hay," Harv said, pointing to a truck with a couple of bales of hay in it. Rick understood what he meant and tore out a few tufts of hay and handed some to Louisa. She excitedly held it out for the horses who were suddenly more interested in the two-legged creature and came trotting over. Charles and Mary hung back, a distinct look of disgust on Mary's face, but Rick offered the hay to them anyway. Mary refused at once and Charles, glancing at his wife, reluctantly refused the hay.

  Knowing Anne was left, he prepared to face her, perhaps even daring to start a conversation. However, to his surprise, he found her chatting with a young man. Even though he hadn't seen him in a few years, Rick recognized him instantly.

  "James Benwick!"

  James looked up, a friendly smile on his face, but most of it didn't reach his eyes, very much like Rick's friend, Brandon. The two had both experienced losing the love of their lives to death.

  "Hey, Rick. Haven't seen you in a while."

  "Been busy." Rick raised his hand and James clasped it, giving it a strong shake. "Still working around here, I see?"

  He shrugged. "It's a good place."

  "Rick!" Louisa called and he turned to see her petting one of the horses. "Can we get more hay?" She pointed at the hay in his hands, the hay he was going to give to Anne. He hesitated, not wanting to give up the hay to Louisa, but James suddenly bent down and pulled some of the grass at Anne's feet and offered it to her instead. Rick stared at the hay in his hands, wondering if she'd take it over James, but her hands reached for the grass. His hay now useless, he headed for Louisa and tried to pretend he didn't care.

  "These horses are wonderful!" Louisa said and Rick smiled in her direction, but his attention was behind him, on Anne. She remained with James, petting a horse. He wondered what they were talking about. Her back was to him but James seemed pleased with the conversation and James wasn't the type that enjoyed conversing with random strangers.