A Man For All Seasons Read Online Free

but beneath the wrapper lay a treasure trove of undiscovered goodies. She was a good person.
    He picked up his cutlet and saluted her. “Second best.”
    He was rewarded with a small smile that washed away the accumulated layers of fatigue and set his hormones on fire.
    Walter Driscoll guffawed loudly. “Well said, old chap!”
    Mercifully, conversation resumed and the moment passed. The remaining meal passed without incident and by the time they reached dessert, Chad felt he'd had his fill. But when the pert young maid reappeared bearing a black cherry cheesecake, he decided it would be rude to refuse.
    The first mouthful exploded with tangy flavors. The creamy texture melted like candy floss in his mouth.
    He felt, rather than saw, her eyes upon him.
    Seraphim leaned forward a little in her seat. “Do you like it?”
    Like it? It was, quite simply, a slice of heaven. His thoughts swung briefly back to the menu back home. He swallowed. “It's beaut.”
    Walter Driscoll piped up. “My daughter's not just a pretty face. She cooks like the angel she's named after. Barry's a lucky man.”
    Seraphim blushed softly. “Don't be silly Daddy, it's only cheesecake.”
    The blush undid him entirely. She was engagingly modest too. What a women! But then Wally's words wafted back to him and he deflated like a flat tyre. Damn it. Barry was a lucky sod, the great blimp. He eyed him none too kindly. What did she see in him anyway? Despite his six-foot frame, Barry had the pious, earnest air of newly ordained Pope. Only younger.
    An enormous grandfather clock mournfully chimed the hour. Chad counted carefully. It was ten. He couldn't believe they'd been at dinner for over two hours. What a waste of time. At home meals were eaten because one was hungry. None of this idle chitchat.
    He glanced at Seraphim who was engaged in conversation with Barry. Viewed in profile, he could enjoy the long, slender neck and the soft curved line of her jaw and he cheered up. The view in his own dining room was nowhere as rewarding.
    Finally coffee was done. Chad had reached the stage where he longed for bed but couldn't summon the energy to move. He felt quite content to sit and listen to Seraphim's sweet voice and bask in the occasional smile she sent his way.
    Wally woke him from his fugue. “Chad, why don't you go out for a ride with Miffy in the morning? The forecast is good.”
    Chad struggled. Who the hell was Miffy?
    “That's a super idea, Daddy,” said Seraphim eagerly. She looked at Chad. “I could take you down to the river.”
    Chad's heart leapt in delight. Miffy must be Walter's pet name for his daughter.
    Seraphim turned to her fiancé. “Why don't you come too, darling?”
    Chad held his breath. Barry's small mouth puckered up in distaste. “No, no, I don't think so. Far too cold for starters.”
    Chad suppressed a large cheer. “That'd be great,” he told her. A spot of exercise would be just the thing to blow off the cobwebs, to say nothing of Seraphim's exclusive company.
    Wally beamed a smile. “All settled then. I'll get one of the staff to knock on your door at six. It doesn't begin to get light until nearly seven, so that'll give you time to look around the yard and choose a mount.”
    Shortly thereafter Chad made his excuses and trundled up the long flight of stairs and, after a few false starts, into his room. Wearily he cleaned his teeth and attired in just his boxer shorts, then collapsed into bed. He thought he'd fall asleep immediately, but his brain went into hyper drive.
    Left to his own devises he couldn't help but worry. He'd never been away from home for longer than a weekend before. How were they managing? Had any of the mares foaled? Had it rained? Had Jimmy Farthing been making a pain of himself? How was The Huntsman? Finally, with gargantuan effort, he put the brakes on. After all, he'd left the phone number with Chin. They were good blokes. They'd do fine.
    But then his thoughts turned to Seraphim. Miffy. He