Chapter 18
Jonathan gradually worked his way through the throng, unobtrusively approaching his quarry. When he reached his goal, he eased the conversation around to farming techniques and the possibility of Nick’s visit, as if this had only just occurred to him.
“A very good notion,” that gentleman said warmly. “That would be very amenable of you, sir. He’s a good boy and often shows more interest about the place than his older brother.” This was said with a rueful, amused shrug before continuing, “It would be an opportunity for him to learn a few new ways and bring them back for us to use ourselves,” he said jocularly.
Jonathan gave no signal of how delighted he was at such an easy agreement to his plan to have Nick close by him for as long as could be contrived. In fact, he was so distracted by this happy event and so keen to tell Nick as soon as possible, that he almost missed a minor social and romantic disaster.