Eileen Richards | Interview: Mr. Nathaniel Matthews, Gentleman from AN UNEXPECTED WISH

Eileen: Mr. Matthews, welcome. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you.

Eileen: I know you are a busy man, so we will get started. Can you tell us more about yourself?

Nathaniel: I am the eldest of two sons. My mother died from consumption and my father—It is difficult to speak of it. He died from a hunting accident.

No, I must be honest. He put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger after wagering our entire fortune to Sir Walter Townsend.

Eileen: That must have been very difficult for you. What did you do?

Nathaniel: I was home from school at the time. I brought my brother here to Beetham. My maternal grandmother is Lady Danford of The Lodge. She took us in and made sure we got our education.

Once I was out of university, I set out to better our fortunes. I have a knack for picking investments.

Eileen: What about the man who caused this? Sir Walter? Did anything happen to him?

Nathaniel: He died several years later before I was able to exact revenge. His son, Sir John Townsend, seems bent to follow the same path as his father but without the luck his father had. He is currently in dun territory.

Eileen: You sound pleased with that fact.

Nathaniel: The man abandoned his sisters to the world with little money. He’s shown no honor in his deals with them or the moneylenders he’s chosen to borrow funds from. I believe he has reaped what he has sown.

Eileen: Tell us about first meeting Miss Townsend.

Nathaniel: (Nathaniel’s face softens). I was lost. I have a terrible sense of direction and had taken the wrong turn on the lane to The Lodge. She was standing there in a simple blue dress, her dark hair soft around her face. She looked like a sprite. I was enchanted.

Eileen: Miss Townsend claims that it was the result of the wish that brought you together. How do you feel about this?

Nathaniel: Miss Townsend does not know her own worth. While her looks don’t capture men’s attentions like her sisters, she is still beautiful. She is loyal, kind, and honest. She loves with her whole heart. I’m a very lucky man to claim her to wife.

Eileen: Was your courtship easy?

Nathaniel: (Nathaniel laughs) It was far from easy. Anne is stubborn, much more so than I. She refused to believe that any one would fall in love with her. I don’t know why? It was all I could do to keep my hands off of her and act the gentleman.

Eileen: There was this nasty business with the Vicar as well. I could have lost her for ever had his plans not been thwarted.

Nathaniel: Easy? Not by far.

Eileen: Do you think you’ll stay in Beetham after your marriage?

Nathaniel: I have promised Anne that her sisters would have seasons in London and the chance to find suitable husbands. As much as I dislike London, the young ladies have been cooped up here in Beetham for five long years. They should have their time to dance.

But during the summer, we will be here, in Beetham. I’m to inherit The Lodge.

Eileen: How has Miss Townsend changed your life?

Nathaniel: She has bought me great joy. I am glad we met here in Beetham. Had we been in London, she’d been to easily overlooked and I’m afraid I would have missed having her in my life.

Eileen: Do you believe in magic?

Nathaniel: Before meeting Anne Townsend, I did not think magic existed. Life was all about making money and rebuilding the family’s fortunes and reputation.

Now the only thing I know is something brought us together. Call it Providence. Call it magic, whatever you prefer. I’m just thankful it happened.

Eileen: Thank you for meeting with us, Mr. Matthews. We wish you every happiness.

About Eileen Richards

Eileen Richards has been writing for most of her life. Poetry, totally inappropriate answers to essay questions in school, and interesting error codes during her 30 year IT career has prepared her for the manic world of publishing. She writes sassy regency romps set in the small villages of England where the rules are bent a bit and gossip rules the day. Eileen resides with her husband and their diva of a greyhound in North Carolina.

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About AN UNEXPECTED WISH

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Anne Townsend doesn’t ask for much. Plain and poor, she’d settle for the funds to put food on the table. Making a wish on the fabled Fairy Steps is hardly a solid solution, but to see her two sisters taken care of, Anne’s willing to try anything. Yet when she finds herself suddenly surrounded with suitors, romance is now a possibility for the spinster everyone always ignored— except with the one man who will never want her…

Nathaniel Matthews has no time for courting. As the eldest, he has his family’s lost fortune to rebuild, and his reckless brother to manage before he gambles his future away. Odd that Nathaniel can think of little but kissing bright-eyed Anne, who seems to be fighting off admirers from all sides. Is it the country air, or is Nathaniel ready to discover that love has a magic all its own?