Page 14 of The Tantalizing of a Scandalous Rake

“You know, you really should hire some additional help,” Adam commented. “You look exhausted.”

She twisted and leaned back against the kitchen worktop. “And here I thought you were supposed to be quite the charming gentleman.”

His lips quirked. “Even exhausted, you are beautiful—but you already knew that.”

Rosie rolled her eyes. “I have been looking after a patient, in case you have forgotten. On top of running an inn.”

“You shall forever have my gratitude, but why do you not hire additional help?”

“Because it will not last forever.”

His brow creased.

“The interest, the people visiting to see me. Either they will lose interest, sales of the book will go down or I shall age. And I shall have based my business on a need that no longer exists.”

“Or you will simply grow more beautiful with age and you will have expanded the inn to such a stage that it will be known across England, whether you are the Beauty of Buttermere or not.” He set down his fork and leaned back in the chair.

“Oh, forgive me, I did not realize brothers of marquises had superior business knowledge.” She drew another chair to the table and sat in front of him, her elbows to the table, her chin on her hands. “Do tell me all you know, good sir.”

Adam chuckled. “You mock me because my wealth was not earned but one does not keep several expensive estates running and a family in comfort with no mind for business.”

“You are saying you have a hand in your brother’s affairs?”

He lifted both shoulders then winced. “Alex is no fool in business, but I have a mind for investments.”

“Speculations you mean.”

“Investments,” he said firmly. “It is only a speculation if one does not know it will make money.”

“And I suppose you know precisely where you can make money.”

“I know your inn would be a wise investment. With a touch of homely comforts and better ale, you would be the preferred stop in Buttermere.”

Rosie tried not to bristle at the criticism. It was true that the furnishings in the guest rooms were simple but the guests she housed were not known to take good care of them. It seemed foolish to invest in something better. As for the ale, she had been using the same supplier that her parents had and there were no complaints before. However, her pride did not override her interest in what he had to say. Sometimes one needed an outside view to see where one was going wrong.

However, she had no desire to admit he was correct. He did not need to have his ego inflated any more than it already was.

“Why are you running an inn anyway?” he asked. “You could be married and living the life of a wealthy woman.”

“A wealthy,marriedwoman,” she pointed out. “With all her wealth tied to her husband.” She shook her head. “I prefer my independence, thank you. Besides, I promised my parents I would keep this inn running and I would never betray that promise.”

He nodded, as though he would feel the same but how could a man with all this wealth and privilege and good looks be counted on to stick to a promise? “Your parents are...”

“Alive but retired. They moved to the coast of Dorset for the air. My mother suffers bouts of illness and we deemed it best they move.”

“So this survival of this inn is down to you and you alone?”

“Indeed.”

He nodded. “Well, will you at least accept some aid with those vegetables?”

She blinked a few times, taking a moment to register the question. A lord, offering to aid her with something so menial? Could that be right? “I suppose...” She scowled. “But your wound...”

“I feel the need to move or else I shall seize up entirely. And I cannot lie around knowing you are working here by yourself.”

Good grief, the man had a conscience. She almost rather he was back to being arrogant and an annoyance. If he continued this way, she might very well end up liking him.

Chapter Six

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