Page 115 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“What exactly is the problem here, gentlemen?” she asked.

The arguing began again, though with less persistence. She shushed them like a governess would do with a child. Begrudgingly, they quietened again. Theo would have found himself amused had he not been so baffled by the whole process. Apparently, the young Miss Jameson had these men in her thrall. Even if the farmers did not know who he was, he would have expected them to recognize a gentleman and behave accordingly. It seemed Miss Jameson’s presence outranked anything he could offer.

“He’s not been looking after his fence again,” Mr. Finnigan grumbled.

Mr. Smith blew out a breath and threw his hands in the air. “I damned well know how to look after a fence. It’s not my fault the animal is so clever and can outwit an idiot like you.”

“That pig, Miss Jameson, has caused no end of trouble. She got into my vegetable patch and nearly demolished it.”

Miss Jameson put hands to her hips. She peered up at Mr. Finnigan. “And how is the fencing around your vegetable patch?”

The man’s cheeks reddened. “It is…adequate…”

“I think this is best solved with new fencing all around.” She turned her attention to Mr. Smith. “And that means bringing in someone else to do the fencing. The both of you. Then we shall have no more escapes and no more vegetables eaten.”

“But…” Mr. Smith began, but Miss Jameson held up a finger.

“This will solve both of your problems. We need to make certain both of your fences are extremely sturdy. Then no one need worry about pigs or any vegetables going missing? Do they?” She smiled sweetly at them both, her tone almost sickly.

Theo shook his head to himself. Perhaps it was not just her looks that worked on them. Apparently, she had quite a way with these rough farmers in general. From the looks of the fences, the best solution was certainly to build new ones. He tugged his hat off briefly and shoved a hand through his hair and replaced it before stepping forward.

“Perhaps I can help with the fences.”

All three people turned toward him, as though they had not noticed his presence at all. He should be annoyed, and he was still not quite certain how to take the fact that Miss Jameson was dealing with estate business entirely without his aid, but there was something quite nice about not having to be the person fixing the problems for a change. After all, he spent plenty oftime dealing with the arguments between his siblings. The last thing he needed to be doing was fixing arguments between tenant farmers.

“You?” Miss Jameson’s eyes widened.

Theo nodded. “I’m quite handy when the time calls for it, Miss Jameson. Be assured, I can make a fence sturdy enough to hold back the most determined of pigs.”

Mr. Smith tugged of his hat and scrunched it in his hands. “My Lord,” he said. “We did not realize it was you.”

Mr. Finnigan’s eyes widened. “Aye, we did not recognize you.”

Somehow, Theo did not think even if they had recognized him it would have helped his cause in ending their argument. Miss Jameson had a magic touch, it seemed. He ran his gaze briefly over her, taking in the slight pink in her cheeks and her still determined stance. She certainly did not look any older than nineteen, but her attitude was unlike that of any other nineteen-year-old he had ever met. And he had met many. They were flung at him constantly by thetonin the hopes of them becoming wife number two. They knew nothing of real life. Nothing of the pressures that came along with being the wife of a marquis.

Miss Jameson, however…

He threw away the thought as soon as it entered his mind. Miss Jameson was his ward and a young girl. As capable as she might be, he had no right to think such thoughts.

“So, will you show me where these fences need fixing?” It was no lie, he was good with his hands. When he was a boy, he enjoyed making all sorts of things. Although it had been some time, he was confident that he could create a far better fence than either of these two old men. Not to mention, it would get him out of the house and enable him to avoid Miss Jameson for a while. That could be no bad thing at all.

Particularly when his admiration for her seemed to be growing.

Chapter Five

Lucy ducked back behind the curtain as Lord Eastbrook glanced up at her from the gardens. She blew a curl from her face and rolled her eyes at herself. What had her life come to? She had lived in this house for six years, and now, she was hiding from visitors. She twisted to face Lizzie, who was diligently putting away the remaining pins that had not been used in her hair. “Do you know who those men are?”

Lizzie joined her at the window, peering out to spot the two visitors who were currently accompanying Theo around the gardens.

“Oh yes, that is Mr. Barton. The family lawyer. I have not seen him for many years.”

She squinted at the balding man. Yes, she supposed she did recognize him now. It had been a long time since she had seen Mr. Barton, but he had been involved when Lucy became the marquis’s ward.

“What about the other man?” Lucy asked.

Lizzie shrugged. “He is handsome, though. Perhaps the marquis intends him to be for you.” Lizzie giggled. “He does look your age after all.”

A heavy weight dropped into her stomach, sinking like a rock in the ocean. Oh no, was this it? Was this when Lord Eastbrook told her that she was to be married or introduced to new men or sent away to London and brought out into society?Perhaps the lawyer was here to arrange a marriage contract? Perhaps this was the man with whom she was to be married?

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