Page 54 of The Heiress Gets a Duke
He went silent as they rode on toward the next farm. She had to admit that she had never imagined the need was sogreat, or that it even really extended past his family. He was clever to bring her here. The Armstrongs had put a face on the very real human need, and it was hard to ignore. It wouldn’t make her change her mind about her own future, but it worked to soften her stance toward him. He was no longer a simple fortune hunter. He was a man determined to help the people who depended upon him. It was admirable. He was admirable.
“How did you learn so much about farming? From your brother?”
He shook his head, his eyes fixed on the house in the distance, another tenant farmer and his family out in the field. “I wish I could say that we had not let the matter drop, but we both did. After Father died and I learned the true state of our affairs, I knew that something had to be done. I have spent the past year studying modern farming methods.”
“I think you’ve done an admirable job so far.”
He glanced at her in surprise and shook his head again. “No, William would be much more suited to the task.”
She opened her mouth to offer some consolation, but he clicked his tongue and urged his horse forward to greet the next farmer, who was already making his way toward them. This meeting commenced in a similar vein as the last. This farm and the one next to it were smaller in scope, and the houses were built close together, so they rode immediately for the next one.
“If these visits are intended to demonstrate financial need, then I believe you have proven your point,” she said as they left the last family.
“You have had enough?” His smile was slow, like that of someone who had revealed the worst about himself and come out the other side surprised to still be intact.
She nodded. “We’ve been gone well over an hour. My parents are possibly worried.”
“Possibly, but not likely,” he teased.
She laughed, conceding his point. “You’re right. They would let you take me to the ends of the earth with barely a complaint. At any rate, I do not need to see more. I ammore concerned with the question of your plan to move forward.”
He was silent as he guided them to the path that would take them along the river again and back home. Finally, he said, “A plan without funding is no real plan, but yes, I have a plan. Would you like to see it?”
“Yes, I believe I would. I could potentially offer some suggestions. I know little about farming, but I know something of business and investment planning. I could take a look and offer advice.”
“By all means. I have an appointment to meet with my estate manager this afternoon. Join us.”
She smiled, having anticipated his gracious refusal of her help. “Truly?”
“Yes. I would be mad to refuse.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because while I have been humbled this past year, I have the good sense to recognize someone with sensible business acumen. I would not turn away any suggestions you have.”
This was a new sort of flattery and one she was not at all immune to. Her heart flickered like a wild thing in her chest, and she had to take several breaths to calm herself.
“Then yes, I will join you.”
The smile stayed on her face the entire ride back to Charrington Manor. By the light of the full sun, the great house had a charm that she hadn’t noticed the day before. It was rather Gothic, but in an old-world charm sort of way, rather than the overwhelming intimidation that she had felt the day before. If houses could have personalities, and she was convinced that some could, this one would be a benevolent grandfather who had been quite charming in his day. With a new roof, new plaster, and a good scrubbing, the stones might take on a creamier tone rather than the grimy gray streaked with oxidized green.
“You are smiling,” he remarked as they rode toward the stable.
The stable boy came running out to hold her reins steady as Rothschild dismounted and came around to help herdown. A little flutter of pleasure in her belly reminded her of her awareness of him when his hands gripped her waist. Using his strong shoulders for leverage, she allowed him to help her down. It was entirely decent but indecent at the same time. Countless stable hands and grooms had helped her dismount before, but their touch had felt cold and distant. Then again, theirs had never lingered on her waist like his.
“Thank you.” Her voice trembled the tiniest bit as she stared up at him. There was a new depth to his eyes that she hadn’t noticed before. “I am smiling, because I like the idea of helping you.”
“Indeed?” His brow raised attractively. “I thought you rather enjoyed the idea of thwarting me.”
“Can’t one do both?” she teased.
“When one is named August, perhaps she can.”
At the use of her name, she automatically looked for the boy, but he had already led their horses inside without her even noticing. Not that it mattered if he heard. Her parents would be thrilled if they knew Rothschild had used her name. Instinctively, she glanced toward the house, thinking to find them watching from a window. However, the stable faced away and was at the peak of a gentle slope, so they were blocked from view. The situation gave her an idea.
“Do you plan to kiss me now?” Lord help her, but she wanted him to. She had decided that she would enjoy each and every kiss that he gave her this week, even if she did plan to thwart his goal of marriage. It was indeed possible to do both.
He smiled, a big one that showed all his teeth and made her fixate on his lips. “Are you wanting to have it done with for the day?” he asked.
