Page 55 of My Best Friend's Earl
“I agree. No insipid poisons or clean shot at dawn.” Caro nodded.
“Connie, have I mentioned how terribly fond I am of your cousins?” Althea grinned as she gathered her things. “I reallymust be going though. Your Graces, thank you for your hospitality. Miss McCrae, it was a pleasure to see you again. Oliver and Constance, I’ll be in touch soon.” She crossed to the sofa and kissed Connie’s cheek, then nodded to Southwyn.
When she’d left, Dorian cleared his throat. “Betsy wrote this week. She mentioned for the second time, apparently, a property near her that’s for sale. The owners decided to immigrate to America. They have family there already and, according to gossip, have been considering a move for several years. It’s not a lot of land, but a nice house with an established garden plot and orchard. This damnable weather convinced them they won’t have a harvest this season, so they’re selling now.”
Beside her, Southwyn’s attitude sobered even more. “My estate managers aren’t optimistic about our harvests, either. The situation is growing dire. People are scared. Unfortunately, I expect we’ll hear about more farmers choosing to sell or leave and try their luck elsewhere rather than starve.”
The bleakness of Southwyn’s voice made Constance study his profile. Was this what he’d been referring to when he said he could either have her, or condemn those who depended on him? Their conversation had veered away before she asked for clarification, so she didn’t understand the intricacies of the situation. At her side, Constance’s hand twitched with the need to comfort him somehow.
“I worry that this may escalate to a famine if Mother Nature doesn’t smile on us soon,” Southwyn added.
“Famineis a terrifying word. Are your people in awful danger, then?” Caro asked.
The duke must have wondered the same thing. “If you need help weathering this season, just say the word.”
Southwyn shook his head, but the smile he offered Dorian was halfhearted. “I should be able to meet theneeds of the properties and tenants, but it means making… sacrifices.” The hand on Gingersnap tensed, then resumed petting. Constance knew, without him saying explicitly, a relationship with her was one of those things he had to sacrifice. Why exactly, she wasn’t sure. But it was clear he believed it to be true.
“If it comes down to my pride or my people, you know I’ll ask for aid,” Oliver reassured them.
“I will hold you to that. In the spirit of anticipating happier times, I’d value your opinion on this property. If the price is right, you could live a short ride from our cottage. I might buy it anyway and lease it, even if it’s not to you.”
“Are you offering to be my landlord?” Oliver laughed, and the sound was such a welcome thing, Connie couldn’t stop her smile.
“It’s an idea.” Dorian shrugged. “I thought we’d take a drive to Kent in a few days and look at it. Caro and I are dying to get out of the city and check on the cottage.”
Caro sighed wistfully. “I would love to go home, even if just for a short while. Now that Nathan is here and we’re both healthy, perhaps we can start splitting our time between there and London. Connie, Hattie, do you want to come along and keep me company? I’ve never traveled with an infant and could use a few more hands. Especially if the men are out tromping through muddy fields.”
“You go, Connie. I’ll watch the shop,” Hattie suggested.
“Yes! It’s decided then. Besides, Georgia would love to see you if we stop and visit Betsy while we’re nearby.”
Apparently, she was going to Kent soon. Constance glanced at Southwyn, who shrugged.
“I need to meet with my banker tomorrow and discuss my options for the estates. But after that, I’m available,” he said.
Dorian stood. “Excellent. Shall we plan on leaving before the week’s end? Let’s go to my study, so I can show you the letter. I think I have a map of the area somewhere.”
Southwyn placed Gingersnap beside Connie and joined his friend. She immediately missed his warmth when the men departed.
Finally, it was just her and her cousins. The memory of how uncomfortable it had been to walk in and see them all gathered without her made Connie hesitant to ask about whatever she’d interrupted.
In her arms, Nathaniel let loose an adorable squeaky grunt, followed by a significantly less cute odor. “Darling, your son needs his nappy changed.”
Caro gathered the baby and left.
Turning to Hattie, Constance asked, “What are the chances of you telling me why you were all here without me?”
Hattie widened her eyes in faux innocence. “I have no idea what you mean.”
Constance heaved a sigh. Prying information from Hattie was damn near impossible. The woman was a vault—secrets went in and never left her lips unless she decided they served a purpose.
Gingersnap crawled back onto her lap and gazed up at her, satisfied now that she was free of the baby.
Maybe she could finagle a way for Dorian to ride in Southwyn’s carriage, while she accompanied Caro and the baby. Then they’d have a couple of hours to talk. “I think I might use the drive to Kent to ask Caro about becoming an official partner at Martin House. Is that all right with you, or would you prefer to be present?”
“Tell her what you told me. Then maybe the three of us could sit down when you return.”
Constance agreed, but the awkward gathering she’d stumbled upon when she arrived nagged at her. “Whatever that was you all were doing when I interrupted… should I be concerned?”
