Page 55 of Drowned in the Pleasure of a Devilish Baron
The child swept her the most elegant bow as he took it from her and tucked it carefully away.
“Of course, Miss,” he said, his small chest puffed up with pride.
“Have you got something for me?” she asked hopefully.
All of the air went out of him like a balloon, and he hung his head. “One of the mares was feeling poor yesterday. Mr. James had me stay the night here in the stables so I could keep an eye on her. I’m dreadfully sorry.”
She put a hand on his thin shoulder. “Not to worry. You have been such a help to me, truly. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your help. And you are putting so much at risk! You are a true gentleman.”
At her words, he lifted his head and a smile began to creep back across his face.
“There now,” she said, ruffling his hair. “That’s better.”
“I won’t let you down today, Miss,” he swore. “I’ll get this letter to Lady Cunningham no matter what happens.”
Before she could reply, they both heard footsteps approaching, and Mr. James speaking to one of the horses as he led her in, though they could not make out the words. She gave his shoulder a squeeze and backed away hastily, exiting the stables right as the stable hand was approaching the door.
“Good morning, Miss,” he greeted as she passed by.
“Good morning, Mr. James.” And she was back inside, her mind on the note to Juliet and what response she might receive in return, something she could use to stop the idea of this marriage.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“They’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Felix said in awe, staring across the perfectly planted vines, stretching across his fields as far as the eye could see.
Leonard laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “They are a wonder, aren’t they?”
Felix could not tear his eyes away from them. Here, before him, was his future. This land, the fruit of their labor, would enable him to walk tall into the Marlow home, and to ask for Sarah’s hand in marriage as a true man, one who could provide for her all the rest of her days.
The threatening letters of the past few days were far from his mind, especially after not receiving one the day before, but he had still instructed Harriet to have any mail brought to him directly, and at once, should anything arrive. If she had been surprised at the request, she showed no sign of it.
Dubois joined them, once more swigging from his flask, as good a sign as any that things were on their way to success. “The beer and mead is doing well also.” He lifted his flask in a toast. “Very well done.”
“What are they planting there?” Felix gestured to the end of the rows, where small plants were being dug into the soil with far less care than the vines had been.
“Turnips.”
“Am I to farm turnips now as well?” Felix laughed. “This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
Dubois sighed heavily. “No, monsieur. The turnips are so we do not have to leave the land without planting every few years. They take the nutrients, even in the winter, and help the vines to grow. No time to waste, no years without grapes. Perfection.”
Felix did not fully understand what he meant, but was happy to leave the details to the expert.
Emboldened by the day’s success, and the prospect of a bright future, he wrote and sent a letter to John. He detailed that he had some news to share, some prospects to discuss, and asked to come for tea the following day to speak with him and to see Sarah.
It was late afternoon on the day of rest. After the turnips had been planted, the workers had left, along with Dubois, to take the rest of the day off. Leonard had returned home, saying he had a large shipment coming up that he wanted to check on. Felix had taken this chance to overlook the progress without being underfoot.
As requested, a maid found him in the fields to hand him his mail—a stained and dirty letter.
His brows drew together.
Glad for the privacy of his open fields, and hoping it was not more of the same previous threats, he tore it open and began to read.
Have you not yet learned?Stay away from things that are not yours to have. There will be consequences if you do not.
Felix dropped the sheet to his side and looked up at the sky.
This is interesting. It’s back to the first message. Stay away from what is not mine to have? But what would not be mine to have?
