Page 59 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“I am.” He gave a crisp nod. “I have a keen interest in acquiring the collection. Especially Andrew’s research.”
“I’m sorry, but my grandfather’s books and papers are quite precious to me. I could not possibly part with them.”
“This... this is what matters to you.” Mr. Neville pointed his cane toward her camera. “Not volumes of research that have no meaning to you. Of course, I would be willing to compensate you. The price I have in mind is most generous.”
“I cannot put a monetary value on my grandfather’s journals and papers.”
“Your grandfather did not intend that his library would sit behind the walls of this house and collect dust. It belongs in the hands someone who can make use of it.” Despite his otherwise bland expression, his eyes glimmered with a look of pure calculation. “I have delivered an offer to your solicitor. You shall find it most generous.”
“Mr. Neville, I am afraid you’ve wasted your time.”
He pinned her with his gaze. “Allow me to be blunt. I have my doubts that you possess the funds needed to fully restore this house. Without the compensation I am offering you, I cannot envision that you will manage to preserve it.”
She squared her shoulders and met his steely gaze. “That is not a matter of your concern.”
“You are mistaken, Miss Mason. What happens to this house is very much my concern. I presume you are aware of its history.”
“Of course. Grandfather spoke in great detail about the generations of our family who’d lived within its walls.”
“Lived.” He tapped the walking stick against the lowest step. “And died.”
Was that a note of warning?
Or a threat?
Macie’s senses responded in instinctive awareness. Suddenly, she needed to flee his presence. She wanted to be far away from this man who’d offered a jovial expression but was not what—or likely whom—he’d claimed to be.
“I appreciate that you’ve come to pay your respects to my grandfather.” She held her voice steady. “But I must be getting back to my work. Good day, sir.”
“I shall be on my way.” He met her dismissal with a glare. “But not yet.”
“I would not like to be discourteous, but I must ask you to take your leave.”
His fingers tightened around the head of his walking stick. “Andrew Bennington indulged the women in his life.” His words sounded flat with an effort of restraint. “His wife. Your mother. And now,you.”
Indulged.The word stung like a slap. Macie hiked her chin and met his icy stare. The man’s civil mask had not slipped. It had fallen away, leaving behind a look of clear contempt.
“Mr. Neville, I must insist that you go.”
“You would be wise to consider my offer.” He tapped his cane in a distinct rhythm against the pavement. “Perhaps I’ll simply bide my time. Talk about town has it that your father has no intention of pouring hard-earned funds into Bennington Manor. It won’t be long until you can no longer maintain the house. Then I shall purchase this place for a pittance.”
“How dare you?” Anger heated her cheeks, but she summoned the will to hold her voice steady. “I cannot fathom why my grandfather would have associated with the likes of you. I have grave doubts that you even knew him.”
“I have no desire to deceive you, Miss Mason.” He leaned heavily on the cane. “I’m too bloody old for games. I knew your grandfather. Quite well, indeed. Perhaps I shall buy the house and everything in it. I would be doing you and your family a favor.”
“Leave, Mr. Neville.” She bit the words between her teeth. “Now.”
“When the time comes—and I assure you, it will—your solicitor will know how to reach me.” He regarded her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. “Believe me when I say you’d be better off far from this place.”
As Macie’s gaze trailed Hiram Neville’s coach, the hair at her nape rose. Eachclompof his carriage horse pulling the conveyance away from Bennington Manor eased more tension from her body.
My, what an abrasive man. Why had her jovial, good-natured grandfather associated with such a flinty-eyed weasel?
She pulled in a calming breath. Then another. Turning back to her camera, she caught sight of Finn’s approach. His brisk strides made short work of the distance between them.
As he neared her, his brow furrowed. “Who in blazes was that man?”
“He claims an acquaintance with my grandfather.”
