Page 32 of The Devil Himself
Luc pulled back enough to look at him, eyebrows high. “That’s decadent.”
“Indeed. Load a plate, my dear. I shall teach you about decadence and the true devil’s playground.” With Luc in bed with him, he might just be the happiest devil on earth.
Thirteen
“Will there be anything else, my lord?” His man of affairs, Finley, closed the account book he had brought with him to Rys’s study, giving him an inquiring glance.
“I think that covers my accounts, Finley. Thank you for going out of your way to come here to meet with me.”
“I’m just so very pleased you’re on the mend, my lord. I was very concerned when I heard you had been injured.”
“Thank you, Finley. And I also appreciate your discretion in this matter.”
“You are a very good employer, my lord. I would not put that at jeopardy.” Finley’s eyes had gone wide, his cheeks pink.
“I’m glad you find that the case.” Luc stood, his arm barely twinging now. Thank God.
Finley rose as well, then stopped, snapping his fingers. “Oh, I meant to tell you, my lord. I thought you would want to know. I heard through the network of my associates that one of the Hallowarren holdings is being sold.”
“The devil you say.” He thought about that. “Which one?”
“Wyddan Abbey.”
“Never say so!” He had traveled there with Owen many times, and it was one of the original seats of the marquess’s line, situated in Wales. “Isn’t it entailed?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“How is it being offered?”
“Through an estate agent. Discreetly, but on the wide market nonetheless. It’s caused a buzz.”
“Ask for a hold for your employer. I need to speak to Lord Grey.”
“Of course, my lord. Right away. Shall I put down a deposit if it is required?” One of Finley’s eyebrows winged up.
“Yes.” He was not going to let Daffyd and Arthur sell off something so important to the Hallowarren title. Gareth had a right to that property. And it wasn’t done to sell a property entailed to the title without permission from the crown.
“Very good, my lord. I shall see to it sharply.”
“Thank you, Finley. I depend upon you.”
Finley left, ducking out the servant’s entrance in the back so as not to be seen.
And he went looking for Rys, who had kindly vacated his study so Luc could have his meeting. He encountered the butler first.
“Ah, Jarvis. Have you seen Lord Rys?”
“He is in the billiard room, my lord.”
“Thank you, Jarvis.”
“Shall I send tea?” Jarvis asked.
“And biscuits. My news will go down better that way.” He had a terrible sweet tooth, and Rys did not, but Rys adored cinnamon biscuits.
“Right away, my lord.” Jarvis gave him a small smile before setting off. He rather thought the fellow approved of him. That was fine, because Luc did have Rys’s best interests at heart.
He made his way to the billiard room on the second floor, his arm throbbing a little by the end of the climb. Honestly, if that was the worst of it, he would take it.
