Page 63 of The Duke's Return
Every time he glanced toward his property and thought of Genevieve’s smile piercing his soul. Julian turned back toward the work.
“I don’t think we’ll get that sorted today,” Allen sighed as he stepped back from the lopsided wagon. “You can set the wheel down. Must be a devil of weight on your back.”
Shaking his head, Julian said, “I don’t mind. Let’s keep up the work. We aren’t done yet.”
“I am. It’s time for tea with the wife. You can join us if you like.”
“That’s all right. I can continue here myself, then. Perhaps I’ll have it sorted before you return,” he decided.
But then Allen came around, shoving the wheel away so he was forced to take the weight off. The man wiped his hands with a glower. “Are you mad? You’ve already done the work of two men. That’s enough. I can’t have you hurting yourself here; I refuse to be at fault should something happen to you. If you’re so desperate, do that elsewhere.”
“That’s not what I’m looking for,” Julian countered. “Nor do I want to hurt myself. Only I think we can do some more work.”
“And I said you’re done. What has you all aflutter, hm? Avoiding something? Someone?” The man added with a stern look.
It was such a fatherly gesture that Julian found himself growing apologetic. Straightening up, he wiped his hands on a filthy handkerchief. He cleared his throat. “You’re right. My apologies, Allen. You know what is best here. I suppose I’m only grateful I could be of assistance and wish to do more.”
“The best thing you can do for us is finalize those contracts and make sure we have what we need, Your Grace. And perhaps you should join us for tea. You must be as thirsty as I am.”
“I suppose so.”
Allen nodded with a knowing look. “My wife keeps the house neat and tidy as I tend the farm. It’s hard work for the lot of us. But we do what we must in this life with the lots we have. Thankful I am for my wife. Life is much better with one, wouldn’t you agree?”
Unable to help himself, Julian snorted. “That’s why I’m in this muddle.”
He thought about explaining more before halting. Inhaling deeply, he glanced warily at Allen while looking for a better explanation. He didn’t need anyone else thinking there were issues between him and his wife. That wouldn’t look well on him from any angle.
“I mean––”
“You mean you’re being a fool,” Allen told him. “You’re only in a muddle because you’re fighting it.”
That made Julian stop. “You don’t even know…”
“I’ve been married for over thirty years, Your Grace.” Putting on a pair of spectacles, Allen couldn’t appear wiser than he did now. “I know a thing or two about marriages. No matter your class, it’s all the same. A partnership. You’re wasting your time complaining and dawdling about whatever the issue is because I think you already know."
"Know what?"
Allen shrugged. "I don’t know. But you’ll sort it out.”
After Julian joined the Fentworth couple for a simple tea and biscuits that day, he took off toward his estate. The household was bewildered to find him covered in filth, but readily prepared a bath for him.
He washed up slowly as he thought about his morning with Allen. The man clearly knew much about farming as well as marriage. It was another example for Julian to see a doting couple. He’d almost felt embarrassed a time or two seeing them together. They were clearly in love between their playful berating’s and support for one another.
And then there were Allen’s words.
Stop fighting it. Stop fighting what. Fighting Genevieve? What if she is fighting it too? She is certainly fighting me on occasion. Or is that part of the problem? But then that would make me the problem…
CHAPTER 24
Genevieve wandered about her bed chamber the morning after the charity soiree while waiting for her breakfast tray to be brought up.
It didn’t sit well with her, how last night had ended.
She should have said something. So should have Julian. But since she couldn’t control what he did, at least she could try to manage this herself. As she went back and forth about her options, Genevieve dressed and ate before finally gathering her courage.
Around she went into the hall toward his bed chamber. There, she paused to knock.
And then she waited.
