Page 12 of A Rogue to Resist
“Indeed,” Katherine replied, opening her portfolio. “Though I suspect we both know the primary matter that brings us here.”
“The western fields,” he said simply.
Katherine’s spine straightened. She had expected this, of course, had prepared for it, but hearing him state it so directly still sent a chill through her.
“You’ve discovered the boundary discrepancy,” she said steadily, meeting his gaze.
“The Millbrook stream—the actual legal boundary according to the 1680 deed—now runs nearly a quarter-mile east of where the markers stand.” His tone was matter-of-fact, neither accusing nor apologetic. “I assume you’ve been aware of this issue for some time.”
Katherine lifted her chin slightly. “I’ve been managing the risk since I discovered it in Edmund’s papers three years ago. I had hoped the new earl might be too preoccupied with other matters to notice such details immediately.”
A flicker of what might have been amusement crossed his features. “I’m nothing if not thorough, Lady Katherine.”
James shifted forward, his expression darkening. “Lord Greythorne, my sister’s settlement was legally established and witnessed—”
“I’m not questioning the settlement itself, Your Grace,” Lord Greythorne interrupted smoothly. “Merely the boundaries of what was settled. The markers may have been placed in good faith, but if they were positioned incorrectly...”
He spread his hands in a gesture that managed to seem both apologetic and implacable.
Katherine extracted a ledger from her portfolio and opened it to a carefully marked page. “Before we discuss boundaries, perhaps you’d like to see what those fields have produced under my management. Five years of quarterly yields—productivity increased by nearly twenty percent.”
Lord Greythorne accepted the ledger, his expression unreadable as he studied the neatly recorded figures.
“Impressive,” he conceded after a moment. “Though the question of proper boundaries remains unresolved.”
Katherine set down her teacup with deliberate precision. “The markers have been in place for decades, my lord. The interpretation has never been disputed until now.”
“Perhaps because no one examined the original deed carefully enough,” Drake countered. “The document clearly states the watercourse as the boundary, not stone markers that could have been moved—accidentally or otherwise—over the years.”
James shifted forward, his expression darkening. “Lord Greythorne, if you’re suggesting—”
“I’m suggesting nothing untoward, Your Grace,” Drake interrupted smoothly. “Merely that discrepancies exist which require investigation. The stream’s course may have changed over time, or the markers may have been placed incorrectly from the beginning. Either way, the matter deserves thorough examination.”
Katherine felt the familiar tightness in her chest that came with threats to her security. The western fields represented nearly a third of Willow Park’s value—losing them would reduce her from comfortable independence to genteel poverty.
“What exactly are you proposing?” she asked, keeping her voice steady.
Drake leaned back slightly, his grey eyes never leaving hers. “Before any decisions are made—about boundaries, about legal proceedings, about anything—I need to see the entirety of what I’ve inherited. Book learning and solicitors’ reports only tell part of the story.”
“You haven’t visited Greythorne Manor yet?” Rosabel asked, surprise evident in her tone.
“I arrived in London only recently,” Drake admitted. “My priority was to understand the legal situation before examining the physical estate. But now...” He gestured toward Katherine’s ledger. “These impressive yields suggest there’s more to learn from direct observation.”
Katherine exchanged a quick glance with James, who gave an almost imperceptible shrug.
“When did you have in mind?” she asked carefully.
“As soon as can be arranged. The day after tomorrow, perhaps? I’d like to see not just the disputed fields, but the entire estate—buildings, tenant properties, everything.” His gaze remained fixed on Katherine. “I assume you’d want to be present for any inspection of the boundaries.”
It wasn’t really a question. Katherine recognized the challenge in his words—if she refused, he might interpret it as having something to hide.
“The day after tomorrow would be acceptable,” she said. “Though I’ll remind you that viewing the estate won’t change the legal standing of my settlement.”
“Perhaps not,” Drake agreed. “But it will help me understand what Edmund left behind, and what needs to be done going forward.”
The implication hung in the air—that Edmund had been negligent, that the estate might be in poor condition. Katherine wanted to defend against the subtle accusation, but she couldn’t.Not when she knew better than anyone how Edmund had ignored his responsibilities.
“I’ll accompany you, of course,” James announced.
