Page 21 of Lady Willa's Divinely Wicked Vicar
“You know it best.”
“What of Mister Townsend?” That man, competent and talented for most part, served as the duke’s manager since before Charlie was born.
“He ages. His mind is not as quick and he wishes to retire. You and he together would be just the solution. He would send you letters, descriptions. Besides, you’ve done most of it before. And only until we can find a suitable candidate whom Townsend likes.”
Townsend didn’t like any candidates, ever. He favored only Charlie. “When I was at Cambridge I was not employed, sir. I don’t see how I can tend to my parish and this too.”
“Letters. The same as before.”
“And Oliver?” His wily brother could escape all work.
“I’ve cut his allowance. I’m sure to see him in this room soon. I notified the bankers, you see. So tomorrow, I would think he will arrive. It being his earliest convenience to yell and wail and beg for mercy.”
Oliver would set the world on fire at this cut to his dignity and hismode de vie. Charlie hated arguing with him. Willful, his older brother was also volatile—and that usually lit a fire under Charlie as well. Being combative was not among his finest traits. And now…
He considered the benefits of his father’s proposal. He could do the work. Had done it. He’d put his father’s estate to rights, much as he could. He would earn needed money. And he’d fill his days and nights instead of brooding. Because he feared Wills might not be able to fend off her father and his quest to betroth her to another. He had to be smart and quick. This might be the means to a future he could truly enjoy. An added lure was the speculation dancing at the edges of his consciousness that perhaps the clergy did not truly call to him as it should. Such attentions to his father’s issues might give him a taste of life outside the Church.
“I will pay you,” the duke said. “Half wages of Townsend. Only fair. Townsend takes his pension from me and likes this plan. Now, I ask, do you like it?”
He would always help his father. Could he do that and serve himself, too? “I do, sir.”
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