Page 19 of The Earl Takes All
Coaches were brought round, trunks loaded, and in no time at all they were standing outside with the chilled wind whipping around them.
“You will send word if you need anything,” Minerva said to her.
All she needed was time alone with her husband. He was speaking with the duke and viscount, so serious again. “I will, thank you.”
As their guests climbed into their respective carriages, Albert came over to stand beside her. “It’s cold out. You should be inside.”
Slipping her arm around his, she was aware of him stiffening. “The sun is peering through the clouds. I could do with some sun.”
He lifted a hand as the drivers urged the horses forward. She waved, wondering if things would ever again feel normal. They stood there, facing outward for the longest time, until the coaches were out of sight.
“What now?” she asked, hoping he wouldn’t retreat back into his rooms.
He kept his gaze on the road, and she wondered if he wished he were in one of the carriages. “I’m meeting with Bocock in a bit. I need to prepare for that.” With her arm nestled in his, he began escorting her up the stairs. “I know I’ve already said it once, but I can’t thank you enough for handling and arranging everything so expertly. I don’t know how I would have managed without you.”
“I hope you never have to find out.”
There was the flinch again. If she hadn’t been touching him, she wouldn’t have been aware of it. She thought they’d reconnected in the early hours of the morning, but right then she felt a chill coming from him that was colder than the air whipping around them.
Chapter 5
He’doften sat in his brother’s office, in a nearby chair, sipping scotch and listening with half an ear while reading or plotting his next adventure as Albert discussed his estate with his steward. So Edward was familiar with Bocock, thought he had an understanding of everything that was within the Earl of Greyling’s purview. But after an hour discussing matters with the steward, he realized with startling clarity that he hadn’t a bloody clue regarding everything that required an earl’s attention.
When the door opened, he was grateful for the reprieve as Julia strolled in. He and Bocock came to their feet.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she said softly, smiling serenely, “but I might take a leisurely stroll to the village.”
He might have told her to go on if she didn’t look so hopeful. Albert would have accompanied her, which meant he needed to do the same, had to give the impression that he looked forward to being in her presence. “A lovely idea. I’ll accompany you. We shouldn’t be much longer here.”
“Then I’ll wait, shall I?”
Apparently she was fond of rhetorical questions, because without giving him a chance to respond, she settled into a nearby chair, folding her hands on what remained of her lap. He forced himself to smile, to look pleased, when in truth he wished she wasn’t here to witness his bumbling about. Bocock might not notice it, but she no doubt knew every variance of her husband’s mannerisms. Had she sat in on these discussions before?
But he couldn’t worry about her at that moment. He had to ensure the estates were well managed for the nephew to whom she would soon give birth. Only a few more weeks and he would no longer have to pretend to be the earl. Yet still he would oversee the properties and incomes until the boy reached his majority. The sooner he had a good grasp of everything involved, the sooner he could make certain his brother’s legacy remained intact. He retook his seat. Bocock did the same.
“Looking over the reports here, I notice it’s been a while since Rowntree has made any payments,” Edward said.
“Yes, m’lord. As we discussed before you left on your travels, Rowntree believes that since three generations of his family have shepherded on that land, it belongs to him now, and he should not have to pay for the right to graze his sheep there. You were of a mind to be lenient in hopes that he’d come around. He hasn’t. As a matter of fact, two other tenants have not paid recently. I fear you may be losing control.”
May be losing it? It was bloody well gone. Had Albert truly believed leniency was the way to go? He knew Albert avoided confrontation whenever possible, but in this case it simply wasn’t possible.
“Are you rethinking your stance, sir?” Bocock asked, and Edward heard the disrespect in his voice.
“Watch your tone, Bocock. You’re not the only steward in the land.”
“Apologies, m’lord. I didn’t mean to question—”
“I have no problem with you questioning me. I pay you to oversee matters, keep me informed, and advise me. But I won’t tolerate any snide retorts.” He slapped his palm down on the ledger. “Nor will I tolerate any man who does not pay what is due.”
Bocock straightened as though Edward had shoved a poker down his spine. “I’ll speak with Rowntree.”
“I’ll handle Rowntree. You speak with the others. I expect payment. I expect it timely or I’ll know the reason why. If it isn’t a damned good one, I’ll help pack them up and send them on their way. Just as you are not the only steward, they are not the only farmers.”
“With all due respect, m’lord, tenants are harder to come by. Factories and such offer a man a better living.”
“Then the land can lay fallow, although I suspect there are a few industrious souls left who would welcome the opportunity to work outside rather than in cramped quarters. If not, perhaps I’ll work the land myself.”
Bocock’s brow furrowed, his eyes blinked. “You’re a lord.”
