Page 30 of An Affair with a Notorious Heiress
He nodded. One afternoon a week, he visited to discuss the status of their estates, the profitability of their various income streams, how to diversify, how to ensure profits. More and more, the duke was turning the reins over to him. He enjoyed the challenge of it—
Enjoyed the challenge of Lady Landsdowne. He hadn’t given her time to decline his invitation and he suspected she’d bristled as he’d walked away. He was halfway surprised she didn’t dash after him and smack him on the head with that little trowel. He’d been a fool to take her hand, hadn’t wanted to release it once he had. If he hadn’t thought she’d object, he’d have removed her glove... and his own.
“Andrew requires a larger allowance,” his father said casually.
“Without question.” Skin to skin. Hers would be as smooth as silk. He had no doubt. Her long, slender fingers would be on display during dinner. If he could determine a way to accidentally touch them—
“I was thinking ten thousand a month.”
“Reasonable.” Perhaps he should tell her the truth, acknowledge he had more interest in her than in Gina, that Lady Landsdowne occupied his thoughts for the greater part of each day and every night.
“We shall be bankrupt by the end of the year.”
Nodding, he tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. Although with the truth, she might cast him out for his deception and he would lose not only a chance at the stallion but at Lady Landsdowne. Was it worth the risk of losing the horse to gain her? But in what manner could he have a woman of her notoriety? Certainly he couldn’t marry her, but an affair might not be out of the question. She’d engaged in at least one. Why not another—with him?
“Rex?”
The tone wasn’t one he’d been the recipient of since he left school. It jerked him out of his reveries, and he snapped his attention to his father. “Sir?”
“The idea of bankruptcy doesn’t bother you?”
He glanced around the various sitting areas and the shelves lined with books. “Who’s going bankrupt?”
“I just said we were.”
Why would his father believe that? “We’re solvent. The estates’ incomes have dwindled a bit but we have other businesses. We’re in remarkably good shape.”
“What of Andrew’s ten thousand pounds a month allowance?”
Obviously he hadn’t paid nearly as much attention as he’d thought. Lady Landsdowne was affecting every aspect of his life. “I’d never agree to that amount. It’s ludicrous. Not to mention a reckless dispersal of funds. I hate to say it but Andrew would fritter it away. He isn’t completely irresponsible, but he hasn’t yet found a purpose to his life.” He was a year younger than Rexton, but he’d never been asked to do anything more than live the life of a gentleman—like most spares.
His father leaned back in his leather chair. “I’ve been tossing out ridiculous statements and you’ve agreed to them all. You weren’t listening to a word I said, were you?”
He was embarrassed to admit, “Not really, no. But I’ve thoroughly studied the ledgers and the reports. I’m confident we’re faring well. My meeting with the estate managers tomorrow gives me no concern.”
“What does? What causes this unusual distraction when I usually have your full attention?”
What indeed? He couldn’t tell him the truth when Rexton knew he would find fault with it. He’d worked so blasted hard his entire life to ensure he didn’t disappoint his parents. “Have you ever wanted something so badly that you use questionable means to acquire it?”
“Been cheating at cards when playing your sister again?”
He chuckled. If only it was that innocent. Was he being unfair to the girl to be giving her attention when his intentions weren’t serious? Perhaps he should simply admit the truth. Yes, Lady Landsdowne would certainly fly into his arms then.
“What made you decide to court Mother?”
His father looked somewhat surprised by the notion, as though he’d never given it any thought. “I’m not quite certain I ever really did court her. Not properly anyway. Our paths just seemed to cross on occasion and when they did—” He lifted a shoulder, dropped it, looked away. “I took advantage. Then one day I realized I loved her.”
He again looked in Rexton’s direction, but he wasn’t certain how much his father could see. For a good portion of his life, he’d been losing his eyesight. It was nearly gone now. “Have you met someone for whom you care?”
“I don’t know how I feel about her exactly. She vexes me. Intrigues me. But I know we would not suit. She has none of the qualities I would seek in a wife.”
“Where I was concerned, neither did your mother. But she possessed all the qualities I could love. In the end, that won out.”
“I don’t love her. I don’t even know if I like her.”
“What of these questionable means you referred to? Is she behind them?”
“No, she’s innocent of that.” The problem was there were too many things of which she wasn’t innocent.
