Page 29 of The Earl and His Lady

Phillip lifted each by turn. “Too heavy. This one won’t bend.” He gave judgement on each and at last decided on the middle-weight correspondence paper. He took two sheets and asked for scissors, which Lucas promptly provided.

The boy went to the floor and plopped down upon it, directly in front of the hearth where a fire was crackling cheerfully. Edward was staring at the stacks of paper with fascination.

“Do you like to draw?” Lucas asked, lifting a sheet and holding it out to the boy.

Edward stared at the sheet, his dark brown eyes round and hopeful. But he looked up at Lucas and shrugged. “I’m not very good.”

“Nonsense.” Lucas picked up a pencil from the top of his desk and held it out as well. “Draw whatever you like and then let me tell you how well you do.”

Edward chewed on his bottom lip but his little hands accepted the paper and pencil. He looked around the room, but before he could join his brother on the floor, Lucas gave the top of the desk a pat.

“Sit in my chair and draw here. A proper desk is needed for a proper drawing.”

His eyes widened and his posture straightened. “Your desk, my lord?”

Lucas nodded gravely. “I insist, Edward.”

The boy’s legs propelled him around the furniture rapidly and he slapped his paper onto the surface before turning to climb into the chair. Lucas moved the chair closer to the desk for him. He lifted his pencil and put it to paper without another word, though his tongue stuck outside the corner of his mouth as he fiercely concentrated on the lines he made.

Resisting a chuckle, Lucas went to see how Phillip was getting on. He’d trimmed his paper and had begun making folds, turning the sheet into something resembling a raft.

Knowing his valet would not thank him for it, Lucas sat down on the floor across from the boy anyway, mimicking the lad’s way of sitting with his legs crossed beneath each other. “That looks like a fine boat.”

“Not yet.” Phillip sighed and created another fold, moving inward.

Lucas let a few quiet moments pass, glancing over to be sure Edward was still enjoying himself with his drawing. The boy looked completely engrossed in his work. A thought came to Lucas and he bent forward, lowering his voice.

“If Edward’s paper boat beat yours in a race, why doesn’t he know how to make one?”

Phillip’s hands slowed, his fingers pressing a fold together tightened. “Papa made Edward’s boat.” Phillip didn’t look up, but his fingers started moving again. “He taught me, though. Mine aren’t bad.”

“I should say not,” Lucas said, his tone softer. Had he made a mistake? The boats might only hurt his chances of a good relationship with Phillip more. But the boy did not seem angry any longer. “And you must remember, I am woefully out of practice myself, so I am appreciative.”

Phillip offered him a sideways look. “You don’t really need a boat, do you?”

“I make studies of the weather, of my property. I have been contemplating hiring someone to come out and survey the land,” Lucas answered carefully, and honestly.

“Survey the land?” Phillip asked, focusing again on his work. “What does that mean? My lord?”

“I would have someone who is a mathematician, of sorts, come visit. He would bring special tools and equipment, and with his things he could measure our hills and streams, the dips in the land, and then give me his calculations. I could use the information he gives me as I plan land improvements, and he could use the information to make maps that would tell others about the land in this part of Kettering.”

Phillip glanced up. “What good does that do anyone?”

“It helps with planning things, like roads or buildings. It informs people of what the area is like. It can even help with planting certain types of crops. If you know the elevation of a hill, you know what you could plant there that might not get washed away by rain. There are many useful applications.”

Phillip started to nod, his eyes taking on a faraway look. “Should I do that to Heatherton Hall, do you think? My lord?”

It was the first time he had asked Lucas’s opinion on anything or spoken to him without suspicion or resentment. The question held weight for more than that reason. The child was thinking of his new responsibilities as baron. What six-year-old should ever carry such a burden?

Lucas’s heart softened. He’d been lost after his father’s death. It had taken some time, even with twenty-two years of training under the earl, for him to understand the running of things.

He had to answer as one landowner to another. Phillip did not trust him enough for anything more personal, though Lucas hoped he would one day. “In time, when you are ready to make improvements upon the land. If you would like, I will discuss the results of my surveyor with you to better inform your decision.”

Phillip nodded, meeting Lucas’s eyes. “Thank you, my lord.”

The boat was finished and the boy held it out.

Lucas held it up, examining it in the firelight. He turned it one way and then the other. The lines were good. “A sea-worthy vessel, I should think. As you make the spare, you must tell me exactly how you go about it.”