Page 45 of The Earl and His Lady

“The boys are entirely besotted with her, too. I am afraid the only grandmotherly influence in their lives thus far has been my mother, and she is not well known for tenderness of feeling. We see her exactly once a year, unless we go to London.” Virginia shook her head. “And when I wrote to tell her of my marriage, I received a very succinct reply congratulating me for my rise in rank and suggesting I not appear in London until I am out of mourning, lest people feel inclined to speculate.” Virginia waggled her eyebrows up and down.

Lucas tilted his head to one side, inspecting her as she spoke of her mother. It was the second time she’d mentioned the Dowager Countess of Vinespar. He hadn’t met the woman, though he’d heard of her a time or two in London. If anything, Virginia seemed amused by her mother’s personality, not hurt or offended.

“Should we invite her to come stay with us next?” he asked with complete seriousness. “I wouldn’t want her to feel slighted, or to deprive you of her company.”

Virginia waved the offer away at once. “Not at present. Perhaps next month. She detests London in August, but dislikes my brother even more, so she usually visits me then. I warn you, she is not nearly as pleasant a companion as your mother.”

He wanted to continue the conversation, learn more about her family and why she spoke of them so rarely, but she had sought him out for a purpose. It would be rude to continue a topic without seeing to her needs.

“Is there something I can do for you today, Virginia? If you won’t let me invite your mother to stay, that is.”

“There is something I would like to consult you about. It concerns the barony.” Virginia lifted the paper and held it out to him. “I received this letter from the steward. It has been some months since I’ve been to Heatherton Hall and, while I trust him, with the strange summer weather I worry for the tenants and the land. I thought I might ask the steward, Mr. Ferris, if he would come visit here and bring the accounts with him.”

Lucas took the paper as she spoke and started reading. It was a short, formal letter, no more than a note, assuring her all was well and giving her a very basic accounting of expenditures and estate income.

If he were to receive such a note from one of the stewards at his holdings, he would be most dissatisfied. There was no word about the tenants, the state of the land, the expected harvest, or any indication the weather would cause problems. There was nothing about household matters. No questions. The whole of the note was less than three paragraphs long.

“Having him visit wouldn’t be enough, in my opinion.” Lucas glanced up at her, over the edge of the paper. “Though you trust him, making a personal inspection of the property would do more to reassure you, and your tenants, that all is as it should be.” He handed the letter back and steepled his hands together in front of him.

Virginia’s eyes fell to the letter which she folded, slowly, then ran her fingertips over the creases. A thoughtful frown brought her eyebrows together and turned her lips downward.

“That was my initial thought, but I cannot see how it would be possible. The trip would take at least two days, as it is some eighty miles from here. Then I would want two or three days to see to everything before my return here. I would be gone for a week or more.” She pressed her fingers to her temple. “I wouldn’t wish to take the boys. The journey would already be long and difficult, depending upon the state of the roads, and there is no reason to pack up all their trappings and Nurse Smythe for such a short visit.”

Lucas nodded, mentally going through the preparation with her. She could likely need more than a few days to see to everything, especially given her lack of knowledge on the running of the estate. It was rare a woman knew all the business dealings of her husband, because their duties were so divided.

He didn’t like the idea of her going alone for more reasons than that. But would she want him to come?

“May I offer my services to you, my lady?” he asked, concealing his hope for her answer in the affirmative. “I’ll gladly make the journey with you, as protector, and see to Phillip’s estate. I will advise you with all the care I use in my own dealings.” He watched her, waited for her to speak, his heart rising in his chest. The chance to be of service to her was not his primary motivation, though it was a close second. He would have time alone with her, for several days. While he would conduct himself as a complete gentleman, of course, he wanted very much to understand his feelings for her.

Virginia’s cheeks went pink and her eyes widened. “Oh, Lucas, I couldn’t ask that of you. It would take too much of your time.”

“You aren’t asking,” he said, wishing to reach out to lay a hand on hers. Instead, he put all his sincerity into his voice. “I am offering. Insisting, in fact. When we entered this agreement, I promised to do all in my power to help you in raising your sons and preparing them for the life ahead. I promised I would look after Phillip’s estate, too. I will happily lend you my abilities.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, meeting his gaze. He kept it steady, focused on her, willing her to accept his help. Accept him.

“Very well. I would appreciate it, thank you. When do you think you would have the time?”

He bit back a triumphant grin. “As soon as the arrangements can be made. It will not take more than a day or two to put things in order here.”

“Do you think we ought to wait until your mother’s visit is over?” she asked, with a note of concern.

“I think we ought to tell her of our plans. Likely she will insist on remaining here to look after things.” Lucas chuckled and stood, reaching to help Virginia stand. “Though she prefers London most of the year, I know she misses the country from time to time.”

Virginia left her hand in his as he spoke, her smile warming him. “And what of Marcus and Ellen? Should we abandon them?”

“Absolutely. He abandoned me in London, at the beginning of the season, to disappear into the country with his wife. It would only be fair I do the same to him.” Though Marcus had escaped with Ellen under entirely different circumstances, and with a much more pleasant reason.

Virginia laughed and released his hand, holding her letter in both of hers. “Very well. I will send word that we are coming and I will make the necessary arrangements for the boys and Nurse Smythe to remain behind.”

“And I will make the travel arrangements.” Lucas half-bowed. “And speak to my formidable mother.”

She curtsied, almost playfully. “Thank you, my lord. Shall we discuss the particulars after dinner?”

“I would like that.” He watched her leave, her step noticeably lighter than when she’d entered, and his heart gave a joyful, and somewhat painful, thump. To see her happy, even for just a few moments, did something to him. It gave him hope for their eventual future, yes, but it was more than that.

He went back to his desk to begin making his own arrangements and the late afternoon sun broke through the clouds, bathing his desk in golden light. His eyes landed on his latest gift from Edward. It was a water-color this time, depicting a rose bush with a mix of pink and red blooms amid greenery.

He wanted all of them happy and whole again. Virginia, Phillip, Edward, and himself.