Page 114

Red curls escaped a straw bonnet, and a simple but elegant gown of white muslin trimmed with delicate yellow embroidery clung to every one of those generous curves. It reminded him all too much of the image he had been granted when he first arrived here—an image that would not shift out of his head, no matter how hard he worked.

He had thought there would be a lot to do on the estate, but it seemed things were very much in hand. There was little for him to do. It did not mean his work ceased, however. Whilst he was away from London, there were plenty of letters to be written, and plans to be made for the investment of the inheritance should they ever gain it.

He tried not to think about Minerva travelling all the way to Scotland and probably terrified out of her wits. Or Seth, hunting for a wife who would likely never make him happy. He even worried a little about Angel. She had never worked a day in her life and took far too much pride in having fun. Whether she would manage a whole two months of working, he did not know.

“My lord?”

He blinked. “Yes?”

“I asked where you are going.”

“Oh yes. To Fenny Farm.”

“Oh, you heard about the argument between Mr. Smith and Mr. Finnigan.”

He nodded. “Mr. Barnes told me.”

“They are always falling out. Goodness knows why. They have been friends for nearly forty years.”

“You know these two men?”

She tilted her head slightly, as if amused by the question. “Certainly.”

“You need not accompany me.” Theo gave a tight smile. “That is, you can return to the house. I assume you were intending to see what the matter is. But I can handle it.”

Her smile grew. “You would be surprised how stubborn two old men can be.”

“These are estate matters, Miss Jameson. I can handle them.”

She rolled her eyes. “I think I should accompany you anyway, just in case.”

He grimaced to himself. The last thing he needed was his attractive ward accompanying him. It was already hard enough to stop thinking about her, even when he avoided her at all costs. These two months were going to seem long indeed. He sighed and flicked the reins. “Try to keep up.”

He rode deliberately fast. Rudely so, he was sure. But he had little choice. The sooner he got to the farm and solved this problem, the sooner he could return and hide himself away in the study. He arrived on the outskirts of the farm way ahead of Miss Jameson. The two men, who he remembered had owned these farms when he was a boy, stood next to a stile. Even from where he was, he could hear raised voices.

He dismounted and tethered the horse before striding over. Neither men looked his way.

“If you would stop being such a lazy fool,” Mr. Finnigan said, “this would not keep happening.”

Mr. Smith threw up his hands. “I’m not lazy. You are the one who is lazy. You deliberately let my pig go. You could have caught him, but you did not want to. You are determined to make a fool of me.”

“Gentlemen…” Theo took a hesitant step forward.

The argument continued, both men utterly oblivious to him. Their cheeks were reddened with rage. If this argument had been going on for a while, he did not think it would end anytime soon.

Miss Jameson came up beside him, her arms folded across her chest and a slight smile on her face. “They are still arguing, yes?”

“It seems so. Neither of them care that I am here.”

“I believe they enjoy arguing. Of course, if Mr. Smith would fix his fence properly, this would not need to keep happening. But, alas, he is not very good at mending things.” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “Though do not tell him that. He believes he is an expert carpenter.”

Theo lifted a brow. From what he saw of the battered fence, it was certainly no masterpiece.

“Gentlemen…” Miss Jameson took a step forward, inserting herself between the two men. She held up both hands, and for the first time, the two men seemed to spot them.

Theo smirked to himself. “Miss Jameson, I do not think—”

Both men ceased their arguing instantly. Their attention fell on Miss Jameson. Theo shook his head. Of course, they paid attention to an attractive woman rather than him. He should have known.