Page 117

“So, why are you accompanying your uncle?” Lucy asked. She could at least get all the information she could. Use it as ammunition perhaps. After all, a well-informed woman was a dangerous one.

“I am learning the ropes. I finished university last year and was lucky enough to be offered a position at my uncle’s practice.”

“And you enjoy law?”

Mr. Andrews offered a smile that could very well be thought of as extremely attractive. “It has its moments.”

Her stomach tangled even tighter. Oh no, this was not working. He seemed to like her.

“I always thought of law as very boring.”

He chuckled. “You would be right. There is an incredible amount of dullness involved in it. However, there are moments of excitement. My uncle was telling me of how he brought you here. I believe he was glad to be involved in the placing of you in this home, and I can see why. You seem to have thrived here.”

This was an utter failure! Particularly when he complimented her. How could she be rude? “It is easy to thrive here. It is a wonderful place to grow up.”

“It is one of the finest estates that I have ever seen. My uncle tells me the marquis rarely spends time here. I cannot imagine why he would not wish to spend every hour here.”

“He is very busy.” It was the only explanation Lucy could offer. She never really did understand why he left and never came back. She supposed grief did strange things to people.

“Regardless, this house is most excellent. I particularly like how the gardens are maintained.”

Mr. Andrews could not know that she had a hand in ensuring everything ran smoothly in this place. She took particular pride in maintaining the gardens that the marquis’s ancestors had created. Still, she could not help feel flattered that he had noticed the care she put in.

Which was entirely against her purpose. She was meant to tell him in no uncertain terms that she was not interested in any sort of match with him.

“Mr. Andrews…” She swallowed. “Mr. Andrews, I feel that I must tell you—”

The two men in front stopped. Mr. Barton called to his nephew. “Jacob, do come and look at this. Your mother would be enchanted.”

Mr. Andrews offered her an apologetic smile and caught up with Lord Eastbrook and Mr. Barton. They were admiring one of the rare flowers in the garden. She blew out a frustrated breath. This whole ensuring Mr. Andrews knew she was not interested thing was going to be harder than she thought.

They continued their tour around the garden as a foursome, not allowing her any time to speak with Mr. Andrews alone. Then, when they returned to the house, all three men disappeared into the study, leaving her to pace outside.

She paced slowly lest she be heard. Unfortunately, the thick wooden doors did not allow her to listen in on any of the conversations. She did, however, hear footsteps in the room, indicating that the conversation was over. She scurried away and slipped into the nearest parlor room.

Heart pounding, she waited for the footsteps to go past the room and slipped out behind the men into the study. She ran her gaze over the room, looking for anything that she did not recognize. Alas, there were no new papers or any indication that some business transaction had been made considering her welfare. She curled her hands around the back of the chair and sagged slightly. How horrible it was to know one’s fate was not in one’s hands.

“Lucy?”

She straightened and twisted to face Lord Eastbrook.

“What are you doing in here?”

She scowled at him. “I did not realize this room was off limits to me. I have been using it to manage the estate in your absence.”

He shoved a hand through his hair, sending golden strands slightly awry. Her fingers twitched with the desire to straightenthem. She shook her head to herself. She did not need this right now, not when she had to find out what had happened today.

“Forgive me, Lucy, I have some…unusual business to deal with today, and it has meagitated.”

“Unusual business?”

He smiled at her. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Does it pertain to the house?”

“Not at all. So you see, it really is not for you to worry about.”

She moved closer, aware that his eyes widened slightly as she did so. His throat worked. He really must be keeping some secret from her for him to behave so.