Page 31 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

T oday was one of the days Celia spent at Traywick Manor, so Rupert was trying to get as much done as possible without his niece underfoot. Thank goodness he wasn’t having to review any kind of reports with Williamson because his mind would have strayed.

To Lady Lia.

He had barely seen her since the dinner party Lady Traywick had given a few weeks ago.

She spent her days with his niece, but he rarely came in contact with her, thanks to the arrangements they had made.

He also had been invited to dinner by several of his new neighbors, as well as visiting three other estates in the area, discussing land management with the owners.

He had attended the local church with Celia.

It seemed Rupert was settling into the neighborhood with ease.

And yet he was bloody miserable.

Did he love Lia Worthington?

He didn’t think he did. Yes, he was taken with her.

Yes, he wanted to kiss her senseless and explore every sweet curve she possessed.

But love for a woman seemed such a foreign concept to him.

Gentlemen in the ton did not love their wives, and he was most certainly one of their number now.

A man’s role in Polite Society was to wed and sire heirs and spares, all while going along his merry way.

Love wasn’t a part of a gentleman’s life.

He simply chose the lady who would most benefit him, be it her generous dowry or social standing.

Rupert couldn’t change himself or the society he lived in.

Yes, there were exceptions, the love matches Lady Lia yearned for.

Well, she would have to find one with someone else.

If he were already so rattled by her that he could not think and handle his duties on his own estate, he did not need to let her in any further, much less weaken and love her.

As he was about to finish helping place the roof on a tenant’s cottage, he saw Williamson riding on horseback. The steward reached him, calling up to him.

“My lord, the new estate manager has arrived.”

Rupert was grateful for that. He’d already put on three roofs the past two days, and he could certainly stand to have a another strong back to assist him and the other tenants in this project.

“Where is he?”

“Headed this way, my lord. I decided to ride ahead and let you know he would be here soon.”

He still hadn’t had time to purchase a few horses for his stables, something he kept intending to do. Perhaps he could do so in Keswick. He would see if Holson knew anything of horses and if so, take the new steward into Keswick with him.

“Thank you, Williamson. I will be down shortly. You may return to the house.”

Taking up his hammer again, Rupert finished his part of the roof and climbed down a ladder just as a man of about thirty entered the clearing.

He met the new steward, offering him his hand.

It was a test. Rupert wanted to see if the man would willingly shake his hand, with Rupert being filthy from head to toe.

Adam Holson passed with flying colors.

“Good morning, my lord. Or I should say good afternoon since it is past noon now.” The steward shook hands eagerly with his new employer, despite the dirt. “May I say how grateful I am that you would hire me, sight unseen, not knowing a thing about me. Why, I believe that is unheard of. ”

“I only needed to know one thing about you, Mr. Holson, and that is Mr. Williamson thought you were the man to replace him. Williamson has served my family for decades. I knew he would not want to see his lifetime’s work quickly crumble.

He would want the best possible man he knew to replace him.

The moment I had his recommendation, I had no doubt you would suffice.

I know we still need to talk of such things as your salary and duties, but—”

“That can wait, Lord Cressley.” Glancing about, Holson said, taking off his coat, “I see supplies out for at least one more roof. We should get started.”

Yes, Williamson had been right. Rupert had a feeling they would get along well, and his newly hired steward would be with him for many years to come.

As Holson rolled up his sleeves, Rupert called over the others who had climbed from the roof, introducing the new estate manager to them.

In turn, several of the tenants’ wives came out, also greeting Holson.

He learned names quickly, referring to others by their names.

The women, who were preparing a meal for the men after they finished roofing, promised that Holson would be included, and they got back to work.

It was nice to see his new steward jump in and get his hands dirty.

He obviously knew his way around a hammer and other tools, and the final roof went on speedily with an extra pair of hands involved.

After they climbed down, they spent half an hour eating simple fare outdoors.

Holson told Rupert a bit about the estate he had helped in managing, including some of the ideas he’d had.

“The steward was getting on up in years, and I had hoped to succeed him. He wasn’t a man fond of change, however, and neither was the earl who owned the estate.

I was ready to modernize several things, but the resistance was great.

Because I did not believe I would be offered the chance to step into the role of that estate’s steward, I was ready to look for new opportunities.

When I received the letter about a guaranteed position at Crestbrook, it was as if fate stepped in. ”

Holson paused, taking a swig of ale. “I cannot thank you enough, my lord, for valuing Mr. Williamson’s opinion enough to hire me sight unseen.”

“I will reach my thirtieth birthday next year, Mr. Holson, and you look to be of a similar age. I am hoping our partnership will last for many years to come.”

Rupert tapped his mug against that of his new steward’s, and both men downed the remainder of their ale.

“Let me take you to see where you will live. I have asked Williamson to stay on for a week or so, in order to help you transition into your new role here at Crestbrook, so you will share the cottage for a brief spell.”

They thanked the ladies for the meal, and Rupert was pleased that Holson also spoke to each of the men by name, those who had helped with the roofing.

By the time they were ready to leave, his gut told him he had made one of the best decisions of his life.

He asked one of the men to ride Ajax back to the stables for him, and he walked with Holson about some of the property.

“Do you know much about horses?” he asked.

Holson chuckled. “I may have been a horse in another life, my lord. I have always had an affinity with them.”

“Can you choose good horseflesh? I am in need of horses for my stables. I only recently took the title after my brother’s passing.

He preferred town and never came to Crestbrook, so I only have carriage horses in the stables now, along with the horse Mr. Williamson uses to get about the estate.

I have borrowed a mount from my neighbor, Lord Traywick, but I need to return it soon. ”

“We aren’t far from Keswick. You might be able to find what you need there. If not, we could try Penwith.”

“Then that should be what we do tomorrow. Come up to the house and breakfast with me at eight o’clock. We can then ride in my carriage to Keswick, and Penwith, if necessary.”

They reached the cottage where Williamson resided, and Holson said, “It should be unlocked. Your butler said my bag would be brought here.”

Entering the cottage and looking about, Holson said it looked as if he had everything he needed.

“Come to the house then,” Rupert said. “I will show you your office.”

They did so, finding Williamson working in it. The three took some time to talk about the estate in general, and Rupert shared their plans for buying some new horses tomorrow.

“I will let you and Mr. Williamson visit, Mr. Holson. He can begin to fill you in on what you need to know to help in managing Crestbrook. I will see you at breakfast tomorrow morning.”

He rang for Prater, asking for bathwater to be sent to his chamber.

Damsley was soon there, taking the filthy clothes away to be washed and ironed.

Rupert sank into the tub, enjoying the feel of the hot water easing his already aching muscles.

After soaking for several minutes, he began scrubbing the sweat and grime from him.

Damsley helped him to dress, and he headed downstairs to his study. Prater intercepted him before he reached it, however.

“My lord, Miss Wilson has arrived.”

Puzzled, he asked, “And who might Miss Wilson be?”

“She is Miss Celia’s new governess from London,” his butler informed him.

Rupert’s heart sank. While he had been eager to have someone permanently committed to look after Celia, it meant the end of Lady Lia coming to Crestbrook.

Of course, he could always invite his neighbors for dinner, to return the favor for introducing him to others in the neighborhood, but would Lady Lia even agree to come?

She and her twin had vanished after dinner the night he was at Traywick Manor, and he suspected that he was the cause of that disappearing act.

While Lady Lia had returned at the very end of the evening and they had briefly spoken, he had neither seen nor spoken to her since.

Then again, there still was the outing to Grasmere. Traywick had asked Rupert to accompany his female relatives to the picturesque town and show his cousins another beautiful part of the Lake District. With so many women in tow, he would never have a chance to be alone with Lady Lia.

And why would he even wish to be?

He’d vowed never to kiss her again, not wanting to confuse either her or him. She had already made it perfectly clear he did not suit her. Rupert couldn’t see giving into her foolish notions of love. He told himself it was better the governess was now here so that Lady Lia could be out of sight.

And hopefully, out of his mind.