Page 27

P erry rubbed his eyes, tired of looking at the figures in the ledger. He closed the book and leaned back in his chair, pillowing his hands behind his head.

His tenants would bring in the autumn harvest this coming week.

He had committed to go to Huntsworth on Monday in order to observe the first day of his neighbor’s harvest. He had only been present at Beauville when a single harvest occurred, being away at school and university and then the army.

It would do him good to refresh himself as to what happened during one.

Although he knew Rankin had things well in hand, this would be the first time the Earl of Martindale had been present at a harvest in decades.

It was important to him to have a visible presence at this important time.

His father had never cared enough to be in the country during harvest times.

Perry wanted to be a different kind of earl than his father.

He also hoped to see Lady Dru sometime during his visit to Huntsworth on Monday.

Perry had learned from Lord Huntsberry that she had gone to town for a few days with Lord and Lady Aldridge, who supported an orphanage there and visited it frequently.

He was curious as to what she thought of the orphanage.

Hell, he was curious about anything having to do with Lady Dru Alington.

Perry reminded himself that they were simply to be friends.

It would be hard enough to burden any woman with him as a husband, but he could never intentionally encumber Lady Dru.

His nightmares only seemed to worsen with the passage of time.

It would be hard enough to hide them from whatever wife he chose.

Lady Dru was far too perceptive. It would be impossible to keep anything from her.

That was why he needed to let go of this fantasy of making her his wife.

She was a fine woman and had been kind enough to offer friendship to him.

He believed she would do her best to help him choose a bride next spring, as well as introduce him to other members of her extended family.

Already, he liked Lords Huntsberry and Aldridge quite a bit.

He glanced out the window when he saw movement and saw a rider had stopped in front of the house.

A footman hurried out to speak with him and motioned the stranger to the house, even as the footman led the horse by the reins around the house, most likely to the stables.

Perry was not expecting anyone and wondered who this man might be.

A brisk knock sounded at his study’s door, and he said, “Come.”

Foster entered. “My lord, it is Mr. Chapman here to see you. The younger Mr. Chapman, that is. He said he was not expected but asked for a few minutes of your time.”

“Certainly. Show him in, Foster.”

Perry supposed a property had already been found for his mother and that Mr. Chapman was here to discuss the purchase of it with him.

The butler showed the solicitor into the study, and Perry rose to greet him.

“Good morning, Mr. Chapman,” he said offering his hand.

Chapman shook it. “Thank you for seeing me without an appointment, my lord.”

“Sit. Would you care for tea?”

“No, thank you. I hope to conclude our business quickly and return to the village to catch the next mail coach back to London.”

“I am afraid that is not for several hours. What brings you to Beauville? Have you found a house for my mother to live in?”

“I have, my lord.” Chapman reached into the satchel he carried, removing a sheaf of papers and handing them to Perry.

“Things went rather quickly, I am pleased to say. I had a client whose husband had only passed last week, and she had me put their house up for sale since she intended to move to Bristol and live with her sister and brother-in-law. From what my father shared with me, I thought this house would be most suitable for you as an investment. I called upon my client and made an offer on your behalf. She accepted it on the spot, and I drew up the papers. By the end of the day, the matter was put to rest.”

“That is most efficient of you, Mr. Chapman. I see you are as capable as your father,” he complimented.

A pained expression crossed the solicitor’s face.

“I wish I could accept your praise, my lord, but we have a problem. My client left the next morning on the mail coach, having shipped those personal items she wished to keep to Bristol, leaving the rest of the house furnished. I did factor that in to the offer I made. Since Father said you were eager to have Lady Martindale take up residence in her new home, I made an appointment to see her that very day.”

Perry suspected what had occurred. “You are here to tell me that she was unwilling to vacate my townhouse.”

Chapman nodded slowly. “Lady Martindale was, shall we say, uncooperative. Totally unwilling to move to the new property. I told her that, as your representative, I had your full authority and was making your wishes known. That a house had been found for her to reside in, and she was to go there immediately. I suggested that she have her lady’s maid pack and retain that servant’s services, and I was willing to assist her in hiring the small staff which you and my father agreed upon. ”

Naturally, she would balk. He shouldn’t have expected anything less.

“I am quite good at my job, my lord, but I have never been asked to evict a countess from what had been her home. Father let me know that you wished your townhouse to be free of her presence. Other than physically picking her up and tossing her out onto the pavement, I was in a quandary regarding what to do.”

Chapman raked a hand through his hair. “I hope you will not hold this against my father, my lord. I would hate to see him lose you as a client because of my incapability to... to...”

“Oust a noblewoman?” he supplied. “No, Mr. Chapman, I hold your father in high esteem. I am certain I will do the same with you. I am thrilled you were able to solve my problem so quickly and find a suitable house.”

“It is an excellent property, my lord, in a plum part of Mayfair, and it has been kept up well. Property in that area will only increase in value in the coming years.” The solicitor sighed. “I am only sorry I could not fulfill all my obligations and see Lady Martindale relocated.”

“She is more than stubborn,” he shared. “Moreover, she dislikes me—and the idea that she will no longer live in my London townhome.”

“If I may speak freely, my lord, I will say that after what I have seen of her, you are making the correct decision in expelling her. Why, Father told me how generous you will be with her, providing the house and staff, along with a liberal allowance.” He winced.

“She thoroughly rebuked me. I have not been scolded like that since my early schooldays.”

“My mother had no right to castigate you, Mr. Chapman. She is a selfish, bitter woman and took out her anger at me on you.” He rose. “I will accompany you back to town and see her to her new home.”

The solicitor stood. “I hate to ask you to do so, my lord. I know that would be most inconvenient.”

“No, I wish for the matter to be settled. I will have the carriage prepared at once. I saw you arrive on horseback.”

“Yes. I rode the mail coach to Alderton and then rented a horse from a Mr. Abel’s stables in town.”

“Return the horse to Mr. Abel. I will stop in Alderton for you.”

Smiling, the solicitor said, “Thank you, my lord.”

Perry rang for his butler and instructed Foster to have his carriage readied, saying that he had been called to town unexpectedly.

“When will you return to Beauville, my lord?”

It was Saturday. He needed to be back early Monday morning so he could go to Huntsworth. He also did not want to pass up the opportunity to see Lady Dru at church. Yes, it was foolish on his part, but he would be in church by her side on the morrow.

“Either late this evening or first thing tomorrow morning. Tell Mrs. Foster to be prepared for either, but I most likely will be home tonight.”

“Shall I summon Grilley to accompany you?”

“No. That will not be necessary.”

He could see no need for his valet to accompany him to town.

He would go straight to his townhouse and speak directly with his mother, making certain the servants packed her things.

Perry would even escort her to the new property himself.

It would be good for him to see the house in person this one time because he doubted he would ever enter it until after her death.

With sunset around half-past seven this time of year, the horses could easily rest for several hours until they conveyed him to Surrey again.

Perry climbed into his carriage, telling his coachman to stop in Alderton at Mr. Abel’s stables in order to pick up another passenger before they made their way to town.

During the journey, he got to know the solicitor better and found he liked him a great deal.

When the time came for the elder Mr. Chapman to step away, Perry believed it would be a seamless transition.

They reached town shortly after noon, and Chapman asked to be dropped at his father’s offices.

“Thank you again for locating a house so quickly,” he said. “I appreciate your efforts in this matter, Mr. Chapman.”

With a grateful look on his face, the solicitor said, “And I certainly appreciate you not firing me—and my father’s firm—because I could not get Lady Martindale to vacate the premises.” He swallowed visibly. “I will do better next time, my lord. I promise.”

“I will hold you to that,” he said, his tone light, conveying he held no grudge against Chapman.

Perry instructed the coachman to take him to the new property.

He wanted to view it without his mother in tow.

It was but a few blocks from his own townhouse, so he told his driver, “Take the horses to my mews. Feed and water them. I would like to leave town at five o’clock.

Will five hours be enough rest for the team? ”