Page 13 of The Baron’s Perfect Match (Twist of Fate #1)
T he next morning after breakfast, Jacob stood before the mirror, adjusting his cravat for the third time.
He wasn’t typically one to fuss over his appearance, but he wanted to look his best when he met Miss Parker again.
He couldn’t get her out of his mind and had spent a restless night dreaming about her.
That had never happened to him before, and he didn’t exactly know how to handle the situation.
What he did know, however, was that he wanted to spend more time with the dark-haired beauty.
She seemed to soothe his soul, which had been in turmoil for years since his parents’ unexpected deaths.
When Mr. Haggerty had given him the documents detailing the current state of the estate finances, he’d been appalled to learn how little the Parker sisters had to live on.
Three hundred pounds annual income was a mere pittance, and it made him curious to know how Miss Parker managed to run a household and pay staff on such a meager allowance.
Did they even have enough money for food ?
He was determined to remedy that dire situation immediately. Even though the estate wasn’t flush at the moment, he had plenty of funds to add to its coffers. No one, especially not his wards, should live in such poverty if he had the ability to change things.
After the luncheon yesterday, he had stopped at the bank to take care of some business that he hoped would please Miss Parker.
Would this piece of good news help thaw her icy demeanor toward him?
She hadn’t been outright rude to him at the luncheon but had kept her answers to his questions short and to the point.
He understood that meeting him for the first time was a shock, especially since he was an American and not an Englishman, but he was determined to win her over.
It had become his new mission in life, and once he decided he wanted something, he worked diligently until he achieved it.
Miss Parker was reserved but had a vibrancy to her that could not be denied.
It surprised him that he wanted her to like him more than anything he’d ever wanted before.
It was such a strange feeling. People usually liked him, but not her.
He hoped it was just the shock of finding out he was an American that had caused her to remain mostly silent yesterday.
She hadn’t sent a note back to him, which he took as a sign that she didn’t object to his call today.
Finally satisfied with his cravat, Jacob pulled on his hunter green jacket and went downstairs.
The hotel staff had hailed a hackney for him, and he gave the Gracechurch Street address to the driver before climbing inside .
His palms were sweaty as he rode through the streets of London, and he wiped them on his buff breeches.
Why was he so nervous? He was giving his wards good news.
He knew he could have easily let the solicitor handle conveying the financial news to the sisters, but he wanted to deliver it personally, hoping it would finally elicit a smile from Miss Parker.
When the hackney reached its destination, he jumped down and flipped a coin to the driver, then wasted no time climbing the steps. The front door opened before he reached the top step.
“Good day, my lord,” the butler said.
“Good day. I’m Lord Fletcher,” he said, handing his hat and cane to the man.
“I’m Beckwith. Miss Parker is expecting you. Please follow me.”
As he followed the butler, he was surprised to see numerous tell-tale spots on the wall where paintings had once hung.
Mr. Haggerty had alluded to the former baron’s out-of-control spending, but he’d had no idea it meant stripping the house of valuables.
It made him sad to think that the Parker sisters had watched as their father sold off their household items, especially since they would have been powerless to stop him.
“Lord Fletcher,” Beckwith announced when they reached the parlor doorway.
All three sisters stood and curtseyed.
“Lord Fletcher, good day,” Audrey said. “I was surprised to receive your note. We weren’t expecting to see you so soon after our luncheon yesterday.”
“Yes, as to that, I wanted to personally deliver some news.”
“Would you care for tea?”
Jacob shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
“Please have a seat, won’t you?” Audrey asked.
Both Grace and Mia sat in the chairs opposite the sofa, so his only option was to sit next to Miss Parker, which pleased him greatly. She was the image of poise and grace.
After a moment of awkward silence, Audrey asked, “You said you had good news? Would you care to elaborate?”
Jacob chastised himself for not having told them immediately. He’d been so busy gazing at Miss Parker that he hadn’t realized they were waiting anxiously to hear the news he brought.
“Forgive me for not telling you immediately. Mr. Haggerty has informed me about the estate’s finances and how they were affected by the bad harvest last year. I wanted to let you know that I’ve added a thousand pounds to your household account.”
“A thousand pounds!” Mia squealed, jumping up. “We’ll have treats again. I must go inform Mrs. Culbert,” she said, racing out of the room.
Grace stood. “Forgive my sister, my lord. She gets very excited sometimes. Your generosity is much appreciated. I’ll go check on Mia,” she said, curtseying and exiting the room .
“Does that please you, Miss Parker?” Jacob asked. He noticed her cheeks were quite rosy. Was she embarrassed or happy that he’d added funds to their account?
“Lord Fletcher, I find myself quite overwhelmed. That was extremely generous of you. We cannot thank you enough, but what happens next?”
“Next?”
“Yes. Do you plan on keeping the yearly allowance for your own use in the future?”
“What? No, of course not. I understand that the allowance is all the funds there are for you and your sisters to live on. Rest assured, I would never deprive you of that.”
“I see, but you must realize that everything pertaining to the estate now belongs to you, and I would not want to make any assumptions as to your future plans.”
Jacob was confused. He wasn’t receiving the reaction he had hoped for from Miss Parker. He’d thought she’d be pleased by his gesture, but she only had more questions for him.
“Miss Parker, have I offended you in some way? You seem upset with me.” This visit was slowly turning into a disaster. There was no smile from Miss Parker, but more of a controlled animosity. He hadn’t expected that. He had wanted her to be happy with the news, not more reserved than ever.
“I’m not upset with you, my lord. I’m merely trying to protect my sisters from any false expectations.”
“False expectations? What do you mean? ”
“You’ve generously supplemented our income for now, but what of the future? I need to know so that I may plan accordingly. If this is to be a one-time donation, I’ll need to handle the funds carefully and make arrangements to find a paying position going forward.”
“I see.”
“What exactly do you see? Are you aware that I will risk what little standing my sisters and I have in Society if I secure a position? It is frowned upon for members of the aristocracy to work. So you see, this is a very important topic to me.”
“Frowned upon to work? It makes no sense to have an entire class of people who live off the hard work of others.”
“My lord, might I remind you that you are now a member of that class?”
Jacob sighed. English Society had many archaic rules, as far as he was concerned, and he did not choose to follow them.
He had no intention of giving up his publishing business.
He’d worked too long and hard to abandon it now.
“I see I have a lot to learn about English Society. Perhaps you’d be willing to enlighten me on the finer details? ”
“To what end, my lord? If you’ll be departing soon, there is no need to enlighten you about English customs,” Audrey said, her lips set in a grim line.
“Miss Parker, you seem to be forgetting that I’m now the legal guardian for you and your sisters.
As such, it is my responsibility to take care of all of you.
Mr. Haggerty informed me you’re eligible to partake in a Season, and it will be my responsibility to vet any marriage proposals you might receive. ”
“A Season? Surely you can’t be serious? You know nothing of our customs, nor how expensive a Season can be.”
“Miss Parker, you mustn’t concern yourself with the financial aspects of having a Season. I assure you, the funds are not a problem. If you wish to have one, then I will do what I can to make sure it is successful for you.”
“Why would you do that? You don’t know me, nor do you owe it to me to pay for a Season for me.”
“I owe you and your sisters my protection, and I take that responsibility very seriously. Would it please you to participate in a Season, Miss Parker?”