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Jacob was seated ata table when he saw the solicitor walk in. He waved him over. “Good day, Mr. Haggerty. I hope you’re well today.”
Mr. Haggerty took a seat. “Very well. Thank you, my lord.”
“No need for such formality. Please call me Jacob.”
“I’m afraid that would not be proper, and in anycase, the Parker sisters will be here shortly, and protocol must be followed.”
“Of course, if you insist.”
“I have a list of the estate holdings for your review,” Mr. Haggerty said, handing a document to Jacob. “As you can see, last year’s bad harvest has greatly reduced the quarterly income.”
“I can see that.”
“Lord Fletcher, there’s another issue I’d like to talk to you about.”
“More issues?” Jacob asked.
“Not exactly an issue, but something that needs to be taken care of. You’ll need to present yourself to the Lord Chamberlain in the House of Lords to be officially recognized as Baron Fletcher. You’ll need another peer to stand with you.”
“That’s a problem. I don’t know any peers,” Jacob said.
“I understand. If you agree, I will contact the Earl of Devon, who is another client of mine, and ask him if he’d be willing to accompany you to Parliament. I can arrange a time for you to meet him. Will that be agreeable to you?”
“I suppose. Mr. Haggerty, is all this necessary? I’m not planning on staying in England. I have a business to run in New York City.”
“I’m afraid it’s all necessary for you to be officially recognized. Shall I contact Lord Devon on your behalf?”
“Yes. Contact him. It will be good to know some ofthe other lords.”
“Very good, my lord. I’ll send a note around, letting you know of the meeting date as soon as I hear from him.”
Jacob sighed. This was becoming more complicated than he could ever have imagined. He’d thought he’d come here, find out the details of the inheritance, make a few decisions, and return to New York. It clearly wouldn’t be as easy as that.
He was reviewing the paperwork when a shadow fell over the table. When he looked up, he saw the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and his heart flip-flopped. She was a vision, and he couldn’t look away. It was like he’d been struck by lightning. She had startling blue eyes, as if the stars from the heavens shone through them, and a flawless complexion. A few wisps of hair had escaped her bonnet to fall around her face. He’d told Henry that he wasn’t ready to wed… perhaps that wasn’t quite true anymore. A beauty like her could certainly tempt any man to become leg-shackled.
What?
Why would he think that? A pretty face alone couldn’t be enough to change his mind about marrying. Could it?
Mr. Haggerty stood. “Ladies, always a pleasure to see you all.”
He’d been so busy staring at the young woman in front of him, and he hadn’t realized she wasn’t alone. Gawking like that was horribly rude. Jacob scrambled tohis feet.
“Lord Fletcher, these young ladies are Miss Parker, Miss Grace Parker, and Miss Mia Parker. Ladies, may I present Lord Fletcher to you?”
All three women curtseyed.
“I’m very pleased to meet you all,” Jacob said. “Won’t you please take a seat?” he asked, pulling out the nearest chair for Miss Parker.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, taking her seat.
Miss Grace and Miss Mia took the seats next to the solicitor.
“I was explaining to Lord Fletcher the details of the estate,” Mr. Haggerty said after everyone was seated.
“Miss Parker, I understand there’s a country house. Have you and your sisters ever lived there?” Jacob asked.
