“Making a name for myself has never been an interest of mine.”
“Surprising words from theGallantCaptain Reeves.”
Seth shot him a side-glance. “Not you, too.”
“I’m not too proud to admit that I have the complete set.” Mr. Sanderson laughed. Stopping in front of Lord Bolderwood’s study, he said, “We’ll talk, before all of this is finished. Ah, but don’t let me keep you. He’s in a foul mood.”
“He’s always in a foul mood,” Seth grumbled.
Being called into Lord Bolderwood’s office used to terrify Seth. Half expecting to see iron chains and shackles attached to the blood red walls, he felt as if he were one in a long line of lambs brought in to be slaughtered. Behind the older man stood more window than wall. The morning sun providing the only light in the room, shining through innocently, casting shadows on the man’s face and a desk made from ebony, imported from South Africa. Two black leather high-backed chairs sat on either side, one a half size larger, specially made for the Earl’s stout frame. Seth’s eyes focused on the center of the desk, whereThe Biblelaid open on the page of the telescope.
Glaring at Lord Bolderwood, Seth fought the urge to snatch the folio from the desk and leave. The Earl noted Seth’s indignation and raiseda condescending eyebrow.
“You think I don’t know about your hiding spots?” Lord Bolderwood gestured to the empty chair. With a gruff voice, he said, “Take a seat.”
Here it comes.
“Yes, my lord.”
Seth sat in the chair as instructed, prickling at the sense of powerlessness that overcame him.Nonsense, his mind supplied.I’m not a prisoner here any longer. I can leave whenever I want.
“Why didn’t you return to Hampshire when I summoned you?” Lord Bolderwood asked. “You should have come home once you recovered.”
“I don’t respond to summons anymore.” Seth kept his face impassive. “And this isn’t myhome.”
Lord knows it never felt like one.
“No, that’s Cooper House now, isn’t it? I never should have allowed you to spend time there. The Cooper’s made you weak. Their children are worse, having you waste your talents playing gunsmith in a barn.” Lord Bolderwood scoffed. “Imagine my surprise to see your name on a list of contenders. If you had come to me, I would have given you all the resources you required.”
“I don’t need anything from you,” Seth spat.
“When you lose this contest, you’ll need employment.”
Seth didn’t hesitate.
“No.”
“You came here with the expectation that I would offer this to you.”
“I came here with the expectation that I would win.”
“Do you still hold that expectation?”
“It’s anyone’s game.” Seth narrowed his eyes. The Hunting Party coincided with Ringwood’s annual harvest festival that would entertain the guests the next day. After, all that remained was thepigeon shooting competition to take place at the end of the stay. “His Grace has already expressed an interest, and as long as we continue to follow the rules—”
Lord Bolderwood’s harsh laugh stopped him.
“Does Duke Kendall seem like a man willing toplay by rules?” He scoffed again. “I taught you better than that. In the end, the Duke will choose whichever rifle fits his fleeting interests. I can guarantee you that it won’t be yours.”
Feeling his temperature rising, Seth dug his fingernails into the arms of the chair to force himself to remain seated.He’s wrong,he thought, even as the logical part of his mind said otherwise. Everyone looked at him and Cooper like they were a joke. But the laughs and disdain that greeted their arrival had faded, replaced with comments on how the guests never saw it coming, wouldn’t have believed it if they hadn’t seen it, wanted one in each hunting lodge.
They didn’t need to win the contest; they needed to impress the right aristocrat.
“If we lose, Cooper and I are willing to sell the designs for the rifle and the telescope.”
Lord Bolderwood shook his head once, lips in a firm line.
“It doesn’t matter if you can shoot five hundred yards, you won’t find a buyer. Your design is crude, but it can be refined. I’ve perused your folio.” He closedThe Bibleand edged it closer to Seth. “I’m not interested in the rifle as it stands. I want the future generations.”
