“I am.”
“Well, I am here to take that burden away from you. I will take over the books at once,” Alden said.
Rather than look pleased, Miss Sidney grew visibly tense. “I do not consider running the horse farm to be burdensome. Has Lady Edith expressed displeasure with how I manage things?”
“No, but?—”
She spoke over him. “Then I propose we continue to keep things the way they are, at least for the time being.”
Alden had only just met Miss Sidney and didn’t wish to fight with her. He needed her help if he wanted to marry before the Twelfth Night. “Very well, but I will familiarize myself with the books,” he said.
Miss Sidney seemed pleased by his compromise. “That sounds fair enough.”
A maid stepped into the drawing room with a tray in her hand. She placed the tray on a table in front of Miss Sidney and asked, “Would you care for me to pour, Miss?”
“No, thank you,” Miss Sidney said. “I shall handle it.”
Rather than leave the room, the maid walked over to the corner and sat down on a chair, reaching for her needlework.
Miss Sidney reached for the teapot and asked, “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
“I would,” Alden replied.
Alden leaned forward to accept the cup and saucer and took a small sip of his tea. He needed to discuss a few things, and he knew they were rather delicate in nature. He cleared his throat. “I was wondering if you had another place to stay.”
A bemused look came to Miss Sidney’s face. “I beg your pardon?”
“Well, now that I am here, it is only befitting if I stay in the manor,” Alden replied. “It would be entirely inappropriate for you to reside with me.”
“I agree, but this is my home.”
“Itwasyour home,” Alden gently corrected. “It will soon be mine.”
Miss Sidney lowered the cup and saucer to the table. “Itmightbe yours soon and I have no desire to be displaced while we wait to see. Furthermore, Lady Edith informed me that you must be married to inherit. Are you engaged?”
Alden shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “No, I am not, but I hope to be soon enough.”
“Are you pursuing someone?”
“Not at this time,” Alden replied.
A line between Miss Sidney’s brow appeared. “I’m afraid I do not understand. How are you to be engaged soon if you have no prospects?”
Alden smiled, hoping to disarm her. “I was hoping you would help with that. There must be a young woman in the village who is looking for an advantageous marriage.”
Miss Sidney opened her mouth, but promptly closed it. A myriad of emotions crossed her face before she seemed to settle on one. But what it was, he could not say. Finally, she spoke. “I will help you.”
“Wonderful,” Alden said.
“But on one condition.” She paused. “My aunt and I will continue to reside here and you will stay at a charming cottage on the far side of the property in the woodlands.”
Alden nodded. “That is more than fair.”
“Thank you,” Miss Sidney said.
A figure covered in a white sheet with eyeholes cut out entered the room and sat silently by the window. Alden glanced questioningly at Miss Sidney, who seemed unperturbed. “That is my aunt, Mrs. Cecilia Hardy,” she explained.
He lowered his voice, so not to be overheard. “What is she doing?”
