“I was waiting for you.”
“Thank you for tidying my study.” Papa stroked Pepper’s head and stretched out an arm towards Kettle tentatively. AfterKettle tilted his head and made a soft sound, Papa caressed his head gently.
“I like being useful.”
“Is something the matter?” he said in a low voice because Kettle didn’t like harsh sounds.
“Lord Montcrest came here this morning.”
He stopped touching Kettle. “What?”
“Didn’t Doyle tell you?” she asked. “Montcrest was distressed and demanded to see you.”
“Did he upset you?”
“Not at all.” A little, but not in the way Papa imagined. “He was worried about a deal he had with you.”
“He shouldn’t have bothered you. Like his late father, he doesn’t care about rules of behaviour.” He started towards the door. “I’ll write him a message immediately.”
“Wait.” She went after him. “He’ll probably come back tomorrow.”
“Will he now? I don’t have any intention of seeing him. He can talk to my solicitor if he needs to communicate with me, but certainly, he shouldn’t come here uninvited.”
“Why did you refuse to sell him the land in Easthollow? You’ve always said that land was as useful as a rock.”
He patted her cheek. “Don’t worry about that. It’s nothing.”
“But his proposition sounded reasonable.”
“I really have to go.” Papa walked out of the room without waiting for her to finish.
She scowled at the closed door. Papa had never involved her in the management of the estate. Why would he? She didn’t have any training or knowledge about farming or stock market. But his abrupt departure was out of character as if she’d struck a nerve.
Lord Montcrest wasn’t a destitute man anymore. He didn’t need her help. But she would be lying if she said she didn’t wantto help him both because he was intriguing and because Papa’s reaction had been exaggerated. And, like Kettle, she was curious.
