Page 49 of Make Mine a Marquess

He swallowed and fisted his hands in his lap. “Your fortune may change next time.”

They finished the game, playing for a good part of the afternoon until they risked the women waking from their afternoon naps.

He watched her leave, her skirts swaying over slightly rounded hips, her blond hair curling down her back. They both had different reasons for agreeing to ride. She might have lost the wager, but he recognized her boredom and her enjoyment of riding and her restlessness to escape the house. His reasons were to charm and seduce. He wondered which of them looked forward to their ride more.

…

Landon picked up a quill, dipped it in ink, then made a note on a piece of foolscap. He’d been going through his correspondence and studying the estate’s ledgers. The books had not been kept properly and he made a mental note to fire the steward and hire his own man.

He hadn’t found any more markings or notes regarding Willard’s possible accomplice. What he had found was the funneling of the estate’s money into Willard’s pockets rather than maintenance of the manor house, fixing the East Wing’s parapet, or caring for the tenants.

He’d asked Hobbs to summon the housekeeper at once.

Mrs. Robinson was out of breath when she entered the study. Her arms full of freshly folded sheets, she must have been intercepted on her way to the linen closet.

“Hobbs said you wanted to see me right away. Is there a problem, my lord?”

Landon frowned. “Not at all, Mrs. Robinson. I didn’t mean for my summons to be urgent.” He stood from behind his desk to take the sheets from her and set them down on the sofa. “I have a question and I believe you’re the one to help.”

Her wrinkled brow furrowed. “Is it the food? I told Cook not to make the ham last night and to prepare a roast.”

“No, no. The ham was delicious.”

“Then was it the lack of hot water for Lady Delmont’s bath? The footmen were too slow with the buckets.”

“It has nothing to do with Lady Delmont’s bath, either.” He held up a hand before she listed off another concern. “I’ve been spending time each evening getting the ledgers in order. Perhaps it’s needless to say, but my cousin has not been diligent in his oversight of the money or the records. It’s come to my attention that my tenants have been overlooked. I intend to remedy that situation. I’m riding out to visit some of them tomorrow. What do you suggest is the most imminent of their needs?”

Mrs. Robinson’s chest puffed with self-importance. “I’ll put together baskets with baked goods, fresh vegetables from the garden, and oranges and pomegranates. They’re a luxury that our orangery produces. Also, fresh linens.”

“And what do you think they will need that won’t fit into those baskets?”

“Their roofs need thatching, their braziers need coal for the upcoming winter, and the children always need coats and shoes,” she said.

“See? I knew to ask you. I had the roof and the coal on my list. I did not think of coats and shoes for the little ones.”

“Will you be riding by yourself? Or will Mr. Adian be going with you?” she asked.

“Mr. Adian is busy here. Miss Dawson and her cousin, Miss Stanwell, will accompany me.”

She placed her hands on her plump hips. “The baron doesn’t mind if his betrothed is spending time with you?”

Landon’s lips twitched. “I don’t believe he knows. Nor do I care.”

“She deserves better than your cousin,” Mrs. Robinson said.

“We are in agreement.”

“She also deserves better than being used.”

Landon carefully schooled his expression. “It’s just a ride to visit tenants.”

Mrs. Robinson watched him like a mother would her own offspring. “I’m aware of your backgammon afternoons, my lord.”

He should know better. The servants always had the keenest eyes and ears. Especially Mrs. Robinson.

“Your mother, the marchioness, isn’t alive, God rest her soul, but I’ve known you since you were in leading strings.”

“Say what you mean.”