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I tilted my head. “I suppose you’re right. Is there really a divide here?”
He unlocked his car and looked over the top of it before he nodded and got in.
I slipped into the passenger seat and waited for him to speak again.
After he’d pulled out of the car park, he said, “There’s quite the divide. About ninety years ago, my grandfather had some financial difficulties and was forced to sell off some of the unused farmland the estate owned. Back then, many politicians and wealthy families were hearing rumblings of the war and wanted to get out of the city, so they snapped up the country land for second homes.”
“Really?”
“Yes. They were sold off in increments of two-to-five acres, and they were able to build small country estates before the war started. Over time, they built onto them, some created businesses, and their families inherited them. Most are lived in full-time now, and they’re the wealthier residents. But you have to remember that a good portion of the people who live in Whitborough either live in the village itself or live on the land we own and are farmers.” Alex turned off, away from the village. “I’d say a good forty percent of people rent from the estate.”
“Wow. That’s a lot.”
“It is. My grandfather was able to turn the manor’s fortunes around after selling off some of the land, and my father was exceptionally good with numbers from a very young age. Grandfather took advantage of that, and then Papa invested well and bought up some property in the village when prices were low.” He indicated right and turned onto a single-track road I’d never seen before. “He saved a lot of people from eviction by automatically renting the properties to them, and for those who couldn’t afford all the rent, he had them do labour on our own personal farmland by way of payment.”
“That makes sense. He’d have to pay people anyway.”
“Exactly. Thankfully, it’s not something I have to deal with, as the agreements he put in place avoided that happening. New laws also work heavily in the favour of renters, which means it’s harder to evict people, but I wouldn’t want to evict anyone callously. I’d rather help them, if they needed it.”
I peered over at him. “You’re a good man, Alexander.”
He laughed, turning the car left. “I try to be. I try to follow the example set by my ancestors. After all, my grandfather sold off land to ensure the farmers didn’t have to relocate. I’ve turned more acres into farmland since then, and we now have twenty-seven small farms and smallholdings on the estate that all turn a profit.”
“Impressive. I can see why Henry holds your opinion in high regard.”
“Uncle Henry would be served far better if Gabriella were able to inherit the dukedom,” Alex said quietly, turning into the gates to the estate.
That was faster than the route I’d taken into the village. He’d have to show me that in the daylight.
And, you know. Sober.
“I daresay he wouldn’t hesitate to agree with you.”
Alex grunted. “My younger cousin is a lazy arse who needs a slap upside the head. If, God forbid, anything should happen to Uncle Henry and he had to inherit tomorrow, he’d be absolutely bolloxed because he’s a bloody moron.”
Apparently, I’d hit a touchy spot.
“I find myself hard-pressed to disagree with you,” I said softly. “I completely agree. It’s a shame that the law favours male primogeniture. Gabriella is much better placed to inherit Arrowwood Hall, and I daresay Olympia is with Bentley Manor.”
He pulled into the garage and sighed. “Yes, well, that’s another matter, isn’t it?” He turned off the engine and looked at me with a tight smile. “Come on. Let’s get you a cup of tea and some Ibuprofen before you go to bed.”
“Excellent idea.” I got out of the car, almost slipping on the loose gravel. “You know, I’m really not that drunk.”
“No. That’s why you almost fell out of the car.”
“I did not fall out of the car. It’s the gravel. I lost my footing. See? It’s easy.” I made a show of digging my foot into the gravel to make my point and slipped again.
“That’s enough of that.” Alex grabbed my elbow with a chuckle. “Just walk normally. How badly did they corrupt you?”
“Three glasses of wine.” I paused. “I think there was a Horny Devil in there, too.”
“A what now?”
“A Horny Devil. It’s a shot, Mr. Prim and Proper.”
His smirk flashed in his eyes. “And what would your mother, Lady Victoria, say if she could see you now?”
I grinned. “She’d ask me why I didn’t invite her.”
His laugh was so deep and rich that it rolled right over my skin, and a shiver ran down the back of my neck. “Do you know what? You’re probably right.” He opened the door and held it for me.
