The Heart of a Duke(21)
“Running a company is not so different from running an estate,” her father said, cutting her off. “There are men to manage, finances to be addressed, products to be obtained whether they are acquired through mills or farming.” He paused and his eyes narrowed on Daniel. “Have you visited Bedford Hall yet?”
“No,” Daniel replied after a slight hesitation. “To be honest, I was just discussing with Robbie Tanner my plans for the duration of my visit. Bedford Hall came up, but Robbie informed me that my brother is away hunting in Kent.”
“Yes,” the earl conceded. “However, that might be to your advantage, as Bedford is proprietary about his estate and has a right to be. That being said, you are family and Julia is his fiancée. As such, I doubt your visiting the property should arouse his ire. If you combined your keen head for business with Julia’s talent for estate management, the two of you can assess matters, or at least determine the root of the tenants’ concerns that have come to my attention. Together you can present your findings to Bedford and get the man to listen, as he refuses to do with me. Of course, Emily will join you as well.”
Julia stared at her father, but when she glanced at Daniel, he appeared as stunned as she.
Daniel recovered more quickly, for a dazzling smile split his handsome features. “That’s a brilliant idea, I’d be delighted to assess matters with Lady Julia and help in any capacity that I can. That is, if she is willing to accept my assistance and my company.” He lifted a brow, awaiting her response.
He appeared thoroughly amused at her quandary.
She also recognized a challenging gleam in his eyes, as if he were tossing a gauntlet at her feet. She met his gaze straight on, for she was no coward. While wary of any joint venture with Daniel, Bedford Hall was to be her home—that is if her Damn Duke ever set a wedding date. Taunton had shared with her the grievances of Edmund’s tenants. When she had questioned Edmund about the matter, he had assured her that the estate was turning a profit, and he had dismissed the matter with a haughty wave of his hand.
While she had not been successful, she balked at the idea of Daniel waltzing back, and like Homer’s Odyssey, setting everything to rights after a decade away. As if he was the only one who could.
She had managed Taunton Court for nearly two years. She could take care of Bedford Hall once she was married. If working with Daniel gave her a rare opportunity to assess what she would be facing, she would not squander it. She lifted her chin and snatched up the gauntlet. “Maybe Lord Bryant and I can talk to a few tenants and get a better understanding of their needs. They might speak more freely without Edmund’s presence, and once we have gathered some information, we can share it with Edmund.” Anticipation filled her at the prospect of doing something active. Finally.
“Good, then it is settled.” Her father appeared pleased. “Now then, I believe it is time for port. If you ladies will excuse us, I promise to keep an eye on the prisoner until your return,” he grinned.
“You might want to curtail Lord Bryant’s walk down the plank if you need his assistance for the foreseeable future,” Emily added as she stood with Julia.
“You are right. After a lesson on table manners, I will teach Jonathan the meaning of clemency.”
“I am indebted to you for your mercy,” Daniel said, his eyes on Julia. His gaze swept over her bare collarbones and dipped to linger briefly upon the round curves of her breasts.
His look left her breathless, as if she had run up a flight of stairs, and her resolve momentarily wavered. Had she been too hasty in agreeing to this idea? No, she had not. Together they could accomplish so much, and her growing anticipation reaffirmed her decision. It was the right one.
In the future, she would simply dress more appropriately.
Chapter Six
DANIEL did not know how the stars had aligned so that the next morning he found himself riding with the Chandler siblings to Bedford Hall. It was like Christmas morning had arrived early, and he had been given a precious gift.
Julia’s straight-backed figure rode sidesaddle ahead, Jonathan beside her on his pony. She wore a sky blue riding habit and a bonnet set at a jaunty angle on her head with a scattering of flowers adorning its rim.
As he admired her competent handling of Constance, he mulled over how to get into her good graces. He needed to do so in order to decipher her true feelings for his brother. He could then determine the best way to tell Julia her fiancé was a coldhearted, good-for-nothing bastard. She’d be better off ruined through the scandal of a broken engagement than through marriage to him.