A Woman of True Honor by Grace Burrowes

Author:Grace Burrowes [Burrowes, Grace]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781941419908
Publisher: Grace Burrowes Publishing
Published: 2020-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“I have considered the magistrate’s position,” Valerian said. “Might we discuss the particulars?” He stood before Grey’s desk, looking every inch the country squire in spotless riding attire. Actually, Valerian looked more impressive than a country squire, and Grey had yet to figure quite how his brother did that.

A touch of lace at his wrists, a particular shine to his boots, the exact cut of his riding jacket… and only Valerian could ride around the countryside on a dark horse and never sport a single horsehair on his linen.

“We can discuss the magistrate’s job only if your answer is yes,” Grey replied, putting down his pen. “Beatitude says if I must bribe you to take over from me, any inducement other than our firstborn is fair game.”

“You’re that miserable?”

“Yes, which doesn’t matter. Beatitude is that anxious for me to be free of the bother. The demolition on the family wing should have started a month ago, I have no idea what Oak has got up to over in Hampshire, and my new land steward seems to exist only to ask me questions I can’t answer. Then I must impose on Hawthorne for answers, and that good fellow is entirely absorbed in his own situation. Beatitude says we’re to invite you for supper.”

“Let’s enjoy some fresh air, shall we?” Valerian passed Grey a morning coat, which Grey had slung over the back of a reading chair.

Valerian’s polite suggestion that they take the air could be his way of ensuring that a difficult conversation wasn’t overheard or interrupted by a well-meaning countess. With Valerian, manners served as so many fig leaves shielding all manner of awkward moments.

Grey shrugged into his coat and accompanied Valerian onto the back terrace.

“What do you hear from Ash and Sycamore in London?” Valerian asked.

“Not a blessed thing. Jacaranda has reported to Beatitude, however, that our brothers appear to be in good health, and their enterprise is thriving. Thank God for a sunny day. That damned library manages to be dreary even in high summer.”

“Then don’t work there,” Valerian said, ambling down the steps into the formal parterres. “Use the earl’s study, which has the southern and eastern exposures.”

“Papa’s old study is Beatitude’s private parlor now. She needed the light for sewing baby clothes.” And Grey loved to drop in on her, catching her at her needlework in the window seat, or perched at her desk going over household accounts.

“Why can’t you both work in Papa’s old study?”

A fine idea. Perhaps Beatitude had been waiting for her husband to think of it? “Because I own everything you see, the lot of it, and my countess deserves to have a few spaces entirely under her dominion.”

“How do you suppose a humbler couple would divide up that dominion, Grey? Couples who have only a few rooms to call home?”

“What has this to do with you becoming the magistrate?”

“Maybe nothing.” Valerian took out his pocket watch as they approached the sundial. “I’ve proposed to Emily Pepper, and she has accepted.”

A significant burden, composed mostly of guilt, lifted from Grey’s heart.

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