Absolutely Perfect by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt [Holt, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cheryl Holt
Published: 2023-03-14T18:30:00+00:00

“Have you noticed I’m not limping anymore?”

Rose frowned at Nathaniel and said, “No. Since when?”

“Since I’ve been using your magical salve. The sore on my leg has healed and I’m feeling much better.”

“That’s marvelous news. Am I brilliant or what?”

He tsked with amusement. “I won’t fan your ego by concurring with your brash boast.”

“You’re distracting me so be silent. I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?” he asked. “From your dour expression, it’s clear I won’t like it, so please don’t annoy me.”

“You won’t like it, so don’t shout and don’t bite my head off. I’m just the messenger.”

They were in the master suite, in the sitting room, and seated at a table by the window. They were having a glass of wine, as if she was a lady of leisure instead of a servant he’d hired to tutor his son.

He was stepping over all sorts of lines that shouldn’t be crossed, and he might have been a condemned man who was rushing toward his date with the executioner. He had a few brief days to wallow in her delightful company before his engagement was announced. Once the news circulated, he doubted she’d ever speak to him again.

He’d hoped to convince her to be his mistress, but after significant deliberation, he’d had to accept that she’d never agree. He wouldn’t stop trying to wear her down, but he had to bind her in other ways, such as paying her to take care of Noah. He wasn’t certain such a scheme would succeed so his time with her might be winding to a close.

He was pretending he was eager to hear about her plans for Noah’s schooling, but it was August so it was ridiculous to suppose a rambunctious boy would be able to focus on any lessons. Nathaniel’s request for a report had simply supplied him with an excuse for them to be alone.

The mansion was huge, and there should have been plenty of spaces for a private encounter, but whenever he turned around, a servant was lurking. With it only being his second visit since he’d become earl, they were anxious to make a good impression. It wasn’t a secret that the estate was in bad fiscal shape so the members of the staff were worried about the future.

After he received Annette’s dowry, he’d have the funds to repair and rebuild, maybe even dole out raises, but thorough investigations would be necessary to determine how many people he should employ.

A large property always had too many workers so he had to meet with land agents, housekeepers, and others to calculate the number required for a smoothly functioning enterprise. At the moment, a detailed assessment, where he’d have to participate in conversations, review ledgers, and dicker over survey results, was simply beyond him. He’d much rather flirt with Rose Clark.

“Before you share your message,” he said, “may I tell you something I haven’t told anybody else?” Well, he’d told Christopher, but that didn’t count. “I wanted you to be the first to know.

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